Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

All positions at the Public Education Department are based in Santa Fe however some may operate through our Albuquerque office based on home address and space availability.

MISSION: EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND RELEVANCE - The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that ALL students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.

VISION: ROOTED IN OUR STRENGTHS - Students in New Mexico are engaged in a culturally and linguistically responsive educational system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL students.

The Office of General Counsel provides advice and counsel to the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED).
Mission Statement
The NMPED Office of the General Counsel is a team of professionals advancing the mission and objectives of the NMPED by delivering legal services of the highest quality.

We strive for openness, accessibility, respect for all people and integrity while providing sound judgment and constructive advice. We are committed to serving and earning the public's trust.

We assist in legal matters affecting New Mexico Public Education, such as providing assistance in developing and amending contracts, final decisions regarding educator license complaints and investigations; Legal appeals and litigation support.
Why does the job exist?

This position supports the Public Education Department (PED) Office of General Counsel as an experienced professional who assists with timely preparation and processing of legal documents, work product for litigation and for meetings, and with the implementation of an internal Department case management system which is organized and maintained in a manner that makes cases and documents easy to locate, to work on, and to reference. The position also assists with administrative prosecutors in conducting document preparation and organization, and scheduling of interviews, meetings, and hearings, to address a high volume of pending and new matters. This position will also provide legal assistance to the Office of General Counsel's Dispute Resolution team in order to meet compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, the position may be responsible for the routing of contracts, obtaining quotes from possible vendors, creating requisitions, processing travel, processing invoices, and tracking of budgets to ensure monies are spent as allocated and office management.
How does it get done?

Responsibilities:
The position must highly organized; detail-oriented; and excellent at following through on and completing assignments well and on time. The Paralegal and Legal Assistant - Advanced must be able to work independently and as a team player. The Paralegal and Legal Assistant - Advanced will have responsibilities including, but not limited to, those detailed below.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS and OFFICE MANAGEMENT:
Additionally, the position may be responsible for the routing of contracts, obtaining quotes from possible vendors, creating requisitions, processing travel, processing invoices and tracking of budgets to ensure monies are spent as allocated. (15%)

PREPARATION/MAINTENANCE OF CASE FILES FOR OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL. Ensure implementation of an internal Department case management system which is organized and maintained in a manner that makes cases and documents easy to locate, to work on, and to reference. This is to include license prosecutions and special education proceedings. (25%)

ASSIST IN CALENDARING AND SETTING MEETINGS AND HEARINGS.
Assist Office of General Counsel in conducting document preparation and organization, and scheduling meetings, interviews, and hearings, to address a high volume of pending and new matters. Work closely with attorney(s) to maintain digital and physical files for all Office of General Counsel work, including any post-case motions or judicial review pleadings, monitor deadlines and review, file and index legal pleadings and other case-related documents. (15%)

REVIEW RECORDS FOR DISCOVERY, SUBPOENAS, AND INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (IPRA) REQUESTS.
Work with attorney(s), including contract counsel, on compiling records responsive to discovery requests and subpoenas with appropriate redactions. Work with Records Custodian on ensuring records for IPRA requests are complete, and with attorneys on ensuring proper redactions are made. (15%)

PREPARATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Ensure timely preparation and processing of legal documents and work product for litigation and for meetings. Work with attorneys on drafting agreements, legal pleadings, legal memos, summaries, letters and other correspondence. Make sure documents are spell-checked, grammatical, edited, correctly formatted, and clearly written. (15%)

SPECIAL EDUCATION BUREAU PROCEEDINGS AND COMPLIANCE
The individual in this position will provide support for the Special Education Bureau, including, but not limited to, scheduling due process proceedings and alternative dispute resolution settings, preparing legal documents such as correspondence or filings, tracking or assisting with compliance deadlines. The paralegal will also assist with federal court litigation relating to special education, including assisting with contract counsel requests. This will be done to assist the Special Education Bureau attorneys as designated by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel. (15%)
Who are the customers?

The customers to be served primarily include attorneys in the Office of General Counsel.
Ideal Candidate

The customers to be served primarily include attorneys in the Office of General Counsel.
Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Paralegal, Legal Science, Business, English, History, Communications, Psychology, and/or Sociology and two (2) years of relevant experience to include the preparation and review of legal documents and legal/policy research and analysis. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience or current enrollment with at least two (2) semesters in a Juris Doctorate program from an accredited school of law will substitute for required work experience.
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 sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here

Agency Contact Information: Miguel Lozano. 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.