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Conservation Officer

Protect
Albuquerque's
Natural Spaces

Conservation officers patrol and safeguard our city's open spaces, trails, and natural resources.

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  • Sign-on Bonus (Certified)

  • Starting Pay (Lateral)

  • Pension Eligibility

  • Sign-on Bonus (Non-Certified)

Pay & Benefits

$15,000 sign-on bonus for certified Conservation Officers; $10,000 sign-on bonus for non-certified — plus competitive pay and full city benefits.

  • Certified Lateral (0–24 months exp.)

    $31.49 / hour

    • Certified Lateral (0–24 months exp.) $31.49
    • Certified Lateral (24+ months exp.) $34.91
    • Non-Sworn (requires full academy) $30.75

  • Healthcare

    Comprehensive Coverage

    • Medical, dental, and hospitalization
    • City-provided coverage
    • Coverage starts day one

  • Retirement

    PERA System

    • PERA retirement system
    • Fully funded pension
    • Secure your future

  • Core Benefits

    • $15,000 sign-on bonus for certified Conservation Officers; $10,000 sign-on bonus for non-certified officers
    • PERA retirement — eligible after 25 years of service. Lateral officers who were already vested in PERA retain their 20-year vesting.
    • Take-home car after 1-year probation (within Chief-approved boundaries)
    • Education incentive: Bachelor's $62.31 / Master's $73.85 / PhD $85.38 (biweekly)
    • Bilingual pay: Full $23.08 / Conversational $9.23 (per pay period)
    • Shift differential: Swing $11.54 / Graveyard $23.08 (biweekly)
    • Medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Incentive Pay

    • Education (Bachelor's) $62.31 / pay period
    • SWAT / K9 $115.38 / pay period
    • Field Training Officer $350.00 / pay period
    • Bilingual (Full) $23.08 / pay period

Requirements

Conservation Officers must meet sworn officer standards. Certified laterals (in-state or out-of-state) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements

  • 21 years of age by the time of graduation from academy

  • U.S. citizen

  • High school diploma or GED

  • Valid driver's license (NM Class D license within 30 days of hire)

  • City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months of hire

  • 1-year probationary period from Academy graduation

Disqualifiers & Case-by-Case Reviews

  • Felonies

    Felony conviction or diversion adjudicated → permanent disqualification

  • Misdemeanors

    Misdemeanor conviction within last 3 years → may disqualify

  • DWI

    DWI conviction in last 5 years; 2+ DWIs in 10 years → disqualifying

  • Domestic Violence

    Domestic Violence Act conviction → disqualifying

Integrity Matters

Most disqualifications occur for lying, omitting, or minimizing facts — not for the underlying issue itself.

The Path to Becoming a Conservation Officer

A 10-step selection process designed to identify qualified, character-driven candidates for this specialized role.

  1. 1

    Interest Card

  2. 2

    Personal History Statement (PHS)

  3. 3

    Nelson-Denny Exam

  4. 4

    Submit Required Documents

  5. 5

    Written Psychological Exam

  6. 6

    Background Investigation

  7. 7

    Polygraph Exam

  8. 8

    Psychological Assessment Interview

  9. 9

    Chief's Selection Committee

  10. 10

    Medical Exam & Drug Screen

Lateral Academy

All Conservation Officers attend APD's Lateral Police Academy — a 10-week program. After graduation: Lateral Officers complete 12 weeks of OJT with Field Training Officers; Non-Sworn Officers complete 17 weeks of OJT with Field Training Officers.

Lateral Academy

  • APD Standard Operating Procedures

  • City of Albuquerque ordinances and enforcement practices

  • Scenario-based training, defensive tactics, and firearms

  • Community engagement in Open Space areas

  • Week Academy

  • Weeks OJT (Lateral)

  • Paid Training

  • Year Probation

  • Weeks OJT (Non-Sworn)

A Unique Path in Law Enforcement

Start as a Conservation Officer and build a specialized career protecting Albuquerque's environment and people. Pathways into sworn officer positions are available for those who meet requirements.

SWAT

APD's Special Weapons and Tactics team responds to hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, and high-risk warrants.

  • 2–4 years non-probationary service required

  • Competitive selection with physical and tactical assessments

  • $115.38 biweekly specialty pay

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Conservation Officer role at APD.

Do I get paid during the academy?

Yes — salary and benefits start Day 1.

Is the academy live-in?

No. You return home daily. Training is full-time, typically dayshift; however, some swing shifts are required depending on the phase of training.

Do you accept lateral officers from other agencies?

Yes. Out-of-state laterals must complete the NMDPS Certification by Waiver Packet 1 prior to applying.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen?

Yes.

Is there an upper age limit?

No upper limit, as long as you meet the physical fitness and performance requirements.

Where do most applicants get removed from the process?

Integrity violations — lying, omitting, or minimizing facts during the background investigation or polygraph process.

How do I schedule a ride-along?

Submit a ride-along request through APD’s Human Resources department. APD has seven Area Commands.

What if I can't locate my diploma?

A letter from your school on official letterhead with seal, stating your graduation date, will suffice. You can also request an official copy through Parchment at parchment.com.

Do you have a tattoo policy?

Yes. Tattoos are permissible while in duty uniform on the following areas: legs, arms, and hands. Tattoos must be preapproved for appropriateness by the Chain of Command before being displayed in uniform.

How long does the selection process usually take?

It can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months, but it varies.

How long do I have to work patrol?

You are on probation for one year from the date of graduation from the academy. Depending on the specialized unit, you may need to work a minimum of two years non-probationary (investigative units) or four years non-probationary (tactical units).

If I had a background investigation done with another agency or hold a top secret clearance, will APD still conduct one?

Yes. APD’s Background Unit will conduct its own thorough background investigation on everyone who makes it through weekend testing.

How many trips will out-of-state applicants need to make?

A minimum of two trips are required. The first trip is for weekend testing. The second covers the polygraph, psychological interview, and Chief’s Selection Committee. The medical exam will be completed once you move to Albuquerque to begin the academy.

How long is the police academy?

The academy for Conservation Officer is approximately 6–10 weeks for laterals. Non-sworn applicants attend the full APD Basic Academy.

What if I cannot locate all the documents required prior to my testing weekend?

If we ask for it, we need it. Bring what you have. For each missing document, attach a sheet of paper indicating what is missing. Your background file will not be worked until all documents are provided.

How can I submit an application?

Please click the “Apply Now” tab from the home page.

Will I have to purchase my own gear or will the department provide it?

You will need to buy your uniforms, shoes, and accessories. The department will provide a gun belt and firearm.

Do I need any college credits to be eligible to test as a Conservation Officer?

No college credits are required, though a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biology, ecology, environmental or wildlife management, or a related physical science is preferred when assigned to Open Space.

What happens after I graduate from the Conservation Officer academy?

You are on probation for the first year. For the first 12–17 weeks (at minimum) you will be in on-the-job training (OJT) with a field training officer. OJT is a practical application of what you learned in the academy.

What is a Notary, and how do I find one?

A Notary Public is an official appointed by state government to serve as an impartial witness for signing important documents. Notaries can often be found at your local bank or by searching online.

How do I get proof of my Selective Service Registration?

Visit https://www.sss.gov/verify/ for information on obtaining proof of your Selective Service registration.

Apply Today

Ready to Protect Albuquerque's Open Spaces?

Serve your community in a role unlike any other at APD. Conservation Officers blend law enforcement with environmental protection — patrol the trails, protect the spaces, serve the city.

Apply Now Contact a Recruiter