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County Attorney

McKinley County, NM

Gallup, NM

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$122,595.20–$134,846.40 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Attorney, Bar Membership, Board Meeting, Budget Management, Budgeting, Case Law, Collective Bargaining, Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Conference Management, Conflict Resolution, Consulting, Continuous Improvement, Contract Law, Contract Negotiation, Contract Review, Cost Analysis, Cost Control, Data Collection, Disability Insurance, Driver's License, Educational Technology, Employee Assistance Plan, Employee Relations, Employment Law, Establish Priorities, Federal Laws and Regulations, Government, Government Contracts, Government Regulations, Industrial Relations, Information Technology & Information Systems, Internet Research, Interpersonal Skills, Labor Unions, Land Use, Leadership, Legal, Legal Documents, Legal Reports, Legal Research, Legal Support Skills, Life Insurance, Litigation, Litigation Settlement, Local Government, Maintain Compliance, Monitor Regulations, Multilingual, Multitasking, Negotiation Skills, Operational Audit, Operations Processes, Organizational Development/Management, Performance Analysis, Personal Injury, Pharmacy, Physical Demands, Policy Development, Policy Implementation, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Procedure Development, Program Evaluation, Project Tracking, Purchasing/Procurement, Radio News, Regulations, Research Skills, Resource Management, Risk Management, Set Goals, State Laws and Regulations, State Ordinances, Statistics, Strategic Planning, Team Player
LOCATION
Gallup, NM
POSTED
4 days ago
Salary: $122,595.20 - $134,846.40 Annually
Location : 207 West Hill Ave, Gallup NM
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600021
Department: Legal Department
Opening Date: 05/11/2026
Closing Date: 12/31/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Description

FOR BEST CONSIDERATION APPLY BY MAY 25, 2026 ***A RESUME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF A COMPLETED APPLICATION

SALARY RANGE: $122,595.20 - $134,846.40 ANNUALLY, COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE

DEFINITION: The purpose of this position is to represent the county in administrative, litigation, and settlement proceedings; managing litigation; and advising the County Commission, County Management, elected officials, department heads, and supervisors in various aspects of the laws of the State of New Mexico. Other responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating contracts; developing, reviewing, and revising policies and procedures; and performing other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Note: This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position. Additionally, please be aware of the legend below when referring to the physical demands of each essential function.

  1. Represent the County in administrative, litigation, and settlement proceedings by preparing memos, pleadings, and correspondence. Attend and participate in meetings, negotiations, and projects with other governments, agencies, and organizations involving the county. Communicate and research legal issues; prepare and conduct presentations to tribunals, organizations, and boards.
  2. Manage litigation and analyzes pleadings and evidence. Develop legal theories. Advises parties and principals on status of cases.
  3. Develop, review, and revise policies by researching, writing, editing, and reading policies, organizing policy content and procedures. Work with individuals, teams, and groups in determining needed outcomes of policies and planning implementation of provisions; and corresponding about the developed policy.
  4. Obtains, compiles, disseminates, and organizes needed information/statistics to communicate inquiries from and/or to media outlets i.e., radio and newspaper reporters.
  5. Plan, organize, coordinate, and direct assigned operations. Identify and monitor long and short-range goals and objectives. Evaluate a wide variety of issues; and recommend and/or implement solutions to safeguard the county's operations. Manage Legal Department performance and productivity. Direct the continuous improvement of the work products, assure the overall integrity of the support and functionality of provided services. Develop, evaluate, and manage assigned functions, budgets and projects.
  6. Represent the County in a variety of legal proceedings at the local, state, and federal level in administrative hearings or before courts. Manage legal issues by reviewing, approving and negotiating. Assure that legal issues are resolved within county policy guidelines. Review and evaluate pertinent decisions, policy regulations, and other legal matters. Attend Board of Commissioners meetings to provide legal advice and information, provide and present findings and recommendations.
  7. Consult and provide legal advice and counsel to County officials, employees, and departments. Conduct legal review and research to make recommendations on issues arising out of County policies, resolutions, ordinances, state and federal law, and other regulations. Negotiate agreements with opposing parties and council on behalf of the County. Assess and evaluate claims against the County, labor relations matters, contracts, leases, personnel matters, financial, personal injury, property matters, and criminal prosecutions. Anticipate problems and pursue solutions; establish legal strategies, identify policy and compliance issues, and propose solutions.
  8. Represent the County in litigation negotiations, settlements, and other legal proceedings. Provide legal assessments and recommendations, conduct factual and legal analysis to determine whether legal issues should be prosecuted or defended based on the facts of law and evidence. Coordinate and conduct conferences and remediation concerning settlement of cases. Conduct legal research, gather and compile legal instruments and documents. Identify and evaluate records and other information. Prepare and present various special and recurring reports, legal documents, analysis, and recommendations as requested and required.
  9. Develop and monitor legal department budget, approves budget expenditures. Prepare and review operational analysis of program costs.
  10. Monitor trends in law and risk management issues to recommend operational, procedural, and policy improvements. Direct and coordinate multi-jurisdictional issues. Manage, allocate, and coordinate numerous internal and external resources. Assure effective communication of issues and strategies.
  11. Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY CONROLS: Subject to an employment contract. Position requires managing and monitoring work performance of a division, including evaluating program/work objectives, effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals, realigning work and staffing assignments for the department.

