Posting Details
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once. This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.
Employees hired in this role will be placed at $25.45 per hour ($52,936 annually) for their first year of training. Upon completion of Recruit Training, officers will be placed in their district at a starting rate of $29.27 per hour ($60,881 annually)
Our Mission
It is the mission of New Mexico's Department of Wildlife: To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation that recognizes cultural, historic, and resource values while ensuring public safety.
Please visit our website for more information at https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
Why does the job exist?
Conservation Officers enforce hunting, fishing, trapping, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) laws. The main goal of a Conservation Officer is to protect wildlife; duties include patrolling assigned fishing and hunting areas, collecting data, investigating complaints, and prosecuting violations. Conservation Officers also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture problem animals, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife capture and relocations, and help to develop regulations for New Mexico Department of Wildlife. Conservation Officers have full police powers in emergency situations to ensure public safety.
How does it get done?
The Associate Conservation Officer position is the entry-level of the Conservation Officer Series. Incumbents in this position will train as a "Recruit" for approximately one (1) year to become a certified and commissioned Conservation Officer for the State of New Mexico. The Recruit will spend a significant amount of time training at an approved Law Enforcement Academy, New Mexico Department of Wildlife sponsored Conservation Officer School, and an additional fourteen (14) week New Mexico Department of Wildlife Field Training and Evaluation Program with a certified New Mexico Department of Wildlife Field Training Officer.
The candidate must become a certified peace officer by completing New Mexico Department of Public Safety Basic Police Officer Training or Certification by Waiver. The candidate must pass the New Mexico Department of Wildlife Conservation Officer School and Field Training and Evaluation Program. The candidate must pass training related to defensive driving, CPR and first aid, firearms training, law (Chapter 17), basic boat training, officer water survival, simulated law enforcement confrontation training, wildlife health, wildlife handling, wildlife immobilization, ATV/ROV basic operation, management of wildlife and fisheries, and training related to customer service and information and outreach programs.
Who are the customers?
The citizens of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate
The citizens of New Mexico.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field with at least twelve (12) credit hours that pertain to the essential duties and responsibilities of this classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results. Employment fitness, psychological and medical screenings as required as part of the recruitment process. Pre-employment drug testing is also required. Candidates who successfully pass the physical assessment may be required to stay in various locations around the State of New Mexico for further testing to include psychological and medical screenings. Positions are designated as safety-sensitive and subject to random drug and alcohol screening. Must possess and maintain current New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification. Individuals without current New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification must complete the New Mexico Law Enforcement Basic Police Officer Training (BPOT) Academy or certification by waiver training, within 1 year of employment as set forth in 29-7-6B NMSA 1978.
Working Conditions
Irregular hours, overtime, travel and overnight trips. Weekend and occasional holiday work. The job requires working outdoors, often in inclement weather. There will be periods of standing, walking, running, and sitting. Standard law enforcement equipment (firearms, baton, OC spray, handcuffs, and miscellaneous other law enforcement specific equipment) is required to be worn and/or utilized each day. Game, fish, and furbearer species may be handled, restrained, or even field dressed and loaded in vehicles or other transports. Must be able to drive 4x4 vehicle, All-terrain or Utility-terrain vehicles, on unmaintained road surfaces, and participate fully in all aspects of law enforcement duties. Depending on the area of responsibility, must be able to operate a boat or watercraft or ride stock (horse or mule) on unmaintained landscapes or trails and participate fully in all aspects of law enforcement duties.
Supplemental Information
Benefits:
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Agency Contact Information: Lt. Andrew Armendariz 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.
