Conservation officers sought

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is recruiting trainees to become conservation officers.

Starting pay for trainees is $17.03 an hour, the agency said in a news release.

No prior law enforcement experience is required, but applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a wildlife management field, biology or criminal justice. They also must pass a psychological and medical exam, a background investigation, and fitness and drug tests.

In addition, applicants must pass a written exam and an oral interview before becoming eligible for consideration.

Recruits receive basic training at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, the department’s recruit school and one year of on-the-job training before working alone in the field. Training for those hired will include wildlife law investigations, aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, wildlife management principles, vehicle operations, defensive tactics and arrest procedures.

Applications will be accepted until Oct. 8, and physical assessments and interviews will take place Nov. 3-4 in Santa Fe. Candidates who pass the interviews may be required to stay in Santa Fe until Nov. 8 for further testing.

In addition to enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, conservation officers educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture “problem animals,” investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.

For more information, visit the department’s enforcement page or contact recruiting officer Brady Griffith at 505-795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.