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.

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

Next Hiring September – October 2025

Minimum Qualifications
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

• 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 public to provide simple information on wildlife regulations and laws.

Updated 8-30- 2024:
Job Announcement Information

• September 3^rd: Job Announcement Opens
• October 18^th: Job Announcement Closes

The Selection Process

• December 7^th: Physical Pre-Assessment Testing (see physical standards for below 6,000 feet) and Wildlife Written Exam (see sample test for study tips): Albuquerque
• December 8^th-9^th: Pre-employment Background Investigation (if applicant passed physical pre-assessment testing): Albuquerque
• December 10^th-11^th: Formal interviews: Albuquerque
• December 12^th: Psychological Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque
• December 13^th: Medical Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque
• December 14^th: Uniform & Body Armor fitting at Galls/Kaufman’s West (if given a conditional job offer): Albuquerque

Training You’ll Receive in 2025

• January 6^th: Start date. Report for duty at the NMDGF Southeast Area Office in Roswell at 6:30 AM (MST).
• January 9^th: Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Basic Police Officer Physical Pre- Assessment (same physical standards as completed on December 7^th, 2024): Hobbs
• January 13^th-22^nd: Recruit Basic Firearms Training: Hagerman
• January 26^th: Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Basic Police Officer Training (#A-25-53), Commencement- Hobbs
• May 23^rd: Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Basic Police Officer Training (#A-25-53) Graduation- Hobbs
• June 2^nd-11^th: Recruit School Block 1, Chapter 17 Law: Roswell
• June 16^th-20^th: Recruit School Block 2: Roswell
• June 23^rd-July 3^rd: On the Job Workshop: Roswell
• July 7^th: Hunter Education Instructor Workshop: Roswell
• July 8^th-9^th: Law Enforcement ATV/OHV Training: Roswell
• July 10^th-11^th: Wildlife Restraint, Immobilization and Euthanasia: Roswell

Field Training

• July 19^th *: Report for duty to your assigned Field Training Officer (FTO) for 14 weeks of in the field training
• September 5^th *: Recruits will get their district duty station assignments and can begin preparing to find housing etc. Prior to receiving district assignments, Recruits will select their top 3 preferred district choices from a list of all vacant districts at that time. The Department’s Field Operations Division Administration will consider recruit preference before assigning them to district, which could be anywhere in the state. However, the assigned district will be based on Department need.
• October 25^th *: Upon successful completion of training, Recruits will be promoted to District Wildlife Officer and will be stationed in their own district.

*These are approximate dates.  The exact date will be situation or 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

- 2024 Game Warden Recruit Hiring Timeline (Fall)

- Sample Written Test

- Game Warden Physical Fitness Standards

- Game Warden Brochure (08-29-2024)

See also: NMDGF Featured Officers