$39.11 - $62.58 Hourly

$81,349 - $130,159 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C11

Posting Details

This position can be based in two of the Division's locations: Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

The Oil Conservation Division of EMNRD regulates oil and gas activity in New Mexico. The Division's core responsibilities include issuing permits for new wells, enforcing state and division rules, collecting data on well production, managing the spill reporting process, ensuring abandoned wells are properly plugged, and requiring the responsible restoration of land affected by oil and gas operations.

This position is assigned to provide primary legal support to the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) and is part of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), which provides legal representation, guidance, and support to all EMNRD divisions. The OGC ensures the Department's programs operate in accordance with state and federal law, supports rulemaking and policy development, manages litigation, and advises senior leadership.

As a valued new employee to EMNRD, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave balances right from your start date.

Why does the job exist?

This position provides comprehensive legal services to the OCD on behalf of the Office of General Counsel. Provide legal advice, representation, and advocacy for EMNRD and OCD including advice and representation regarding complex, difficult, and sensitive oil and gas regulatory issues. Provide advice regarding the interpretation of statutes including the Oil and Gas Act and Water Quality Control Act, rules governing oil and gas development and production, oil and gas permits, and orders issued by the OCD, Oil Conservation Commission (OCC), and state and federal courts.

Assist in the coordination and implementation of OCD compliance and enforcement programs and represent the OCD in compliance and enforcement actions.

How does it get done?

Provide legal advice and support to Oil Conservation Division (OCD) employees and management and legal and policy advice in complex and difficult oil and gas regulatory situations to the senior Department officials, including the General Counsel. The position will:

(1) coordinate development and preparation of OCD's compliance actions including obtaining orders to plug inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells and recover any financial assurance;

(2) provide legal advice and representation on various issues within OCD, including procurement (Federal and State) and Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA);

(3) handle a considerable legal workload including compliance actions before OCD hearing examiners, the Oil Conservation Commission, and the Water Quality Control Commission;

(4) be responsible for complaints brought in the district courts to enforce settlement agreements, OCD compliance orders, and other actions to remedy violations of the Oil and Gas Act and other statutes OCD is responsible for enforcing;

(5) provide quality legal advice, representation, and advocacy for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and for other programs as may be assigned.

(6) Other duties as assigned

Who are the customers?

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in protecting natural resources, public health, the environment, and groundwater resources of New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who understands the legal aspects of the oil and gas industry. The ideal candidate should have:

- Juris Doctorate Degree
- Licensed as a New Mexico Attorney
- Project Management
- Litigation Experience

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.

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).

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required.

Supplemental Information

Benefits:

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Agency Contact Information: Jesse Tremaine, 505 231-9312 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.