Job Description
Posting Details
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
The NM State Land Office was named a Regional Top Workplace in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and a National Top Workplace in 2024 and 2025! To learn more about why the Land Office was voted a Top Workplace, and about the great benefits offered by the agency, copy and paste the below link into your browser:
https://www.nmstatelands.org/job-opportunities/
The NM State Land Office has a Non-Emergency Telework Policy, which allows eligible employees to telework up to twenty-four (24) hours a week consistent with the agency's business needs.
As a valued State Land Office employee, you will receive a hiring bonus of forty (40) hours of leave at your start date to be used at any time. This is in addition to standard leave accrual for employees.
Why does the job exist?
The core mission of the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) is to responsibly generate revenue through a wide array of leasing activities on state trust lands on behalf of public schools, universities and hospitals, while stewarding the land for future generations. The person selected for this position will join a dedicated team of attorneys and project staff, and will play an important role in fulfilling the agency's mission through litigation, rule revisions, policy development, and work on special projects. This position will devote significant time to the agency's Accountability and Enforcement program (which we established to ensure the responsible use of state trust land and the cleanup and reclamation of state trust land).
How does it get done?
Key responsibilities include drafting pleadings, briefs, and other litigation papers; oral advocacy in court and other forums (e.g. administrative tribunals, legislative hearings, public meetings); successfully managing all other aspects of the attorney's active litigation docket (including depositions, coordination with experts, trial preparation); case management and project management; policy development; working with the agency's leasing divisions and executive management to revise administrative rules and work processes; spotting and developing opportunities to expand the agency's strong commitment to protecting public lands and resources.
Who are the customers?
Internal: Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Administrative Services; Commercial Division; Legal Division; Surface Resources Division; and executive State Land Office management officials (Office of the Commissioner).
External: New Mexico public schools, universities and hospitals; individuals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights-of-ways); natural resource authorization users; program enrollees; hunters; other government entities (state, federal, city, county, tribal).
Ideal Candidate
Internal: Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Administrative Services; Commercial Division; Legal Division; Surface Resources Division; and executive State Land Office management officials (Office of the Commissioner).
External: New Mexico public schools, universities and hospitals; individuals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights-of-ways); natural resource authorization users; program enrollees; hunters; other government entities (state, federal, city, county, tribal).
Minimum Qualification
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited-license/.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer to include working with computers, faxes, copiers and printers, and phone usage with extended periods of sitting, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, kneeling and crawling. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Some travel may be required.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Alicia Monta?o, (505) 476-4649, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
The NM State Land Office was named a Regional Top Workplace in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and a National Top Workplace in 2024 and 2025! To learn more about why the Land Office was voted a Top Workplace, and about the great benefits offered by the agency, copy and paste the below link into your browser:
https://www.nmstatelands.org/job-opportunities/
The NM State Land Office has a Non-Emergency Telework Policy, which allows eligible employees to telework up to twenty-four (24) hours a week consistent with the agency's business needs.
As a valued State Land Office employee, you will receive a hiring bonus of forty (40) hours of leave at your start date to be used at any time. This is in addition to standard leave accrual for employees.
Why does the job exist?
The core mission of the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) is to responsibly generate revenue through a wide array of leasing activities on state trust lands on behalf of public schools, universities and hospitals, while stewarding the land for future generations. The person selected for this position will join a dedicated team of attorneys and project staff, and will play an important role in fulfilling the agency's mission through litigation, rule revisions, policy development, and work on special projects. This position will devote significant time to the agency's Accountability and Enforcement program (which we established to ensure the responsible use of state trust land and the cleanup and reclamation of state trust land).
How does it get done?
Key responsibilities include drafting pleadings, briefs, and other litigation papers; oral advocacy in court and other forums (e.g. administrative tribunals, legislative hearings, public meetings); successfully managing all other aspects of the attorney's active litigation docket (including depositions, coordination with experts, trial preparation); case management and project management; policy development; working with the agency's leasing divisions and executive management to revise administrative rules and work processes; spotting and developing opportunities to expand the agency's strong commitment to protecting public lands and resources.
Who are the customers?
Internal: Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Administrative Services; Commercial Division; Legal Division; Surface Resources Division; and executive State Land Office management officials (Office of the Commissioner).
External: New Mexico public schools, universities and hospitals; individuals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights-of-ways); natural resource authorization users; program enrollees; hunters; other government entities (state, federal, city, county, tribal).
Ideal Candidate
Internal: Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Administrative Services; Commercial Division; Legal Division; Surface Resources Division; and executive State Land Office management officials (Office of the Commissioner).
External: New Mexico public schools, universities and hospitals; individuals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights-of-ways); natural resource authorization users; program enrollees; hunters; other government entities (state, federal, city, county, tribal).
Minimum Qualification
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited-license/.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer to include working with computers, faxes, copiers and printers, and phone usage with extended periods of sitting, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, kneeling and crawling. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Some travel may be required.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Alicia Monta?o, (505) 476-4649, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Qualification
Juris Doctor (JD)
Practice Areas & Specialty
Energy, Oil & Gas
Key skill Required
- Project Management
- Accountability
- Advocacy
- Authorization
- Classification
- Collective Bargaining
- Commitment
- Consistent
- Coordination
- Development
- Drafting
- Enforcement
- Leasing
- Litigation
- Management
- Office Management
- Policy Development
- Recruitment
- Trial Preparation
Designation
- Counsel
