Legal Associate

Salary : $42,452.80 - $73,236.80 Annually
Location : Ruidoso, NM
Job Type: Career Appointment, Full-Time
Job Number: 10109359
Unit: 12th District-Lincoln-Ruidoso
Division: 12th District-Lincoln-Ruidoso
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Mountain


Objectives Summary


The objective summary of this job classification is to provide various support activities to attorneys in a legal setting including, but not limited to, determining need-based eligibility for legal services in accordance with laws.
For more information about living in Ruidoso, New Mexico,

Essential Functions

• Determine applicant eligibility for representation, act as liaison for attorneys to maintain communication between attorneys and clients, draft legal instruments, assists in document preparation, and prepare correspondence and some investigative tasks.
• Spend significant portion of time assisting with legal research and other non- investigative support activities.
• Assists attorneys in difficult situations, identify and describe legal problem areas in consultation with a staff attorney.
• Utilize web-based programs such as case management/tracking system.
• Consults with attorney regarding the ability to take certain cases.
• Knowledge of a range of vocational areas or in depth knowledge of a specialized area.
• The nature of work performed may involve some routine analysis and end results produced have a moderate impact on the outcomes of the function in which the work is performed.
• Work at this level may involve providing work direction and guidance to employees at lower levels.
• The challenges faced in the position are patterned in nature and the incumbent is readily able to recognize the challenge, recall a solution and apply.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned
• Other Duties:
  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 an DD level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels AA through DD.

Minimum Qualifications


High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of work experience drafting and preparing legal correspondence, conducting legal research and maintaining a case management/tracking system. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required education and experience.



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: Non-exempt: In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD's Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding classifications identified as non-exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours (subject to approval from a supervisor) worked over 40 hours in a work week (begins on Saturday). These classifications may decline overtime. LOPD compensates with compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at a 1.5x rate in lieu of cash payments, if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

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
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New Mexico state minimum wage is $12.00 per hour effective January 1, 2023. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. More information can be read at

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Please contact for questions.
01


Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed. If you have responded that you have an education higher than a high school diploma or GED, you must attach a copy of your official/unofficial transcript(s) that clearly state the type of degree and date awarded/conferred, institution name, and applicant name and is in a format that cannot be modified.

• Doctorate
• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associates Degree or Technical/Vocational Certificate
• High School Diploma or GED
• Less than a High School Diploma or GED

02


How many total years of experience do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application related to this Job Classification?Please NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email View email address on click.appcast.io, with the documents and your contact information. Or if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.

• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 2years of experience
• 1 year of experience
• 6 Months
• 3 Months
• None

03


Legal
How many years of experience do you have researching and preparing for court hearings?

• None
• 6 months of experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 or more years of experience

04


Business Operations
Do you have experience assisting disadvantaged populations such as people who suffer from mental illness; people who are homeless; people who are difficult and angry due to the legal situation they are in; and people in need of social service assistance?

• Yes
• No

05


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
06


Legal
Do you have experience accessing and navigating all District, Metropolitan and Magistrate Court websites across the state?

• Yes
• No

07


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
08


Legal
Do you have experience creating and maintaining court calendars for multiple attorneys which can change at a moment's notice?

• Yes
• No

09


Legal
Do you have experience working in a law office as a paralegal or legal secretary?

• Yes
• No

10


How many years of experience do you have working with criminal court proceedings?

• Five (5) or more years of experience
• Four (4) years of experience
• Three (3) years of experience
• Two (2) years of experience
• One (1) year of experience
• Zero to Six (0-6) months of experience

11


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
12


Do you have experience assisting applicants applying for need based services?

• Yes
• No

13


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
14


For current State of New Mexico employees: I understand that the Law Offices of the Public Defender will only accept up to 40 hours of annual leave and all sick leave. Furthermore, upon transfer, I will begin a new probationary period regardless of a break in service from my current state agency.

• I Understand

15


I understand that my responses to the questions regarding years of experience and education will be confirmed. I have included my related work experience in the Work Experience Section of my application with a detailed description of my related duties. If I am attempting to attach documents, but unable to, I should email View email address on click.appcast.io., with the documents and my contact information. Or if selected for an interview, I may bring the documents to my interview.

• I Understand

16


Please choose the level that best describes your fluency in any language(s) other than English. I understand that I may be asked to certify my language proficiency upon hire and that I may be required to provide translation services if selected for this job.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Familiar

17


If you chose Beginner or above in the previous question, please identify in the text box what language(s) you are fluent in. Note: If you selected Not Familiar in the previous question please write, N/A in the text box below.
Required Question