attorney

public defender

senior secretary

paralegal

secretary

State of New Mexico

I've worked very hard for the State of New Mexico for 25 years, and unfortunately, I couldn't be leaving quick enough. I stayed because I loved the work and the regular staff members who were my clients. Management in our small (50+) group was friendly, professional, and supportive. The same could not be said over the last few years for upper management. For over EIGHT years no raises were available to regular-line staff. It took a series of events, culminating in a State Supreme Court decision, to change this administration's mind on how to treat its own employees. Starting w/ the financial meltdown of 2008, managers awarded themselves substantial raises while disallowing cost-of-living wage increases, as per legislated mandates.
The trend under the current administration is to drastically reduce the worker pool while hiring contractors to fill in for all the essential lost jobs. Collective bargaining - the unions - are strongly targeted for destruction. With the drastic changes in retirement benefits, senior regular staff members such as myself that worked for peanuts because we truly loved our jobs and felt that we were effective agents for positive change are flooding out, much to the politicians' delight.
As much as I enjoyed the work, I came to realize that New Mexico will always be in a heated race for dead-last in so many categories as long as those utterly poor management styles continue unabated.
New Mexico cannot recruit good professionals anymore. Competent people who understand what is going on are leaving for greener pastures in neighboring states or into the private sector, and are not being replaced. It's truly is sad, but without a more team-oriented management style driven by those who truly want to succeed again, the outlook for New Mexico's public sector will remain bleak for the foreseeable future.

If you don't mind or even actually prefer overtime this job is highly suggested. Great benefits, and amazing individuals who are supported. I stayed for about 2 years but my overall reason for leaving was low pay. No opportunity for raises. Everyone starts out at different pay DOE. There are Some opportunities for promotion. The over time is mandatory. Guaranteed that you will work many unexpected 16 hours shift ( meaning you go in for your scheduled shift, someone from the next shift calls in, even if it's two hours before your shift Is supposed to end, your required to stay and work their full shift) mandatory, consequences of leaving can mean termination and even abandonment charges. Also being called to go into work unexpectedly, and being scheduled to work these long shifts. This is the biggest downside of the job, I have missed many family events, doctors appointments, even birthdays because of this. Overtime does pay off on payday though. Management.. they aren't always the friendliest, but they are efficient, no nonsense, will handle any issues with employees (calling in excessively, excessive gossip and drama, tardiness, not doing job properly or not wanting do their fair share of overtime) in an appropriate and timely manner, which isn't a quality I've seen in a lot of my other employers. They are also audited more often due to Jackson class clients, and the policies and regulations as far as caring for the individuals are met and exceeded. employees are trained by therapists on individual specific plans immediately to provide best care possible, and clean environments are expected and required, no roaches or rodents of any sort! Ever! ( A problem I've seen at similar companies.) Very clean, professional work environment. Overall great place to work if you don't mind actually being at work more than your at home some weeks.

I enjoyed my day at work because I was normally able to assist low income parents with paying for their childcare.  I learned how to treat individual clients that were normally under a tremendous amount of pressure with respect and compassion.  Originally the management team concentrated on the assistance that we were able to give to our clients in a timely, friendly and professional manner.  While also following policy and procedure.  However, the last year of my employment the new management was more interested in exact hours and times worked and the type of leave used so as to micromanage leave that had already been earned and also changing lunch hours and work hours. Creating  unnecessary stress due to too many changes in management. As for the workplace that was one of the best parts of the job-since I had my own office and worked with all types of people.  The hardest part of the job was when a client did not qualify due to being over-income guidelines or not having a qualifying activity.  The empathy I had for the clients made it difficult to give them the disappointing news of not being accepted to the program,  The most enjoyable part of the job was dealing with clients daily and knowing that the work that I did helped them to further their education or employment.  The best days were when a client came in for the very last time to report that they had successfully completed their degree and were ready to begin the rest of their life in a great career that would support themselves and their families comfortably so they would no longer need state assistance.

