Closing Date: 4th November, 2026
Description:
Salary$30.11 - $45.16 Hourly
$62,624 - $93,936 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C8
Posting Details
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
This Posting May Be Used for Ongoing Recruitment and May Close at Any Time. Applicants Lists May Be Screened More than Once.
Applications Submitted Without Work Experience or A Resume Will Not Be Considered. if Attaching a Resume, Resume Must Include Dates of Employment for Each Job (month & Year) and Details of Work Experience/Job Duties*
This Position Offers a Fixed Salary Of $33.77 per Hour, Non-Negotiable.
Why does the job exist?
The Law Clerk will provide high-level support for the legal cases handled by the Children's Court Attorneys (CCAs) in abuse and neglect, fostering connections, Family in Need of Court-Ordered Services (FINCOS) and termination of parental rights cases. This position will direct, plan and perform complex technical legal work as an assistant to the CCAs in the unit. The Law Clerk will prepare legal documents, such as termination of parental rights motions, abuse and neglect petitions and other pleadings for review and signature by CCAs. The Law Clerk will manage the meet and confer requirements for preparation of TPR trials, will conduct extensive legal research as directed by CCAs on legal issues arising in matters being handled by the CCAs, will handle difficult service of process issues for out-of-state or service in foreign countries and will prepare orders as directed by CCAs, circulate for approval by respondents' counsel and Guardian ad Litem (GALs), and finalize for filing with the court.
The Law Clerk will provide high-level support for the legal cases handled by the Children's Court Attorneys (CCAs) in abuse and neglect, fostering connections, Family in Need of Court-Ordered Services (FINCOS) and termination of parental rights cases. This position will direct, plan and perform complex technical legal work as an assistant to the CCAs in the unit. The Law Clerk will prepare legal documents, such as termination of parental rights motions, abuse and neglect petitions and other pleadings for review and signature by CCAs. The Law Clerk will manage the meet and confer requirements for preparation of TPR trials, will conduct extensive legal research as directed by CCAs on legal issues arising in matters being handled by the CCAs, will handle difficult service of process issues for out-of-state or service in foreign countries and will prepare orders as directed by CCAs, circulate for approval by respondents' counsel and Guardian ad Litem (GALs), and finalize for filing with the court.
How does it get done?
Maintain responsibility for accurate preparation and filing of legal documents at the direction of CCAs, including motions, TPRs, abuse and neglect petitions, orders, research memos, service of process in out of state or foreign countries.
Provide administrative support to the unit and provide back-up as directed for paralegal and secretarial staff
Minimum Qualification:
Enrollment in or graduation from a law school accredited by an appropriate accrediting body.
Employment Requirements:
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Dominic Lafayette, dominic.lafayette@cyfd.nm.gov. Email (dominic.lafayette@cyfd.nm.gov)
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position:
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Maintain responsibility for accurate preparation and filing of legal documents at the direction of CCAs, including motions, TPRs, abuse and neglect petitions, orders, research memos, service of process in out of state or foreign countries.
Provide administrative support to the unit and provide back-up as directed for paralegal and secretarial staff
Minimum Qualification:
Enrollment in or graduation from a law school accredited by an appropriate accrediting body.
Employment Requirements:
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Dominic Lafayette, dominic.lafayette@cyfd.nm.gov. Email (dominic.lafayette@cyfd.nm.gov)
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position:
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.