Salary : $65,416.00 - $133,536.00 Annually
Location : Roswell, NM
Job Type: Career Appointment, Full-Time
Job Number: 3360, 40348, & 80365
Unit: 5th District-Chaves-Roswell
Division: 5th District-Chaves-Roswell
Opening Date: 06/23/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Objectives Summary
The objective summary for this job classification is to provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in areas of litigation, appeal, counsel, research and analysis.

Pay Information

***This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $4.55 hourly / $9,464.00 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflects geographical and retention pay incentives, as applicable to the position advertised.***

For more information about living in Roswell, New Mexico, .

Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.

Essential Functions
Criminal Defense Attorney PD2, PD3 or PD4:
Incumbent will be considered for a Public Defender 2, 3, or 4 classification. Classification will be determined at the time of hire based on applicant's job related qualifications and agency critical need.

Public Defender 2 (PD2):

• Attorneys at this level will handle a variety of misdemeanors and may assist in juvenile cases and youthful offender cases.
• May assist higher level attorneys with complex cases.
• Work is performed under the direction, guidance and supervision from more experienced colleagues and supervisor/manager.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 3 (PD3)

• Attorneys at this level should be able to represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to lower levels attorneys and law clerks.
• Works under the direction and guidance provided by higher level Attorneys and/or Managing Attorney.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 4 (PD4)

• Positions at this level handle felony cases such as burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes and probation violations with limited supervision.
• May handle more complex level felonies with some guidance/direction from a higher level attorney/managing attorney.
• Has acquired sufficient knowledge and/or experience to handle an appellate caseload.
• Has knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction from higher level Attorneys.
• Provides guidance and advice to lower level attorneys.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: An employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD4, PD3, PD2 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD4.
Minimum Qualifications
PD2: Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court.

PD3: Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.

PD4: Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Exempt.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.
The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits - including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. The State's Group Benefits Plan also offers COBRA, Flexible Spending Account Programs, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator. They provide benefits administration to all plan participants, and offer knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. To learn more about the benefits available please

In addition to the benefits listed above, the Law Offices of The Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees. For more information regarding the plan you can visit the following websites:
Total Compensation Package

As an employee of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD), you receive regular pay for your services. The other part of your total compensation is the value of the benefits LOPD makes available to you and, if applicable, your family. The Total Compensation Estimator is for illustrative purposes only and provides benefits-eligible employees an estimate of their total compensation based on selected options from the drop-downs in the estimator.

• Please to download the Total Compensation Estimator on our , Join Our Team section.

This estimator is not a legal document. All benefits are governed by the actual benefit plans, which have precedence over the information reported in this calculator. Rates are not guaranteed and may change annually based on legislative decisions. If you have any questions about this estimator, don't hesitate to get in touch with Human Resources at
01

CDA Q:1Which of the following do you possess:

• Current licensure as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico
• Current license in good standing from another state and eligible to apply for Public Employee Limited License pursuant to Rule 15-304 NMRA.
• None of the above