Assistant County Attorney I

Santa Fe County • Santa Fe, NM

5h • Onsite

About The Position

Performs governmental legal work of the highest degree of professional complexity and difficulty. Provides legal representation and advice to County elected officials, management, and staff across areas including zoning and land use, utilities, corrections, human resources, community services, procurement, contracts, real estate and property, code enforcement, and water law. Represents the County in judicial and administrative proceedings and appeals, handles litigation and transactional work, and advises on legal strategy. May attend meetings of County boards and commissions and represents the County in personnel matters. Work is primarily in an office, with some community and outdoor fieldwork; occasional exposure to hostile individuals and environmental conditions may occur.

Requirements

• Be licensed to practice law in New Mexico, or obtain a limited license pursuant to Rule 15-301.1 NMRA before starting employment; continued qualification depends on maintaining the applicable license.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Knowledge of New Mexico law and relevant federal law.
• Superior demonstrated skill and expertise in legal research, writing, and problem solving.
• Ability to organize facts, evidence, and precedents and present information clearly and logically in oral presentations or written materials.
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with the public and establish positive working relationships with elected officials, employees, court personnel, coworkers, and the public.
• Ability to independently manage a diverse workload with shifting priorities.
• Ability to collaborate with others and accept direction and decision-making from the Deputy County Attorney and/or County Attorney.
• Ability to operate word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and other software in a Windows environment, including Westlaw, OneSource, Outlook, and the SF County Ordinance lookup.
• Possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License.
• Submit to and pass a County-paid pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, and criminal background screening.
• Obtain and/or maintain all required certifications.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds; long- and short-distance visual clarity is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or knowledge of local government law.
• Experience advising elected officials and local governmental entities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation and advice to County elected officials, management, and staff in a range of legal practice areas.
• Work with and direct outside counsel in judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Represent the County and County officials, management, and staff in judicial and administrative proceedings and appeals; prepare pleadings and other court papers and advise on legal strategy.
• Negotiate, prepare, and review transactional documents, including contracts, deeds, easements, settlements, mortgages, and notes.
• Negotiate and prepare intergovernmental agreements.
• Prepare and review proposed county ordinances, resolutions, regulations, and policies.
• Attend meetings of County boards and commissions as needed, including the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Santa Fe County Ethics Board, and Buckman Direct Diversion Board.
• Represent the County in personnel matters before the PELRB, EEOC, HRB, and arbitrators.
• Respond to public records requests and subpoenas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree