Assistant County Attorney I

Santa Fe County; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe County is seeking an Assistant County Attorney I to perform governmental legal work of high complexity. You will represent the County and elected officials, provide legal advice across zoning, land use, contracts, real estate, and water law, and supervise outside counsel when needed.

You will prepare litigation pleadings, review intergovernmental agreements, draft ordinances, attend board meetings, respond to public records requests, and help manage a diverse workload while

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico or eligible for a limited license under Rule 15-301.1 NMRA prior to start of employment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Experience advising elected officials and local governmental entities is desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation and advice to County elected officials, management, and staff in areas including zoning and land use, contracts, real estate, and water law.
• Direct outside counsel in judicial and administrative proceedings and prepare litigation pleadings.
• Represent the County in personnel matters and respond to public records requests and subpoenas.
• Prepare and review ordinances, resolutions, regulations, and intergovernmental agreements.
• Attend meetings of County boards and commissions as needed.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Problem solving

Oral presentation

Public interaction

Time management

Team collaboration

Windows software

Education

Licensed to practice law in NM

Tools

Westlaw

OneSource

Outlook

Ordinance lookup

Microsoft Word

Job description

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 in numerous areas of legal practice, including zoning and land use, utilities, corrections, human resources, community services, procurement, contracts, real estate and property, code enforcement, and water law.
• Works with and directs outside counsel in judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Represents the County and County elected officials, management and staff in judicial and administrative proceedings and appeals, prepares litigation pleadings and other court papers, and advises on legal strategy.
• Negotiates, prepares and reviews various transactional documents, including contracts, deeds, easements, settlements, mortgages, and notes.
• Negotiates and prepares intergovernmental agreements.
• Prepares and reviews proposed county ordinances, resolutions, regulations, and policies.
• As needed, attends meetings of County boards and commissions, including the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Santa Fe County Ethics Board, and Buckman Direct Diversion Board.
• Represents the County in personnel matters, before the PELRB, EEOC, HRB and arbitrators.
• Responds to public records requests and subpoenas.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Knowledge of New Mexico law and relevant federal law. Experience or knowledge of local government law is preferable.
• Superior demonstrated skill and expertise in legal research, writing and problem solving.
• Superior skill in organizing facts, evidence and precedents; capable of presenting material in a clear and logical form for oral presentations or in such written media as memoranda, briefs, contracts, deeds or agreements.
• Capable of working with members of the public in diverse settings in a professional and effective manner; capable of establishing positive and professional working relationships with Elected Officials, employees, court personnel, coworkers and the public.
• Capable of managing a diverse workload with shifting priorities independently.
• Capable of working collaboratively with others within the office, as well as able to accept direction and decision making from the Deputy County Attorney and/or County Attorney.
• Capable of operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, database, and other software programs in a Windows environment, including Westlaw, OneSource, Outlook, and SF County Ordinance lookup.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico or apply for and be granted a limited license pursuant to Rule 15-301.1 NMRA prior to the start of employment with the County. If the limited license is not granted, or the limited license is revoked or suspended after the start of employment, the employee will cease to be qualified for the position of Assistant County Attorney I and will be terminated from employment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Experience advising Elected Officials and local governmental entities is desired.

Working Conditions:

Work is primarily in an office environment. Some work is performed in the community. Some fieldwork may be required outdoors in various weather conditions with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Work may occasionally include exposure to hostile individuals and use of protective clothing, equipment, devices, and materials. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear. Will be required to work some evenings and weekends. May be subject to exposure to CRTs, VDTs and UV rays. Ability to lift up to 20lbs. Clarity of vision at long distance and short distance required.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver's License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties. Candidate must obtain and/or maintain all certifications required.