The job deals with regulatory issues that public water systems must comply with, both federal and state levels. This was my first full time job after I graduated from undergrad so it showed me that a good work ethic is something to be proud of because at the end of the day it was worth all of the energy that I put towards it. I started off as an intern and had that position for two years before being hired on permanently. However when I was an intern I proved to management that I could take on the same tasks as a full water system specialist and I had my own water systems to look after. Being in the public sector, management tends to shift annually, which brought along challenges based on upper managements vision and overall goals for the bureau. This proved to be hard, but I learned that problem solving and keeping my work ethic in stride was the best avenue for me to stay on top. The hardest part of the job is the work load, having 90 plus water systems that I oversee is really hard because on top of the focused duties there are always surprise problems that have to addressed at the spur of the moment. Working in an environment with many different people is great, I have no problem asking questions or bouncing ideas off of someone to gain a better understanding on an issue that I am addressing. Also when I discover a more efficient or productive way to achieve a desired task I tend to share it with the others in my office so that they can get more tasks done in a timely manner. The most enjoyable part of this job is helping out the little guy, who typically is a really small water system with limited financial funds. Guiding these water systems towards compliance and giving the tools and knowledge at the end of the day is rewarding.

The work itself is incredibly rewarding. Helping youth with mental health issues is a very noble calling. 
The licensed staff (nurses and teachers) are paid far less than their counterparts at other facilities. 
The clinical staff (therapists) have had incredible turnover showing poor management.
The leadership team has high turnover showing that the management problems begin at the top of the ladder.
Psych techs (the job with the most interaction with the resident youths) are paid poorly and are chronically understaffed. Staff are always unsure if they will be able to leave at the end of their shift. Several times a week EVERY tech is mandated to stay and work a double shift. This is problematic for staff with school age children that need to be picked up, staff that are trying to advance their career with night classes, staff with other family obligations, and keeping a work/life balance. To exacerbate the problem, overnight graveyard staff are often mandated to stay an extra shift keeping them at work until 3pm the next day- with no sleep. Obviously, this creates an unsafe environment for staff and residents alike.
The management style is punitive and has created a culture of fear.
The job itself is very rewarding but until management changes, all the way at the top, this will remain a stressful, unsafe place to work with high burnout and turnover.

I was a tech there for years and years saw many many awful things .
Seems like NMBHi has gone down hill so much it's not gonna survive much longer.
As for the benefits there are really none the deductibles for the insurance u need a loan the co- pays are also really high good luck if u need blood work done take out a loan for it ... 
The overtime is ridiculous they cannot keep anyone employed at NMbhi it's run like a high school drama where u got the favorites that get ahead and hard workers left behind. 
No chance for advancement in that place it's who you know or related to.
I have seen where people beat up the patients and are caught on camera but depends who you are nothing will happen to u but if u r not on their favorites list u r out the door... 
Funny how they can have people that are on probation for felonies head departments but be me or u we would be out the door ... 
Typical work week consistents of 5 16 hour days all the while u are told you can do better than ur best if u refuse to stay for the mandatory overtime daily they will fire you unless u on their favorites list.
As for the union backing the members ,good luck with that most worthless union ever ..... 
I would not recommend working at NMBHI in any position unless u really need a job get the two weeks training n bail .
Another sad thing is if you are a veteran NMBHI does not give hiring or promotion preference to you pretty sad place to work for unless you a con man n u will move up the ladder there very quickly..

