Staff Attorney

Position Summary
The ENMU Staff Attorney provides legal and operational support to the Eastern New Mexico University System. Reporting to the Executive Director of System HR/Policy and Planning, this position assists with contract review, the development, interpretation, and implementation of institutional policies to support compliance with applicable federal and state laws, as well as employee relations/student relations matters when legal considerations apply.

The Staff Attorney serves as an internal resource to help identify legal issues, coordinate requests for legal review, and facilitate communication between university administrators and the institution's outside General Counsel. This position does not serve as the institution's General Counsel but functions as a liaison to ensure matters requiring legal advice are appropriately referred and managed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews and provides analysis of contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents.
• Serves as a liaison between university administrators and the institution's outside General Counsel for matters requiring legal advice or formal legal review.
• Coordinates and tracks legal inquiries, document requests, and institutional responses involving outside counsel.
• Identifies legal risks related to institutional policy.
• Monitors changes in federal and state laws and regulations affecting employment and higher education operations and communicates relevant updates to institutional leadership.
• Assists with the development, review, and revision of institutional policies to ensure alignment with current legal requirements and best practices.
• Provides guidance to HR leadership and campus administrators regarding policy interpretation, employee relations matters, and procedural compliance.
• Assists with workplace investigations, documentation review, and preparation of materials related to personnel matters when legal considerations are present.
• Supports preparation of materials, summaries, and documentation related to agency complaints, administrative proceedings, or litigation in coordination with outside counsel.
• Maintains the institution's legal budget, including but not limited to outside general counsel billing and reconciliation in coordination with system business offices.
• Develops training materials and provides guidance to administrators regarding compliance, policy implementation, and emerging legal issues affecting the workplace.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive personnel, legal, and institutional information.
• Regular and predictable attendance required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; ability to obtain admission in New Mexico within one year of hire preferred.
• One (1) year of experience practicing law, preferably in contract law, employment law, higher education, public sector law, or administrative law.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Understanding of the role of institutional counsel and the ability to appropriately route matters requiring formal legal advice to outside General Counsel.
• Familiarity with legal issues affecting public institutions and higher education environments.
• Ability to review and interpret contracts, policies, and legal documents.
• Ability to analyze legal and regulatory changes and translate them into operational guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, HR professionals, and institutional leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demand and Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. The position requires the ability to sit for extended periods, use a computer and standard office equipment, and occasionally move materials weighing up to 10 pounds. Work may involve occasional meetings across campus locations.

Essential Functions: [As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, these include the aforementioned duties and responsibilities, minimum job requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities, physical demands, and working conditions. This is not necessarily an all-inclusive listing.]

Condition of Employment: Must pass a pre-employment background check.

Electronic Application Instructions: Electronic applications should be submitted through the "Apply" link at the top of this page. Please attach the following required documents to your electronic application:

Required Documents:

Please ensure that you attach all required documents, even if you have applied for other positions at ENMU, as the committee does not have access to those records.
Letter of interest
Resume
Contact information for three references (blind or off-list reference checks may be conducted on finalists)
Transcripts (unofficial for application purposes)

Equal Employment Opportunity /Title IX/IPRA. Eastern New Mexico University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (575) 562-2115. New Mexico is an open records state; therefore, ENMU complies with the Inspection of Public Records Act, NMSA 1978, Chapter 14, Article 2, from the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General. Any concerns regarding sex discrimination should be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator at either titleix.coordinator@enmu.eu, (575) 562-2235, or Curry Hall Office 127, 1500 S Avenue K, Portales, NM 88130. Requests for inspection of public records should be sent to planning.analysis@enmu.edu . For any other inquiries, please contact Human Resources at (575) 562-2115 or e-mail ENMU.HRrecruiter@enmu.edu .