Senior Legal Secretary (DOH/OGC#57299)

Salary $20.56 - $30.85 Hourly $42,773 - $64,160 Annually This position is a Pay Band C4 Posting Details This is a continuous posting and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is the primary public health governmental agency of the state of New Mexico. The Department of Health is composed of various organizational units with different functions and activities. The NMDOH Office of General Counsel is the office of in-house attorneys who represent the agency and advise agency staff in their work. The Senior Legal Assistant provides advanced, highly responsible legal and administrative support to attorneys within the Office of General Counsel at NMDOH. This role requires, excellent organizational skills, independent judgment, and the ability to manage complex, confidential, and time sensitive matters. The Senior Legal Assistant supports the department's mission by ensuring smooth legal operations, accurate documentation, and effective coordination across programs, leadership, and external stakeholders. Why does the job exist? This position exists to support the Office of General Counsel's eight attorneys, chief records custodian, and 2 paralegals. How does it get done? Draft, format, proofread, and finalize a wide range of legal documents, including pleadings, motions, briefs, subpoenas, contracts, settlement agreements, administrative records, and correspondence. Assist attorneys with research tasks such as reviewing statutes, regulations, public records, and case materials (non¿attorney legal research; no legal conclusions rendered). Manage litigation and administrative case files, ensuring accurate organization, retention compliance, and timely retrieval of documents. Coordinate responses to subpoenas, IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) requests, and other official inquiries in collaboration with NMDOH programs. Track deadlines, hearings, filings, and litigation schedules; prepare internal reminders and ensure attorney compliance with court and administrative timelines. Support rulemaking processes, including preparing hearing dockets, notices, and comment summaries. Maintain confidential information in compliance with HIPAA, federal/state privacy laws, and agency policy. Facilitate communication between OGC attorneys, NMDOH programs, state agencies, courts, external counsel, and the public. Perform advanced administrative tasks such as scheduling, meeting coordination, file digitization, data entry, billing tracking, and report preparation. Support special projects and initiatives assigned by OGC leadership. Who are the customers? This position primarily serves the attorneys and staff within the Office of General Counsel. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate possesses: Professionalism, discretion, and ethical judgment Strong organizational and multitasking abilities. High accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal skills for working across diverse programs and stakeholders. Minimum Qualification High School diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience in drafting and preparing legal correspondence, conducting basic legal research, maintaining a case management/tracking system, and directly related clerical, secretarial, or office administration experience utilizing legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling one (1) year may substitute for the required experience. Employment Requirements Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Working Conditions Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminal (VDT) and extensive computer and cellular phone usage. The ability to lift 25 pounds. This job may require use of a state vehicle. Supplemental Information Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here Agency Contact Information: Jacob Clark (505) 827-2997 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.