Law Enforcement Officer (EMNRD #5321) - Now Hiring

The State of New Mexico is hiring a Law Enforcement Officer for the Forestry Division in Santa Fe, NM. This role involves enforcing the Forest Conservation Act, conducting investigations, patrols, and managing law enforcement activities statewide. The position requires a bachelor's degree and offers a salary range of $61,294 - $91,941 annually. Ideal candidates should have law enforcement experience, strong communication skills, and knowledge of forest management.
$29.47 - $44.20 Hourly

$61,294 - $91,941 Annually

This position is a Pay Band PH

Posting Details

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

The New Mexico Forestry Division retains lead responsibility for wildland fire management on all non-federal, non-tribal, and non-municipal lands, maintaining fire suppression capacities and emphasizing public and firefighters' safety. The Forestry Division promotes healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds in New Mexico for the benefit of current and future generations.

Why does the job exist?

This position is to implement the Forestry Division's Law Enforcement (LE) Program statewide. The position will conduct law enforcement field activities, such as investigations, patrols, arrests, issuing citation or criminal complaints, writing reports and providing testimony in court. The position will manage program objectives, plan and report on accomplishments, and assist with budgeting and training in coordination with field unit supervisors and Forestry Division leadership.

How does it get done?

Enforce the Forest Conservation Act, rules and regulation and related state statutes. Conduct investigations and field patrols. Collect evidence, complete reports, make arrests, file charges and provide testimony in court. Write clear, concise and accurate reports and prepare legal documents for court prosecutions and criminal complaints and work towards recovery of fire suppression costs. Successfully complete Forest Conservation Law on the job field training, firearms certification, fire investigation certification training and attain a Forestry Division Commission from the State Forester to accomplish job duties. Assist District Foresters by providing FEPP vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection and inventory. Assist District Foresters with defensive driving and wildland cause and determination training for staff and local fire department personnel. Assist District Foresters and staff with general district programs and projects where needed. This includes acquiring and maintaining basic forest management skills and basic wildland fire management and suppression skills. Assists District Fire Management Officers with driver's license checks for employment of Emergency Firefighters. Work with outside law enforcement agencies to enforce the Forest Conservation Act. Utilize Join Powers agreements, contracts, field operations, joint trainings and patrols to link similar goals and objectives of the Forestry Division and other natural resource agencies to increase resource protection capacity statewide.

Who are the customers?

The State of New Mexico, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, New Mexico Law Enforcement Training Academy and local government agencies.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:

- Strong working knowledge of forest management.
- Experience in law enforcement.
- Experience working under stressful situations.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Experience providing excellent customer service.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Political Science, or other related field and four (4) years of experience in law enforcement, criminal and/or white collar or economic/financial fraud investigations. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Must be a New Mexico Certified and Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer (Police Officer), or be eligible for Certification by Waiver, subject to the provisions of Chapter 29, Article 1 NMSA 1978, as set forth in 29-7-6 NMSA 1978, 29-7-10 NMSA 1978 and 10.29.6 NMAC, and as specifically enacted in statute, as established by the New Mexico Legislature, conferring statutory authority upon an agency to appoint, employ, and commission Police Officers pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 29 NMSA 1978 or pursuant to NMSA 1978, 60-13-9(G), 70-5-20 and 60-14-4(T).

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 8 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 8 years of experience 2 Associate's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 6 years of experience Associate's degree or higher in any field AND 8 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 4 years of experience 4 Master's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 2 years of experience 5 PhD degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 0 years of experience
•Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.

•If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of "semester hours" in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. A pre-employment background investigation, fitness test, physical, psychological exam and drug tests are required and conditional pending results. Must become a certified Law Enforcement Officer from New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy with one (1) year of acceptance to the Academy.

Working Conditions

Performs work in office and field settings. Will be required to work irregular or extended work hours. Extensive travel statewide necessary. May be exposed to hazardous working conditions/inclement weather. Exposed to risk of physical injury. May be required to discharge a firearm in the line of duty. Must apply appropriate law enforcement techniques and use of force in high-risk situations. Must be able to operate 4-wheel drive vehicle in rough terrain. Must be able to work in wildland fire environment. Must be able to pass physical fitness requirements set by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Training Academy. Must be able to annually pass national wildland firefighter qualifications. Must be able to pass annual firearms qualification. Must be willing to accept change in geographical assignments. Random drug testing.

