This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

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/

This position will work within the Habitat & Lands Section of the Wildlife Management Division at the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. The Habitat & Lands Section manages collaborative wildlife habitat restoration projects statewide, in addition to managing infrastructure and habitat improvements on New Mexico State Game Commission-owned Wildlife Management Areas throughout New Mexico.

This is a farmworker position that is required to perform the duties of planting, cultivating, pesticide application, irrigation and habitat manipulation for resident/wintering waterfowl and all other wildlife on the Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) along with any other projects deemed necessary by management. This position will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment and farm equipment such as tractors, plows, cultivators, sprayers, grain drills, discs and mowers, dozers, backhoes, road graders, scrapers, and transports. This position must work with the Manager and Farmworker Advanced on the WMA to monitor and track the daily operations and production of the WMA to ensure its success. This position will be responsible for overnight travel throughout the state of New Mexico throughout the year to assist in heavy equipment, land management, and agricultural related activities on other wildlife and waterfowl management areas under Game Commission ownership. This position must know statutory regulations for the Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Management Complex and respond to questions and comments from the public.

Task 1: Produce and maintain non-agricultural habitat and agricultural crops for resident and non-resident wildlife for public viewing and hunting opportunities on the Bernardo and La Joya Waterfowl
Management Areas.

Task 2: Maintain facilities, equipment, and grounds. Ensure proper and safe operation of equipment and vehicles. Clean and monitor equipment, facilities, and grounds on a regular basis. Perform
maintenance needs for equipment and vehicles as required.

Task 3: Report any repair needs to supervisor. Operate and maintain heavy equipment and farm equipment such as tractors, plows, cultivators, sprayers, seed drills, discs and mowers, bulldozers,
backhoes, road graders, scrapers and transports. Irrigate crops and other plantings, and monitor water levels in moist soil units (ponds) using flood and pump irrigation systems. Irrigate crops
without over-watering to prevent crop damage.

Task 4: Assist other Department personnel in land management activities on other wildlife and waterfowl management areas
under Game Commission ownership throughout.

The public who enjoy wildlife and wildlife habitat. Other Department of Game and Fish staff, including biologists, district officers and administrators. Cooperating staff from other state and federal agencies.

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and education:

Experience in agriculture production, including experience in planting, cultivating, soil preparation, and irrigation.

Experience with the use and maintenance of heavy machinery including agriculture tractors and implements and heavy equipment etc.

Experience with the maintenance of infrastructure including fences, water wells, buildings, etc.

Associate’s degree in Agricultural Science, Aquaculture, Animal Science or Wildlife Science, or other closely related field and two (2) years in farm or ranch related experience including basic construction, electrical, and plumbing skills, heavy and farm equipment operation/maintenance, fisheries and/or wildlife habitat management. Substitutions Apply. See Substitution Table below.

Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Must have Pesticide Applicators license or be able to obtain one six months from first day of employment.

Must have a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), or be able obtain one twelve months from first day of employment.

Will work outside approximately 90% of time.

This job requires both office work and field work. Office work – normal indoor environment with sitting, talking on phone, time using a computer and software including Microsoft Windows programs. Some standing at fax and copy machines, lifting of moderately heavy items (10-40 lb), such as boxes of paper, envelopes and annually prepared documents.

Field work – Frequent lifting 10 – 50 lbs. Occasional lifting 80 lbs. Frequent twisting, bending, standing, climbing, and sitting. Will operate agricultural and heavy equipment including transport trucks, tractors, bulldozers, graders, and others with 20 various implement attachments. Will also utilize ATVs, UTVs, and a Department 4×4 vehicle on a daily basis. Will use hand tools, power tools, welders, cutting torches, plasma clutters, tire machines and pressure washers. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Occasional weekend or evening work is required. The ability to work outside in inclement weather (hot, cold, rain, snow, mud, wind, etc.) is required.

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.