$37.19 - $66.94 Hourly
$77,354 - $139,238 Annually
This position is a Pay Band LH
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 Top Workplace in 2023 and 2024 and a National Top Workplace in 2024! To learn more about why the Land Office was voted No. 1 (midsize employers) in New Mexico, and about the great benefits offered by the agency, copy and paste the below link into your browser:

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 & 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: Legal Division; Environmental Compliance Office (Surface Resources Division); other components of the Surface Resources Division; Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Commercial Resources Division; and executive State Land Office management (Office of the Commissioner).
External: New Mexico public schools, universities and hospitals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights of ways); other agency permittees and grantees; other government entities (state, federal, tribal, local).
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
-Significant litigation experience and strong litigation skills (research, written and oral advocacy, case management, strategic planning)
-Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of professional settings (court advocacy, presentations to constituents/stakeholders, teams within agency)
-Demonstrated interest in the agency's efforts to protect state trust land and natural resources
-Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines/project needs
-Comfort and proficiency with creative problem-solving
Minimum Qualification
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school 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
Employment Requirements
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
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 or standing.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Alicia Montao, (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.