State of New Mexico OPT Eligible Jobs USA
The State of New Mexico hires OPT students across public administration, IT, environmental science, and public health roles. As a large government employer, it offers structured onboarding and a clear pathway to H-1B visa sponsorship for high-performing OPT hires who demonstrate value within state agencies.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is responsible for overseeing multi-modal transportation systems, including transit, rail, aviation, and highways. The NMDOT operates through its State Transportation Commission (STC), cabinet secretary, General Office administration, and through six (6) district offices with multiple maintenance patrols and construction project offices located throughout the state.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC), which serves as in-house counsel for the NMDOT, consists of one (1) general counsel, twelve (12) attorney positions, five (5) paralegal positions, and one (1) Business Operations Manager. The OGC has four (4) practice groups; Operations and Finance (construction, contracts and procurement, grant administration), Right-of-Way (real property, eminent domain, billboards), Utilities, Special Projects (modal operations, records, special Projects) and Administration, Employment and Torts (employment law and practice, labor law and practice, administrative operations and policy, tort claims and litigation).
As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This Attorney position is assigned to the Administration, Employment and Torts (administrative operations, employment and labor, torts) practice group. This practice group includes three (3) Attorney positions which are directly responsible for advising and representing the NMDOT in matters pertaining to employment law, labor law, tort law, and various facets of administrative operations, laws, and policy. The Attorney positions in this unit serve in both primary and secondary roles involved with litigation, complaints, and claims directed against the NMDOT, including in those areas for which the unit is responsible. The Attorney positions also work directly with client representatives in various facets of administrative operations, including, but limited to, business support, executive projects, human resources, inspector general, Information Technology (IT), infrastructure, communications, public records, training and staff development. Each Attorney position in the unit carries a high volume case load and handles a multitude of time-sensitive tasks.
The Attorney position performs legal research and writing, advises administration on matters of law and policy, and provides representation including in areas of civil rights, employment and labor law, torts, public records, administrative operations, human resources, and as otherwise assigned. This position will both assist and act as lead counsel in litigation, determine legal position and strategy, conduct investigations, assess exposure and litigation risk, draft and file legal documents, manage caseloads, interview and prepare witnesses, participate in mediations, keep client administration informed, and regularly coordinate with client representatives, outside counsels, Risk Management Division, and other agencies as the situation warrants. The Attorney is expected to operate competently with minimal supervision, and meet expectations regarding timely and thorough communications, productivity and prioritizing tasks, job knowledge, and providing quality and thorough work product. Additionally, this position is expected to competently utilize the OGC's case management system, word processing, tracking, filing, communications, research, and Internet systems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals and extensive use of a personal computer, phone and other office equipment: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Extended periods of concentrated sitting and some standing, bending, climbing, reaching may be required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints with possible exposure to irate clientele. As occasional travel and overnight travel is expected, incumbent must possess a valid and unrestricted New Mexico Driver's License.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Aaron Frankland, (505) 490-2730. 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.
INTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is responsible for overseeing multi-modal transportation systems, including transit, rail, aviation, and highways. The NMDOT operates through its State Transportation Commission (STC), cabinet secretary, General Office administration, and through six (6) district offices with multiple maintenance patrols and construction project offices located throughout the state.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC), which serves as in-house counsel for the NMDOT, consists of one (1) general counsel, twelve (12) attorney positions, five (5) paralegal positions, and one (1) Business Operations Manager. The OGC has four (4) practice groups; Operations and Finance (construction, contracts and procurement, grant administration), Right-of-Way (real property, eminent domain, billboards), Utilities, Special Projects (modal operations, records, special Projects) and Administration, Employment and Torts (employment law and practice, labor law and practice, administrative operations and policy, tort claims and litigation).
As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This Attorney position is assigned to the Administration, Employment and Torts (administrative operations, employment and labor, torts) practice group. This practice group includes three (3) Attorney positions which are directly responsible for advising and representing the NMDOT in matters pertaining to employment law, labor law, tort law, and various facets of administrative operations, laws, and policy. The Attorney positions in this unit serve in both primary and secondary roles involved with litigation, complaints, and claims directed against the NMDOT, including in those areas for which the unit is responsible. The Attorney positions also work directly with client representatives in various facets of administrative operations, including, but limited to, business support, executive projects, human resources, inspector general, Information Technology (IT), infrastructure, communications, public records, training and staff development. Each Attorney position in the unit carries a high volume case load and handles a multitude of time-sensitive tasks.
