New Mexico Wildlife magazine Conserving New Mexico's Wildlife for Future Generations
Department seeking the Next Generation of conservation officers
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to join the next generation of conservation officers who protect and conserve the state’s wildlife.
Applications for this position will be accepted until Oct. 31. Physical assessments and interviews will take place Dec. 1 in Santa Fe. Candidates who pass the interview may be required to stay in Santa Fe from Dec. 2–7 if they are selected to continue with the process after the physical assessment and written exam.
Prior law enforcement experience is not required but successful applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as fisheries or wildlife biology, forestry or criminal justice. Candidates also must pass a psychological exam, medical exam, background investigation and fitness and drug test.
Applicants must also pass a written exam and an oral interview board before being offered a position. If hired, recruits will receive basic training at the law enforcement academy, the department recruit school and one year of on-the-job training before working alone in the field.
Conservation officers enforce New Mexico’s game and fish laws, investigate criminal cases and pursue civil cases against offenders.They work primarily alone in the most remote regions of the state and are often stationed in small towns. Officers also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture nuisance wildlife, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training, and employee benefits by visiting the enforcement page on the
department’s website www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/career-advancement.
Department photo by Martin Perea.
