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/

The Wildlife Management Division is responsible for providing long-term, sustainable management of New Mexico's game species. Within the Wildlife Management Division, the private land programs work with landowners to address concerns they have with wildlife on private deeded land.

Why does the job exist?

This position supervises the Department's Private Land Programs within the Wildlife Management Division. These programs include the Elk Private Land Use System (EPLUS) and Open Gate programs. The EPLUS (19.30.5 NMAC) program recognizes the contributions of private land and landowners to the management of elk and issues hunting permits to qualifying landowners. The Open Gate (OG) program (19.34.7 NMAC) works with private landowners to gain public hunting, fishing or trapping access to private land or improve access to public land.

How does it get done?

Oversee the Department’s EPLUS and OG Programs:

1) Become familiar with the EPLUS and OG programs and the rules and policies that govern them.
2) Work with the coordinators of each program to ensure annual agreements, authorization statements, and other program documents are being sent out and processed in a timely manner and that program deadlines are met.
3) Establish and maintain policy and procedural consistency across regions for all programs.
4) Ensure each program is operating within the sideboards established by Department rules and policies.
5) Work with program coordinators to ensure there is good communication with Area offices regarding private land programs, ongoing and new projects.
6) Work with program coordinators to ensure there is good communication with the appropriate species biologist(s) and that each person is aware of changes that may affect the implementation or administration of their corresponding programs.
7) Work with EPLUS and OG program coordinators to identify ways each program could be improved.  Work through direct supervisor and appropriate supervisory chains to implement changes that have been approved through proper Department procedures.
8) Review EPLUS and OG contracts, annual agreements, authorization statements and other program documents for accuracy.
9) Work with the OG program coordinator to develop a strategic plan to identify high priority areas of interest to pursue additional access opportunities.
11) Work with the OG program coordinator and other Department staff to ensure financial procedures are followed and payments to participants happen in a timely manner.

Administration and Customer Service:

1) Develop a strong understanding of what can and can not be accomplished through Department programs.
2) Communicate regularly with supervised staff. Work through supervisory chain to ensure they have the tools necessary to do their jobs. Ensure they are completing tasks in a timely manner and are producing good quality work.
3) Develop an understanding of other department programs so customers can be directed to other programs that may be of assistance.
4) Submit all required reports, receipts, or other documents in a timely manner.
5) Keep all equipment clean and in good working order. Conduct regularly scheduled maintenance (e.g., oil changes) in a timely manner.
6) Communicate effectively within your chain of command. When working with other divisions, be sure to adhere to the proper chain of command and follow proper protocols.
7) Communication - Always maintaining the highest level of professionalism when communicating (written or verbal) with both external and internal customers. Providing landowners, staff from other agencies, and any other external customers with the best possible customer service is expected. Professionally written reports, memos and e-mails, are expected. Establishing and maintaining regular contact with immediate supervisor, Private Land Specialists, Area staff, Field Operations staff, and WMD staff (as appropriate) is expected. Constantly evaluating the lines of communication for all customers, while identifying and correcting any communication problems is expected. Notifying immediate supervisor of issues, concerns, and problems or issues that may develop into problems down the road is expected.
8) Provide customer service and answer phone calls related to hunting and fishing regulations.
9) Other duties may include ¿ Assisting with field surveys to determine animal populations and herd composition. Assisting with animal trap and transplant operations. Assisting with field check stations. Assisting with population management hunts. Serving as backup for managers of the other private land programs including EPLUS and OG.

Oversee the Department’s Private Land Management Program:

1) Develop an outreach program and educational materials to promote the private land program. As appropriate, work with the I&E division to develop and produce these materials. Attend landowner workshops, conferences and other meetings to promote the program.
2) Work through established department programs to assist landowners interested in learning how their property could be improved for the benefit of wildlife. Be familiar with programs offered through other agencies that may be able to assist landowners conduct or implement these projects.
3) In conjunction with the Private Land Specialist Supervisor, private land program staff or other WMD staff members (as appropriate), conduct field reviews of properties and assist these landowners to develop a conservation management plans that will help them reach their management goals and (if applicable) enhance their ability to participate in private land programs.
4) Work through direct supervisor and any appropriate chains of command to request help of the Department’s PLS or other Department staff as needed to complete projects.

Who are the customers?

Landowners throughout the state of New Mexico. Other Department of Wildlife staff, including biologists, district officers and administrators. Cooperating staff from other state or federal agencies.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate would have the following:

(1) supervisory experience
(2) experience managing regional or statewide programs
(3) experience managing controversial programs
(4) experience working with private landowners and private land programs
(5) experience evaluating properties to assess their value for wild, free ranging wildlife species
(6) Prior experience using GIS (e.g., ArcGIS, ArcPro, Field Maps) to manage and monitor field projects

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of professional level experience operating within parameters and guidelines directly related to the purpose of the position defined by the agency at the time of recruitment.  Any combination of education from an accredited college or university and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling nine (9) years may substitute for the required education and experience.  A hiring agency will designate a portion of the required experience to include supervisory and/or specialized experience.  Any required licensure, certification or registration shall be defined at the time of recruitment and will be in addition to the above requirements.

Questions about the job may be directed to the hiring supervisor

Bob Osborn

(505) 469-5927

Robert.Osborn@dgf.nm.gov