Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY.

Serve as in-house counsel to the County.  Direct, manage, supervise and coordinate the activities of the legal department and risk management unit; provide legal services to the County; analyze and mitigate potential risks to the County, including procurement of insurance coverage and implementation/monitoring of policies, procedures, and programs to reduce risks to County personnel and property.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES. 

• Oversee long-range legal planning for the County. Provide written and oral presentations on operational and long-range planning to all levels of the organization.

• Analyze and coordinate legal and risk management strategy, policies and procedures.

• Provide information to departments for departmental planning and operation.

• Monitor legal/risk management departmental expenditures to ensure department operates within budget while meeting their goals and objectives.

• Participate as a member of the County’s management team. Coordinate with other departments to integrate projects of mutual concern. Provides input to senior staff to improve the level and quality of services.

• Manages and directs the daily administrative operations of the Legal Department and Risk Management Unit to include assigning and reviewing case work of all county attorneys, paralegals and Risk Manager.

• Represent the Board of County Commissioner, County management and/or designated clients, as assigned in state and federal courts as well as judicial and administrative bodies.

• Advise the County Manager and Commissioners on all County legal matters and attend various administrative meetings.

• Supervise or direct the work of outside counsel or contract counsel representing the County.

• Oversee, prepare, and manage the preparation of legal opinions in regard to the status of statutory law and the common law as well as administrative practices.

• Serve as advisor for various complex personnel matters.

• Provide legal advice to various departments of County Government, as requested.

• Supervise and perform legal research.  

• Provide oral and written legal opinions on various legal issues.

• Supervise personnel in the Legal Department and Risk Management Unit, and the Internal Affairs Investigator(s).  Assign and monitor staff work to ensure accuracy and timeliness. 

• Prepare and implement the department budget. Monitor department budget to ensure the department operates within budget while meeting goals and objectives.

• Prosecute violations of County ordinances and represent the County in civil matters.

• Represent the County as lead negotiator in labor negotiations. 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES.  Other duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS.

A.  Education.  A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a valid license to practice law in the State of New Mexico or be eligible to receive a limited license to practice law under Rule 15-304 NMRA and obtains such license within 45 days of beginning employment.

B.  Experience.  Applicant work history must include eight (8) years 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.  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 or eligible to obtain limited license under Rule 15-304 NMRA. Valid driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record in accordance with County policy.

E.  Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver’s license record, etc.). Background check and driver’s license check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

Knowledge: Must be knowledgeable of state and federal law, particularly administrative and regulatory functions; legal research techniques; principles of risk management, particularly insurance coverage and procurement of insurance; management/supervisory principles/practices; and negotiation and mediation principles.

Skills and Abilities: Must have skill in representing the County in a variety of proceedings; using independent judgment in various situations and determining appropriate action; researching, analyzing and applying law; drafting documents using proper format, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with others.

Compensation Range

$140,000.00 - $149,276.00

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.