Chief Appellate Court Clerk 1 (U)

Business Unit: 21500

Chief Appellate Court Clerk 1 (U) #00000042-21500, Full-Time, Perm, in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, NM

# of Positions: 1

Opening Date: 03-13-2025 - Close Date: 04-30-2025

Job Pay Range: PP: $48.758 - $97.515 per hour OR $101,417 - $202,831 annually

Target Pay Range/Rate: $48.758 - $84.239 per hour OR $101,416 - $175,217 annually

The Court of Appeals is recruiting for a Full-Time, At-will, Chief Appellate Court Clerk 1 position #00000042-21500 in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, New Mexico. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The New Mexico Court of Appeals is seeking an experienced administrator to serve as its next Clerk of the Court. The Clerk of the Court works under the general direction of the Chief Judge and closely with the Judges. The Clerk of the Court’s principal function is to oversee all the non-judicial management and administrative functions of the Court, including budget planning, fiscal operations and procurement, facilities management, and personnel and HR matters. The Clerk of Court is also responsible for serving as the Court’s general counsel and records custodian under IPRA. The Clerk of Court also manages all Clerk’s Office operations, including acting as the main point of contact for legal practitioners and the public, processing procedural motions under delegated authority, closing cases through mandates, and providing legal recommendations to staff and judges. The Court of Appeals has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque with regular travel between the offices required. Finalist(s) may be subject to criminal background checks. Application deadline: April 30, 2025.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES

The Chief Appellate Court Clerk 1 is responsible for the general operational and administrative direction to and supervision of Court of Appeals employees.

Provides administration and recommendations to judges for court-related programs and initiatives; apprises the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals on administrative matters.

Administers or oversees the court’s administration including finance, facilities, security, human resources, and information systems, and the non-judicial operations of the court, including probation, case management, and specialty courts.

Makes recommendations to the Chief Judge regarding the court’s budget priorities and develops long and short-term strategic financial goals.

Performs legal research and analysis and makes recommendations to judges regarding dispositional and interlocutory decisions.

Rules on procedural motions with granted authority and prepares and issues legally sufficient orders.

Evaluates cases for jurisdiction and timeliness and closes all cases by preparing legally sufficient mandates

Advises attorneys and pro se litigants on forms and procedures and provides notification of the court’s ruling on pleadings.

Serves as the Secretary of the Court of Appeals Building Commission and oversees the building manager for the Court of Appeals Courthouse in Albuquerque.

Manages and assists in the preparation and implementation of the budget and develops long and short-term strategic financial goals.

Administers and reviews grants, grants acquisition, and administration.

Prepares and reviews court financial reports, reconciliations, and expenditures and assists in the oversight of all purchases in compliance with the NM Procurement Code.

Assists in the oversight of the financial audit process and provides reports for auditors and comply with audit findings.

Supports the oversight and management of the court’s assets and inventory.

Provides oversight of court-wide contracts including preparation, administration, development, and management as it relates to contracting procedures and applicable laws.

Plans current and future court facility and space needs and works with architects, contractors, vendors, etc. in the modification, maintenance, or upgrade of existing facilities.

Researches, develops, coordinates, and tracks legislative initiatives and provides testimony and strategies for passage of legislation.

Hires, manages, organizes, and coordinates the work of professional staff and establishes goals. concerning the development of projects, deadlines, and priorities.

Represents the Judiciary at legislative or other governmental statewide committees and appears or testifies before commissions and legislative bodies.

Acts as the custodian of records for inspection of public records’ requests.

Acts as a repository for a variety of court-mandated reports and oaths.

May act as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the court.

Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES/QUALIFICATIONS
The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge in budget development, management of multiple and diverse court programs and staff, policy development, delivering presentations to diverse audiences including testifying before a legislative or similar body, and comprehensive and advanced knowledge and understanding of the organization and functions of the judicial branch of government, of the United States and New Mexico constitutions; New Mexico Case law, statutes, rules of procedure, Supreme Court Rules, Rules of Appellate Procedure, Code of Judicial Conduct; the Judicial Standards Commission; Rules of Professional Responsibility; legal proofreading and editing, and legal terminology. Demonstrated ability to lead and direct change that benefits the operations of the court, and provides exemplary leadership.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed

BENEFITS

Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]

State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance

Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses

Paid time off, up to eight (8) weeks

Paid time off and retirement buyback

Eleven (11) paid holidays

Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan

Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan [http://www.nmpera.org/]

Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*

Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM

Bilingual compensation*

Training and career development opportunities

Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement

May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*

May receive physical fitness leave*

*These benefits vary by job classification or need*

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association; possess a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.

• Education Substitution: None.

Management Experience: Six (6) years of experience in court management or a criminal justice system including multiples disciplines such as budget, finance, procurement, human resources, contracts administration, or a directly related field, and three (3) years experience supervising and managing a diverse staff; and Legal Experience: Six (6) years of experience practicing law either as an attorney or law clerk, of which at least three (3) years’ involved appellate practice

• Experience Substitution: Relevant graduate-level education may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience at a rate of 30 semester hours equals one (1) year of experience. Education may not substitute for supervisory experience or legal experience.

TO APPLY: Submit a New Mexico Judicial Branch Application for Employment, or a Resume and a Resume Supplemental form, and proof of education to:

Administrative Office of the Courts

Attn: AOC Human Resources Division

202 E. Marcy Street

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Fax: 505-479-2641

Email: jobs@nmcourts.gov

PROOF OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRED.

Application deadline: April 30, 2025. Applications can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER