Chief of Commission Advisory Services Section

State of New Mexico; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of New Mexico seeks a Section Chief for Commission Advisory Services within the Governor’s Exempt Service. The role reports to the Chief of Staff and leads the advisory team including the Office of Technical Analysis and Policy, Commission Counsel, and Hearing Examiners.

Responsibilities include guiding operations, supervising staff, refining processes, training, and coordinating with divisions to advance regulatory goals while ensuring alignment with the agency’s strategic agenda.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Experience with appellate and regulatory law and strong policy experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the section's operations and contribute to organizational strategy.
• Oversee section staff, workloads, decisions, and priorities; support divisions in day-to-day operations.
• Ensure operational excellence and drive continuous improvement through section standards.
• Collaborate across divisions to align objectives with the agency's strategic agenda.
• Provide training and mentorship on reviewing cases and delivering advice to the Commission.
• Present advice and recommendations to the Commission on legal, statutory, and constitutional duties.
• Manage resources, personnel, and workflows to meet day-to-day and long-term needs.
• Maintain knowledge of the state legislative process and support agency programs.
• Advise and assist in development of rules and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff.

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Nature of Work:

Chief of Commission Advisory Services serves the New Mexico Public Regulation

Commission and its Commissioners, reporting directly to the Chief of Staff. The Chief of

Commission Advisory Services Section is in the Governor Exempt Service and is an “at will”

position.

The Section Chief will provide oversight and support to the Commission Advisory Staff,

including the Office of Technical Analysis and Policy, the Office of Commission Counsel and

the Office of Hearing Examiners.

In coordination with Division Directors, the Section Chief also is responsible for ensuring

appropriate development of advisory staff.

This position will be responsible for:

• In coordination with and under the oversight of the Chief of Staff, leading the section’s operations while contributing directly to organizational strategy.
• Overseeing the supervision of section staff, workloads, operational decisions, and section-level strategic priorities. Supporting the Division Directors in managing the day-to-day operations of Advisory Divisions.
• Ensuring operational excellence. Identifying opportunities for the section’s work to support broader organizational goals and adjusts processes to drive continuous improvement. Developing section standards related to advisory functions of the agency.
• Working across divisions to ensure the section’s objectives support the organization’s strategic agenda. Promoting effective collaboration where appropriate among agency staff and the Commission.
• Providing training and mentorship to staff on reviewing and analyzing case filings, delivering advice to the Commission, preparing written work product, conductingpost-performance case evaluations, and responding to state and federal Notices of Inquiry and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking.
• Supporting the section in presenting advice and recommendations to the Commission regarding the Commissions legal, statutory and constitutional duties. Determining how resources, personnel, and workflows align with both day-to-day needs and long-term strategic direction. Providing direction for sensitive operational and budgetary issues.
• Maintaining knowledge of the state legislative process and support agency programs, goals, and long-term plans.
• Advising and assisting the Commission in the development of rules and policies.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Knowledge of government operations and the legislative process
• Strong community engagement and public service orientation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Leadership, collaboration, and staff development abilities
• Familiarity with state statutes and regulations governing utilities
• Experience with regulatory proceedings
• Experience with team development

Recommended Education and Experience Standards

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and seven (7) years of experience, including at least four (4) years administrative or regulatory experience and two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Experience with appellate and regulatory law as well as strong policy experience is preferred