Careers in Enforcement

The following page provides information about the hiring process. Visit the State Personnel Office website to apply. 

Now Hiring!

Apply Here

Application Deadline: Monday, October 30th, 2023
To become a Game Warden, the educational requirements include a 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.
Essential duties and responsibilities of this position
• Conservation Officer Recruits participate and assist in wildlife management.
• Employees may assist in providing information on wildlife education, wildlife law enforcement, management, and research.
• Employees may assist in enforcing wildlife regulations and laws, and wildlife management.
• Employees may have contacts with the general public to provide simple information on wildlife regulations and laws.

Updated 9-08- 2023:

September 1^st: Job Announcement Opens
October 30^th: Job Announcement Closes
November 11^th: Physical Pre-Assessment Testing (see physical standards for below 6,000 feet) and Wildlife Written Exam (see sample test for study tips): Albuquerque
November 12^th: Pre-employment Background Investigation (if applicant passed physical pre-assessment testing): Albuquerque
November 13^th-15^th: Formal interviews: Albuquerque
November 16^th: Psychological Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque
November 17^th: Medical Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque
November 18^th: Uniform & Body Armor fitting at Galls/Kaufman’s West (if given a conditional job offer): Albuquerque
January 8^th: Start date. Report for duty at the NMDGF Southeast Area Office in Roswell at 08:00 MST.
January 9^th: Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Basic Police Officer Physical Pre- Assessment (same physical standards as completed on November 11^th, 2023): Hobbs
January 13^th-22^nd: Recruit Basic Firearms Training: Roswell
January 29^th: Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Basic Police Officer Training #A-24-51, Commencement- Hobbs
May 24^th: Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Basic Police Officer Training #A-24-51 Graduation- Hobbs
June 3^rd– 12^th: Recruit School Block 1, Chapter 17 Law: Roswell
June 13^th– 30^th: Recruit School Block 2: Roswell
July 15^th: Hunter Education Instructor Workshop: Albuquerque
July 16^th– 17^th: Law Enforcement ATV/OHV Training: Albuquerque
July 18^th– 19^th: Wildlife Restraint, Immobilization and Euthanasia: Albuquerque
July 22^nd– 26^th: Recruit Basic Boat Operations Training: Elephant Butte
August 5^th-9^th: Wilderness Patrol Tactics & Horse Packing: Gila Hot Springs
August 10^th *: Report for duty to your assigned Field Training Officer (FTO) for 14 weeks of in the field training
October *: Recruits will get their district duty station assignments and can begin preparing to find housing etc.
November 23^rd *: Upon successful completion of all training recruits will be promoted to District Wildlife Officer and will be stationed in their own district.  Duty stations could be anywhere in the state and will be based on Department need.

*These are approximate dates.  The exact date will be situation/recruit dependent and may vary from this schedule.

Please call or email Lt. Andrew Armendariz with any questions about becoming a Game Warden, the hiring process or to schedule a ride along with an officer in any area of the state.

*These are approximate dates.  The exact date will be situation/recruit dependent and may vary from this schedule.

Please call or email Lt. Andrew Armendariz with any questions about becoming a Game Warden, the hiring process or to schedule a ride along with an officer in any area of the state.

Andrew Armendariz
Lieutenant- Field Operations Division
New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
Cell Phone – (505) 690-9563
Email – Andrew.Armendariz@dgf.nm.gov

Conservation Officers (Fish and Game Wardens) can be found patrolling the lands and waters of the state day and night. Most people will tell you that enforcing the game and fish laws is their primary responsibility, but the job doesn’t stop there. In addition to enforcement, the conservation officer educates the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conducts wildlife surveys, captures “problem animals,” investigates wildlife damage to crops and property, assists in wildlife relocations and helps to develop new regulations.

Sample Written Test

Conservation Officer Physical Fitness Standards

Conservation Officer Brochure (09-07-2023)