Supplemental Information

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here

Agency Contact Information: Michael Gonzales (505) 681-6613 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.
$29.47 - $44.20 Hourly

$61,294 - $91,941 Annually

This position is a Pay Band PH

Posting Details

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

The New Mexico Forestry Division retains lead responsibility for wildland fire management on all non-federal, non-tribal, and non-municipal lands, maintaining fire suppression capacities and emphasizing public and firefighters' safety. The Forestry Division promotes healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds in New Mexico for the benefit of current and future generations.

Why does the job exist?

This position is to implement the Forestry Division's Law Enforcement (LE) Program statewide. The position will conduct law enforcement field activities, such as investigations, patrols, arrests, issuing citation or criminal complaints, writing reports and providing testimony in court. The position will manage program objectives, plan and report on accomplishments, and assist with budgeting and training in coordination with field unit supervisors and Forestry Division leadership.

How does it get done?

Enforce the Forest Conservation Act, rules and regulation and related state statutes. Conduct investigations and field patrols. Collect evidence, complete reports, make arrests, file charges and provide testimony in court. Write clear, concise and accurate reports and prepare legal documents for court prosecutions and criminal complaints and work towards recovery of fire suppression costs. Successfully complete Forest Conservation Law on the job field training, firearms certification, fire investigation certification training and attain a Forestry Division Commission from the State Forester to accomplish job duties. Assist District Foresters by providing FEPP vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection and inventory. Assist District Foresters with defensive driving and wildland cause and determination training for staff and local fire department personnel. Assist District Foresters and staff with general district programs and projects where needed. This includes acquiring and maintaining basic forest management skills and basic wildland fire management and suppression skills. Assists District Fire Management Officers with driver's license checks for employment of Emergency Firefighters. Work with outside law enforcement agencies to enforce the Forest Conservation Act. Utilize Join Powers agreements, contracts, field operations, joint trainings and patrols to link similar goals and objectives of the Forestry Division and other natural resource agencies to increase resource protection capacity statewide.

Who are the customers?

The State of New Mexico, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, New Mexico Law Enforcement Training Academy and local government agencies.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:

- Strong working knowledge of forest management.
- Experience in law enforcement.
- Experience working under stressful situations.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Experience providing excellent customer service.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Political Science, or other related field and four (4) years of experience in law enforcement, criminal and/or white collar or economic/financial fraud investigations. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Must be a New Mexico Certified and Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer (Police Officer), or be eligible for Certification by Waiver, subject to the provisions of Chapter 29, Article 1 NMSA 1978, as set forth in 29-7-6 NMSA 1978, 29-7-10 NMSA 1978 and 10.29.6 NMAC, and as specifically enacted in statute, as established by the New Mexico Legislature, conferring statutory authority upon an agency to appoint, employ, and commission Police Officers pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 29 NMSA 1978 or pursuant to NMSA 1978, 60-13-9(G), 70-5-20 and 60-14-4(T).

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 8 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 8 years of experience 2 Associate's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 6 years of experience Associate's degree or higher in any field AND 8 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 4 years of experience 4 Master's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 2 years of experience 5 PhD degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 0 years of experience
•Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.

•If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of "semester hours" in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. A pre-employment background investigation, fitness test, physical, psychological exam and drug tests are required and conditional pending results. Must become a certified Law Enforcement Officer from New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy with one (1) year of acceptance to the Academy.

Working Conditions

Performs work in office and field settings. Will be required to work irregular or extended work hours. Extensive travel statewide necessary. May be exposed to hazardous working conditions/inclement weather. Exposed to risk of physical injury. May be required to discharge a firearm in the line of duty. Must apply appropriate law enforcement techniques and use of force in high-risk situations. Must be able to operate 4-wheel drive vehicle in rough terrain. Must be able to work in wildland fire environment. Must be able to pass physical fitness requirements set by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Training Academy. Must be able to annually pass national wildland firefighter qualifications. Must be able to pass annual firearms qualification. Must be willing to accept change in geographical assignments. Random drug testing.

Supplemental Information

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here

Agency Contact Information: Michael Gonzales (505) 681-6613 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.