Assistant County Attorney I

Assistant County Attorney I

Salary

$86,590.40 - $103,896.00 Annually

Location

Santa Fe, NM

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202600385

Department

County Manager

Division

Legal Administration

Opening Date

10/14/2026

Closing Date

10/24/2026 5:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NON-UNION

Department Contact Information

Rachel Brown 505-986-6326

Union Eligibility

Position is not covered by any Collective Bargaining Agreement in Santa Fe County

Budget Amount

49.95

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Primary Purpose

Performs governmental legal work of the highest degree of professional complexity and difficulty.

Essential Job Functions

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Supplemental Information

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.

Santa Fe County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Santa Fe County to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, age, physical or mental handicap, sex, national origin, ancestry, religion, serious medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or political affiliation.

Santa Fe County is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time and part-time employees who work 20 hours per week. You will receive plan booklets, which give you more detailed information about each of these programs.

BENEFITS OFFERED

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Gym Membership

To learn more details, visit our website:

• Health Benefits
• Leave and Retirement
• Additional Employee Benefits
• Employee Development Program

01

Are you licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico.

• Yes
• No

02

If you are not licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico, are you eligible to apply for and be granted a limited license pursuant to Rule 15-301.1 NMRA prior to the start of employment with the County?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Santa Fe County

Address 102 Grant Avenue

Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501

Phone (505) 992-9880

Website https://www.santafecountynm.gov/human_resources