Game and Fish Warden Recruit (DGF #40869+)

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 $25.205 per hour ($52,426 annually) for their first year of training. Upon completion of Recruit Training, officers will be placed in their district at a starting rate of $28.975 per hour ($60,268 annually)

Our Mission

It is the mission of New Mexico's Game and Fish Department: 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, boating, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) laws. The main goal is to protect wildlife; duties include patrolling assigned fishing and hunting areas, collecting data, investigating complaints, and prosecuting violations. When animal or human safety is threatened, they conduct search and rescue operations. Conservation Officers also respond to automobile collisions with large game. Conservation Officers have full police powers when called to duty or in emergency situations to ensure public safety.
How does it get done?

The Game Warden Recruit 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 Conservation Officer Recruit will spend a significant amount of time in an approved Law Enforcement Academy, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sponsored Conservation School, and an additional fourteen (14) weeks in the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Field Officer Training Program with a New Mexico Game and Fish Field Training Officer.

The candidate must become a certified peace officer by completing the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and must complete the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Recruit Training Program. The candidate must complete training related to the management and propagation of wildlife and fisheries, and must complete 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 are required as part of the recruitment process. Pre-employment drug testing is required. Candidates who successfully pass the physical assessment may be required to stay in Albuquerque, NM 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 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.