Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

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?

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is currently recruiting for the Major for Field Operations. The Major may independently manage multiple regional wildlife areas consisting of various supervisory districts. Conservation Officer Majors directly supervise the Captains of regional areas, and indirectly supervise every Sergeant, Corporal, and every District Officer in regional areas. The Conservation Officer Major may independently patrol an assigned hunting and fishing area, enforcing the rules and regulations of Chapter 17 wildlife law.
How does it get done?

The Major position supervises field operations staff, including District Officers, Sergeants, Financial Specialists, and Office Administrative Assistants. The Major allocates resources, including budgetary resources, to achieve the goals, objectives, and performance measures for the Department of Wildlife.

The incumbent will monitor the Field Operations efforts and wildlife depredation response to assure compliance with statutory mandates, Department policy, and the NMDOW Strategic Plan. The Major will review regional employee work production for accuracy and completeness (e.g., citations and case reports, financial reports, depredation reports, and body camera usage) while providing leadership and guidance to ensure efficiency and quality results. The Major will also be tasked with reviewing and evaluating case reports, investigations, and warrants to ensure legality, consistent prosecutions, and adherence to policy and procedures.

In addition, the Major oversees the management of the Area office. This includes managing office schedules, overseeing facility maintenance, ensuring the area office is open for work-week functionality, providing customer service to the public, maintaining program-specific databases (including citations, complaints, and ordinances), and ensuring a safe and effective working space for Department staff.

The Major coordinates and conducts statewide law enforcement activities on public lands and manages program-specific grant funding for law enforcement agencies. The incumbent ensures agencies have accessibility to current law enforcement fine schedules, field manuals, and public brochures, while maintaining an active contact list of law enforcement agency personnel to distribute and coordinate legal updates. The Major continuously seeks out and implements new or improved programming, training, and relevant publications.

The position provides or oversees specialized law enforcement training provided to statewide agencies for in-service training, basic training academy classes, and certification by waivers for returning officers. The incumbent must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of New Mexico State Statutes, including but not limited to Chapter 17 and Chapter 66 relating to Off-Highway Motor Vehicles, as well as Department policies and Law Enforcement Guidelines.

The Major may manage the registration and renewal processes for guides and outfitters in the State of New Mexico as required by law, including overseeing the denial and revocation process and investigating complaints and administrative violations involving guides and outfitters.

Finally, the Major provides or oversees Department representation on external multi-agency programs and work groups that provide input related to the Department's and State's interests in wildlife conservation matters.
Who are the customers?

The Colonel of Field Operations, command staff, conservation officers, and the general public, hunters, anglers, trappers, and other Field Operations personnel.
Ideal Candidate

The Colonel of Field Operations, command staff, conservation officers, and the general public, hunters, anglers, trappers, and other Field Operations personnel.
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; and ten (10) years of experience in wildlife or fisheries management, or wildlife law enforcement, of which six (6) must be supervisory. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling fourteen (14) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Must be a certified NM peace officer and have successfully completed the NMDOW Conservation School.
Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a Driver's License, Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Must be a certified NM peace officer and have successfully completed the NM DOW Conservation School.
Working Conditions

Irregular hours, overtime, travel and overnight trips. Weekend and occasional holiday work. The job requires working outdoors, often in inclement weather. Some work may be performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.

Typically work is performed in an office environment, with extensive telephone and computer usage, but will often include outdoor work in inclement weather and during irregular hours, weekends or holidays. Office work will include sitting, standing, bending and lifting 10-25 pounds. Outdoor work will include standing, walking, running, bending and lifting 10-100 pounds. Potential exists for physical conflicts in law enforcement situations involving arrests and controlling criminal subjects requiring physical fitness and stamina. Requirements will include frequent operation and travel in a motor vehicle, and may occasionally include OHV operation, horseback riding, watercraft operation and aircraft travel. Occasional hands on work with New Mexico fish and wildlife species.
Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Tim Cimbal, Colonel 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.