The Attorney position performs legal research and writing, advises administration on matters of law and policy, and provides representation including in areas of civil rights, employment and labor law, torts, public records, administrative operations, human resources, and as otherwise assigned. This position will both assist and act as lead counsel in litigation, determine legal position and strategy, conduct investigations, assess exposure and litigation risk, draft and file legal documents, manage caseloads, interview and prepare witnesses, participate in mediations, keep client administration informed, and regularly coordinate with client representatives, outside counsels, Risk Management Division, and other agencies as the situation warrants. The Attorney is expected to operate competently with minimal supervision, and meet expectations regarding timely and thorough communications, productivity and prioritizing tasks, job knowledge, and providing quality and thorough work product. Additionally, this position is expected to competently utilize the OGC's case management system, word processing, tracking, filing, communications, research, and Internet systems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals and extensive use of a personal computer, phone and other office equipment: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Extended periods of concentrated sitting and some standing, bending, climbing, reaching may be required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints with possible exposure to irate clientele. As occasional travel and overnight travel is expected, incumbent must possess a valid and unrestricted New Mexico Driver's License.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Aaron Frankland, (505) 490-2730. 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.
Job Roles at State of New Mexico
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding State of New Mexico OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target agencies with recurring technical vacancies
New Mexico's Department of Information Technology, Environment Department, and Health Department consistently post roles that align with STEM OPT fields. Research each agency's open requisitions directly on the state's official careers portal before applying, so you're targeting divisions with active hiring needs.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask the HR recruiter to confirm the specific state agency you're joining is actively enrolled, since individual departments sometimes operate separately from the central state HR system.
Search verified OPT-friendly employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify which State of New Mexico agencies have filed H-1B Labor Condition Applications, signaling they're familiar with work authorization processes and more likely to support OPT students through to visa sponsorship when your OPT period ends.
Align your credentials to state classification standards
New Mexico uses a standardized job classification system for government roles. Before applying, map your degree and coursework to the official position class specification, because HR reviewers screen for direct field alignment when evaluating candidates who'll need authorization support.
Initiate the STEM OPT extension 90 days early
USCIS requires you to file your STEM OPT extension before your current EAD expires, and processing can take weeks. Coordinate with your DSO well within the 90-day filing window so your work authorization stays continuous from your first OPT period into the extension.
Request an explicit H-1B sponsorship discussion at offer stage
State agencies plan workforce budgets annually, so raise H-1B sponsorship during the offer negotiation, not after you've started. Ask HR whether the department has a precedent for sponsoring H-1B petitions for OPT employees in your specific job classification.
State of New Mexico OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does State of New Mexico sponsor OPT visas?
The State of New Mexico doesn't sponsor OPT itself. OPT is work authorization that USCIS grants directly to F-1 students. What New Mexico does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD, and qualifying STEM OPT employees can extend their authorization for 24 months provided their employing agency is enrolled in E-Verify.
Which departments at State of New Mexico typically hire OPT students?
OPT students find the strongest fit in technically oriented state agencies, including the Department of Information Technology, the Environment Department, the Department of Health, and the Human Services Department. These divisions regularly post roles in software, data analysis, environmental compliance, and public health that align with common STEM OPT fields.
How do I confirm State of New Mexico will support my STEM OPT extension?
Ask the hiring agency's HR team to confirm that the specific department is enrolled in E-Verify before you accept an offer. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for STEM OPT extensions, and individual New Mexico agencies may have separate enrollment statuses from the central state government.
What is the timeline for transitioning from OPT to H-1B at State of New Mexico?
H-1B petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start, so you and your agency need to begin the process by late January or February at the latest. On Migrate Mate, you can check which State of New Mexico agencies have a track record of filing H-1B Labor Condition Applications to gauge their familiarity with the process.
How do I negotiate H-1B sponsorship with a State of New Mexico agency?
Raise H-1B sponsorship during the job offer stage, not after onboarding. State agencies allocate legal and administrative budgets annually, so early conversations give HR time to plan. Reference your specific job classification, your OPT end date, and ask directly whether the department has previously sponsored H-1B petitions for employees in comparable roles.
How does State of New Mexico hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. State of New Mexico can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check State of New Mexico's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.