WORKING CONDITIONS:Work is generally performed in an office setting. Extended and irregular hours may be required. Some travel may be required.

Please visit our McKinley County At-A-Glance webpage for a snapshot of the unique blend of economic opportunity, cultural richness, and unmatched outdoor access that our area has to offer:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
  • Member of the State Bar of New Mexico.
  • Five (5) years of experience in legal practice.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience with local government regulations and contracting procedures.
  • Experience with Employment Law.
  • Bilingual (Navajo, Spanish).
  • Experience working in the local/county government environment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations related to County operations.
  • Ability to use initiative and independent judgment with established procedural guidelines.
  • Ability to work effectively with elected officials, county departments, other governmental entities, consultants, the media and the public.
  • Ability to assess, prioritize, and delegate multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
  • Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships in bringing people together to solve problems.
  • Ability to prepare and administer budgets.
  • Ability to supervise, lead, and delegate tasks and authority.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with employees, officials, other agencies, and the public.
  • Skill in assuming executive level responsibilities and making appropriate decisions.
  • Skill in researching and identifying precedents in case law.
  • Skill in negotiating contracts and agreements.
  • Skill in litigating cases in legal hearings and courtroom settings.
  • Skill in reviewing and assessing legal issues and documents.
  • Skill in effectively assessing, interpreting, and applying complex criminal and civil law, information, evidence, and other data compiled.
  • Skill in utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research through online systems.
  • Skill in developing and implementing long-range plans and procedures for cost effective management of allocated resources.
  • Skill in working effectively with labor union leadership, and effectively negotiating in a union environment.
  • Skill in interpreting technical instructions and analyzing complex variables.
  • Knowledge and understanding of areas of the law related to government, which include, but are not limited to:
    • Open Meetings Act
    • Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)
    • Criminal Code and Procedure
    • Constitutional Rights
    • Public Employment Law
    • Procurement and Contract Law
    • Property and Land Use Law
    • Labor Relations/Collective Bargaining
    • Civil Procedure
    • Trial Practice
    • Administrative Law and Procedures
    • Information Technology
    • Conflict Resolution/Mediation
    • Leadership and Organizational Development
    • Parliamentary Procedure

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: Must possess a valid Driver's License at time of employment and be insurable for liability purposes.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: May be required to pass a post offer-of-employment physical examination.

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
McKinley County is proud to offer a full compensation benefits package. Below is a list of benefits offered through the SoNM Local Public Body to enhance the lives of eligible full-time employees and their qualified family members.
  • Medical
  • Pharmacy
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Paid Leave
  • Life & Disability Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Retirement (PERA)
  • Voluntary Benefits
  • Deferred Compensation Plan

To learn more details, visit our benefits page.
McKinley County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
and does not discriminate in hiring or promotion on the basis of race, color, national origin, political affiliation, religious faith or absence thereof, sex, age, handicap, or disability, or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran, in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws.
01

Please rate your knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations related to County operations.
  • No Knowledge
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

02

Please rate your knowledge and understanding of areas of the law related to government, which include, but are not limited to:o Open Meetings Acto Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)o Criminal Code and Procedureo Constitutional Rightso Public Employment Law o Procurement and Contract Lawo Property and Land Use Lawo Labor Relations/Collective Bargainingo Civil Procedureo Trial Practiceo Administrative Law and Procedureso Information Technologyo Conflict Resolution/Mediationo Leadership and Organizational Developmento Parliamentary Procedure
  • No Knowledge
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

03

Please rate your ability to use initiative and independent judgment with established procedural guidelines.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

04

Please rate your ability to work effectively with elected officials, county departments, other governmental entities, consultants, the media and the public.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

05

Please rate your ability to assess, prioritize, and delegate multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

06

Please rate your ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships in bringing people together to solve problems.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

07

Please rate your ability to prepare and administer budgets.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

08

Please rate your ability to supervise, lead, and delegate tasks and authority.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

09

Please rate your ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

10

Please rate your ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with employees, officials, other agencies, and the public.
  • No Ability
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

11

Please rate your skill in assuming executive level responsibilities and making appropriate decisions.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

12

Please rate your skill in researching and identifying precedents in case law.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

13

Please rate your skill in negotiating contracts and agreements.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

14

Please rate your skill in litigating cases in legal hearings and courtroom settings.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

15

Please rate your skill in reviewing and assessing legal issues and documents.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

16

Please rate your skill in effectively assessing, interpreting, and applying complex criminal and civil law, information, evidence, and other data compiled.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

17

Please rate your skill in utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research through online systems.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

18

Please rate your skill in developing and implementing long-range plans and procedures for cost effective management of allocated resources.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

19

Please rate your skill in working effectively with labor union leadership, and effectively negotiating in a union environment.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

20

Please rate your skill in interpreting technical instructions and analyzing complex variables.
  • No Skill
  • Very Little
  • Fair
  • Moderate
  • Exceptional

Required Question

About the Company

M

McKinley County, NM

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