Closing Date: 14th September, 2026
Description:
Salary$46.33 - $74.12 Hourly
$96,358 - $154,173 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C12
Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
***Applications submitted without work experience, or a resume will not be considered. If attaching a resume, the resume must include dates of employment for each job (month & year) and details of work experience/job duties. Please make sure to attach transcripts, degree, or licensure if required in the minimum qualifications. *****
OSE/ISC participates in the federal E-Verify program and will use this system to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. They must provide identification to confirm work eligibility on their first day of work.
To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website: https://www.ose.nm.gov/
OSE/ISC participates in the federal E-Verify program and will use this system to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. They must provide identification to confirm work eligibility on their first day of work.
To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website: https://www.ose.nm.gov/
Why does the job exist?
This position serves as an attorney representing the State, through the State Engineer, in water rights adjudications in Northern New Mexico and the Pecos River basin. This includes all elements of litigating and negotiating claims. This position also provides additional legal advice to the Office of the State Engineer as required.
This position serves as an attorney representing the State, through the State Engineer, in water rights adjudications in Northern New Mexico and the Pecos River basin. This includes all elements of litigating and negotiating claims. This position also provides additional legal advice to the Office of the State Engineer as required.
How does it get done?
This posting seeks attorney applicants that will be assigned to the Northern/Pecos Adjudication Bureau. This Bureau is within the Litigation and Adjudication Program.
The attorney will work with the water rights adjudication bureau and also with hydrographic survey technical professionals to prepare, offer, negotiate and, if need be, litigate, for the judicial determination of surface and underground water rights, with both represented and pro se claimants.
The attorney will provide legal advice to policy makers on matters impacting the agency and the state; explain and/or interpret the law to agency personnel; advise policy makers as to the legal appropriateness of proposals and potential actions or courses of action; research, analyze and interpret changes in legislation, laws, rules, court decisions and precedents to determine, anticipate, evaluate and assess possible agency impact; analyze proposed legislation as requested, and participate on management teams to develop and implement strategic plans to meet the agency mission.
The attorney can also expect to be involved in negotiating settlement agreements to resolve major cases and disputes, in some cases representing the State of New Mexico and the agency in complex and highly sensitive water right settlement negotiations with Indian tribes, pueblos and nations.
This posting seeks attorney applicants that will be assigned to the Northern/Pecos Adjudication Bureau. This Bureau is within the Litigation and Adjudication Program.
The attorney will work with the water rights adjudication bureau and also with hydrographic survey technical professionals to prepare, offer, negotiate and, if need be, litigate, for the judicial determination of surface and underground water rights, with both represented and pro se claimants.
The attorney will provide legal advice to policy makers on matters impacting the agency and the state; explain and/or interpret the law to agency personnel; advise policy makers as to the legal appropriateness of proposals and potential actions or courses of action; research, analyze and interpret changes in legislation, laws, rules, court decisions and precedents to determine, anticipate, evaluate and assess possible agency impact; analyze proposed legislation as requested, and participate on management teams to develop and implement strategic plans to meet the agency mission.
The attorney can also expect to be involved in negotiating settlement agreements to resolve major cases and disputes, in some cases representing the State of New Mexico and the agency in complex and highly sensitive water right settlement negotiations with Indian tribes, pueblos and nations.
Who are the customers?
Customers include the State of New Mexico, State Engineer, other OSE programs and staff, the OSE Hearing Unit, and the public.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have experience with:
Minimum Qualification:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted.
Employment Requirements:
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
This position is required to drive a state vehicle. This position is required to drive a state vehicle. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico 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 within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting where an employee will be required to come into the office. The job requires employee to follow safety protocols at all times. Meeting administrative and judicial deadlines may occasionally be stressful and require work beyond the ordinary forty hours per week. Use of typical office equipment required, for example; copying machines, computers, telephone, fax machine and calculator, as well as familiarity with conventional office software for drafting and calendaring.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Julie Park, Attorney Supervisor 505-637-2848 Email (julie.park@ose.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.
Customers include the State of New Mexico, State Engineer, other OSE programs and staff, the OSE Hearing Unit, and the public.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have experience with:
- Water rights and natural resource issues, especially New Mexico's constitutional prior appropriation system; New Mexico water law experience is preferred but not required.
- Experience representing agencies and clients before administrative tribunals and/or in court;
- Drafting and editing legal documents such as motions, interrogatories and briefs, including legal research and synthesis;
- Working in cooperation with lawyers and non-lawyers to understand, articulate and implement public agency policy; and
- Working with technical, engineering, hydrological and other scientific experts.
Minimum Qualification:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted.
Employment Requirements:
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
This position is required to drive a state vehicle. This position is required to drive a state vehicle. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico 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 within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting where an employee will be required to come into the office. The job requires employee to follow safety protocols at all times. Meeting administrative and judicial deadlines may occasionally be stressful and require work beyond the ordinary forty hours per week. Use of typical office equipment required, for example; copying machines, computers, telephone, fax machine and calculator, as well as familiarity with conventional office software for drafting and calendaring.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Julie Park, Attorney Supervisor 505-637-2848 Email (julie.park@ose.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.