Disclaimer:
This review is mainly about the legal department within CYFD.
Summary:
How well you do here depends on your position and who you know. You work with attorneys in the legal department. Attorneys will be your boss for most of your legal career here, so if you know how to work with them, you'll be ok. My experience working with the attorneys at CYFD was very volatile. Some are decent, but most are self-serving.
A typical day at work:
Very busy. There are too many deadlines to reasonably accommodate most of the time, and working with respondent's attorneys and the court can sometimes be a nightmare. Be prepared to be held responsible for anything your attorney should be held accountable for.
What you learned:
I learned that some people who work here honestly care about their work for the children. I also learned that some people work here to bolster their reputation.
Management:
Bureaucracy is about the worst part of working for the state. Your boss needs approval from their boss, who requires approval from their boss, etc. The management here has learned what is needed to work here, and it doesn't include the general well-being of their employees.
Workplace culture:
Panic, for the most part.
The hardest part of the job:
Dealing with attorneys who are only here to bolster their reputations.
The most enjoyable part of the job:
(for legal) Not dealing with the public. Some people that work here are genuinely good people who are here to help children. Stick with those people.

The New Mexico National Guard is a dynamic ever changing career that will be able to satisfy almost every person’s interests and desires to be part of something bigger then themselves.  There is no typical day in the positions that I have held.  Each day is an adventure that challenges me to not only be a better professional, but a better person.  In this career I have had the opportunity to develop much faster than my peers; have had enormous amounts of responsibility and have seen firsthand the humility one most have in these roles to be successful.  My co-workers I have had the pleasure of knowing for a long period of time and we have grown up together, learning from each other and supporting each other along the way.  The hardest part of my current position is dealing with PTSD, suicide, addictions, accidental deaths, and the family and friends affected by the aftermath of these tragedies. Conversely, the most enjoyable part of my current position is when I am able to meet with and visit with our veterans.  My current generation is blessed to have these veterans that served before us and have fought in wars for America without the deep level of support we now have.  The tragedies they faced and overcame help heal our generation by their example that they display for those that follow them.  All in all, I have been very blessed beyond my imagination to have been part of the New Mexico National Guard.

Disclaimer: 
This review is mainly about the legal department within CYFD.
Summary:
How well you do here depends on your position and who you know. You work with attorneys in the legal department. Attorneys will be your boss for most of your legal career here, so if you know how to work with them, you'll be ok. My experience working with the attorneys at CYFD was very volatile. Some are decent, but most are self-serving.
A typical day at work:
Very busy. There are too many deadlines to reasonably accommodate most of the time, and working with respondent's attorneys and the court can sometimes be a nightmare. Be prepared to be held responsible for anything your attorney should be held accountable for.
What you learned:
I learned that some people who work here honestly care about their work for the children. I also learned that some people work here to bolster their reputation.
Management:
Bureaucracy is about the worst part of working for the state. Your boss needs approval from their boss, who requires approval from their boss, etc. The management here has learned what is needed to work here, and it doesn't include the general well-being of their employees.
Workplace culture:
Panic, for the most part.
The hardest part of the job:
Dealing with attorneys who are only here to bolster their reputations. 
The most enjoyable part of the job:
(for legal) Not dealing with the public. Some people that work here are genuinely good people who are here to help children. Stick with those people.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of my job was working with the department's customers, helping them understand how their equipment worked and how they could stay safe. Fortunately in this field, everyday is different, so there's that. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of my short 7 year stay with DoIT Radio was when I was awarded my office, which was breached the 1st week and the encryption equipment was stolen that is used to scramble Spec Ops type radios so the criminals have a harder time knowing they're being monitored. Management ignored what happened. A week later the equipment showed back up on my desk in my secured office. Still "I know nothing" from management... Weeks earlier, 10 Spec Op type radios were stolen... no investigation... I try to go up the chain... zero, zip, nada... I gave up my office and moved to my work bench for the remainder of my stay until I was pushed out by the unqualified "Friends and Family" crew that now runs the shop... Good luck New Mexico, we're really screwed...

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
If you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express and you're related, you can get a job, no experience required!

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Staying busy, occasionally doing the "Engineer's" job cause they're "family" too.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Attorney 51 salaries reported	$100,039 per year
Public defender 32 salaries reported	$97,031 per year
Senior secretary 11 salaries reported	$49,057 per year
Paralegal 5 salaries reported	$57,793 per year
Secretary 5 salaries reported	$44,897 per year

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