What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant/Deputy County Attorney position at Otero County?
Assistant/Deputy County Attorney
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Experience Required: Two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience, with public sector experience a plus.
Minimum Education Requirements: The degree of Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university; plus, other advanced training in business management or public administration.
Department: Legal
Direct Supervisor: County Attorney
Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0); Indirect (0)
Primary Work Location: Works inside in an office setting.
Certification: Must be licensed by the New Mexico State Bar to practice law in the State of New Mexico. Must possess a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
Job Summary: Serves as assistant attorney to the County Attorney. Represents the County in all matters assigned by County Attorney; primary responsibilities will include prosecuting violations of County ordinances, research and memo drafting regarding a variety of administrative county issues, drafting ordinances, resolutions and transactional documents such as letters, memos, deeds and contracts, reviewing and submitting all tort claims, coordinating all document requests, reviewing and redacting requested documents, reviewing outside litigation work product to assess liability, and working with all county departments on a risk management and compliance development initiative by assisting in the review and drafting of policies and procedures, including zoning, personnel, finance, law enforcement and detention.
Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:
- Ability to draft Policies and Procedures based on Best Practices Models
- Knowledge of NM State government ethics codes
- Knowledge of NM Tort Claims procedures and ability to respond to tort litigation
- Knowledge of IPRA and ability to coordinate county response
- Knowledge of NMAC or other Risk Management standards and ability to review, draft responses and recommend remedial actions for reduction of incidents within Workers Comp, Detention Center Claims, Law Enforcement Claims, OSHA claims and any other Claims against Otero County
- Represents the County in reviewing, contracts and cases; manages assigned cases and assures that cases are resolved within policy guidelines.
- Reviews/prepares draft of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, administrative policies, rules and regulations, and other written documents required in the operation of the County government for compliance with legal requirements.
- Composes a variety of letters, transmittal memoranda, e-mails, and other documents relating to tax protests, zoning prosecutions, condemnations, garnishment, and other related issues.
- Reviews and analyzes tort claims and documents served on County Clerk; and prepares County disclaimer, if appropriate, and forwards information to NMAIC if necessary.
- Assists with personnel issues and labor law issues including FLSA, collective bargaining, FMLA, ADA, and federal employment law; and assists with disciplinary investigations and administrative hearings.
- Attends continuing legal education programs and reviews new court decisions, legislation, etc., in order to keep current in field and fulfill related requirements.
- Able to attend regular, special and emergency meetings of the Boards; advises other elected officials as requested.
- Represents the County on all matters not specifically reserved to attorneys selected by NMAIC in liability cases; advises on issues regarding subpoenas, open meeting laws, special districts, elections, zoning, subdivisions, legislative issues, and requests for public records.
- Conducts legal review of proposed legislation to update or amend County codes and ordinances; initiates sanctions and exercises legal processes for the collection of outstanding revenues or obligations owed to the County; issues official legal notices and warnings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) for Position
An employee in this class must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:
Knowledge
- Knowledge of State of New Mexico statues and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of all fields of government law.
- Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources, databases and other research tools.
- Knowledge of legal case management procedures and techniques.
- Knowledge of management and personnel administration methods, techniques and policies.
- Knowledge of budgets, grant requirements and financial reporting.
- Knowledge of relevant civil and criminal law.
- Knowledge of magistrate and district court proceedings.
- Knowledge in electronic filing and rules for the local Judicial Courts.
- Knowledge of legal ethics.
- Knowledge of principles of business letter writing.
Skills
- Skill in serving as legal advisory in a public-sector setting.
- Skill in researching and identifying precedence in case law.
- Skill in reviewing and assessing legal issues and documents.
- Skill in planning and implementing policies and procedures.
- Skill in the use of a personal computer and standard business software affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets.
- Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Skill in calendaring.
Physical Demands
The following physical abilities are required:
- The work is light work which requires exerting up 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force to move objects.
- While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Safety Requirements
The employee is expected to follow all safety procedures as required.
**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. The contents of this position description may be changed without notice, and employment may be terminated by either party, at will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.
How to Apply:
Complete the application and return to:
Otero County Administration Office
1101 New York Ave
Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Otero County Administration Office
1101 New York Ave
Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Job Details
Category
Personnel
Status
Open
Posted
December 5, 2024 1:00 PM
Closing
Open Until Filled