County Attorney- Legal

Job Description: PURPOSE SUMMARY. Serve as the County’s chief legal counsel and provide leadership and direction for the Legal Department. Direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the delivery of legal services to the County. Provide strategic legal advice and counsel to protect County interests, support effective operations, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES. 1. Legal Department Leadership and Administration Direct the daily operations of the Legal Department, including assigning and reviewing casework for county attorneys and paralegals and overseeing the countywide public records request process. Supervise Legal Department personnel and Internal Affairs Investigators, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, professional development, and adherence to applicable policies and procedures. Develop and implement long-range legal planning for the County and provide strategic written and oral presentations regarding operational planning to all levels of the organization. Serve as a member of the County management team and coordinate with departments to integrate cross-functional initiatives and support effective delivery of County services. Analyze and coordinate legal strategies, policies, and procedures to address County operations and emerging legal matters. Prepare, implement, and monitor the annual Legal Department budget to ensure responsible use of fiscal resources and achievement of departmental goals and objectives. Direct and evaluate outside or contract counsel representing the County. 2. Legal Counsel and Representation Advise the County Manager, Board of County Commissioners, and designated County clients on legal matters and attend public, executive, and administrative meetings as assigned. Provide comprehensive legal advice, conduct legal research, and prepare written and oral legal opinions for County departments. Oversee the preparation and management of legal opinions concerning statutory law, common law, administrative practices, and other matters affecting County operations. Represent the Board of County Commissioners, County management, and designated County clients in state and federal courts and before judicial and administrative bodies. Prosecute violations of County ordinances and represent the County’s interests in civil litigation matters. Advise the County on collective bargaining and labor negotiations, as assigned. Provide legal guidance on complex personnel matters and advise County management regarding applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. 3. Contracts, Property, and Regulatory Compliance Review, draft, and approve ordinances, resolutions, County contracts, leases, procurement agreements, and other legal documents for legal sufficiency and compliance with applicable law. Oversee County property management processes, including legal matters involving real estate, leases, deeds, easements, land and water rights purchases, property acquisitions and dispositions, and related agreements. Maintain a centralized record of property and water rights transactions and protect the County’s legal interests in property-related matters. Serve as the primary legal advisor regarding compliance with the Inspection of Public Records Act, Open Meetings Act, governmental ethics requirements, and other applicable laws and regulations governing County operations. Advise County departments and management regarding legal and regulatory requirements affecting the development and implementation of County programs, policies, and procedures. 4. Strategic Legal Support Evaluate complex legal issues and develop strategies that support the County’s legal interests, operational objectives, and compliance obligations. Coordinate legal services across County departments to promote consistent application of laws, policies, and legal practices. Monitor developments in federal and state law and assess their potential impact on County operations, policies, contracts, and programs. Develop and communicate recommendations regarding legal risks, emerging issues, and matters requiring executive or legislative action. ADDITIONAL DUTIES. Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS. A. Education. A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. B. Experience. Applicant work history must include eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law which includes litigation, appellate experience and the coordination of multiple assignments relating to litigation and advising clients on issues of legal compliance. Position requires five (5) years of experience supervising others. Prior local government legal experience and knowledge of law and concepts relevant to the operation of County government is preferred. C. Education/Experience substitution. N/A D. Licenses/Certifications. License to practice law in the State of New Mexico. If not licensed in New Mexico at the time of hire, must apply for a Public Employee Limited License under NMRA 15-304 and obtain a regular State of New Mexico bar license within one (1) year of the date of hire. Possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record in accordance with County policy. Valid driver’s license. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy. E. Other (e.g., post‑offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver’s license record, etc.). Must pass pre‑employment background check and driving record check. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION: Knowledge of: Federal and state laws, regulations, and legal principles applicable to county and local government operations. Constitutional, administrative, municipal, and public sector law applicable to the County. Advanced legal research methods, case law analysis, statutory interpretation, and legal analysis. Principles and practices of public sector management, administration, supervision, and organizational leadership. Principles and techniques of negotiation, collective bargaining, mediation, and dispute resolution. Laws and requirements governing public records, open meetings, governmental ethics, contracts, procurement, property transactions, and other areas affecting County operations. Principles and practices of litigation, civil procedure, and representation before judicial and administrative bodies. Skill in: Conducting complex legal research, analyzing legal issues, and applying applicable laws, regulations, and case law. Exercising independent judgment and critical thinking to evaluate complex legal and operational issues and determine appropriate courses of action. Providing strategic legal advice and counsel to elected officials, executive management, department leaders, and staff. Representing the County effectively in litigation, administrative proceedings, negotiations, and other legal matters. Drafting, reviewing, and interpreting complex legal documents, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and legal opinions. Negotiating and resolving complex legal matters while protecting the County’s legal and operational interests. Managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex legal matters in an environment with competing organizational needs. Ability to: Interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and legal principles to a broad range of County operations and circumstances. Communicate complex legal concepts, risks, and recommendations clearly and effectively in oral and written form to legal and non‑legal audiences. Exercise sound professional judgment and maintain appropriate confidentiality when addressing sensitive or complex legal matters. Develop practical legal strategies that support County operations while addressing legal and regulatory requirements. Establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and professional working relationships with elected officials, County management, department staff, outside counsel, public agencies, and the public. Prioritize and organize work effectively to meet deadlines and respond to changing legal and organizational needs. Compensation Range $154,000.00 - $165,000.00 Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists. Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see http://www.donaanacounty.org/ada/ for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.