Current Position: Staff Development & Safety Programs Coordinator
How long have you been with New Mexico State Parks?
3 years.
How did you become interested in working as Staff Development & Safety Programs Coordinator?
I had many years of military experience in various safety fields, and retired to become a public school and adult educator. This combination job suited me perfectly!
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Process training requests; find specific training opportunities (from water tech to heavy equipment to computer programs). Receive a report regarding a mishap - analyze it to determine corrective actions and how to prevent it from happening again. Spend the afternoon visiting one of our 35 state parks reviewing safety issues, making recommendations to improve work habits and provide protective equipment; inspect equipment for safety concerns and recommend repair or replacement as needed.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40 hours (50 intermittently during Fall and Spring safety inspection periods).
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working in the various parks, travel to and from the park, great people!
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Juggling limited budget; coordinating paperwork; persuading people that safety and training are important to their specific jobs.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
This position does not require formal training, but it does help. I've attended college, hold a NM Teaching License, and have been through many military- and civilian-related safety courses. Most of all, I've had previous experience in both of these areas and have learned to anticipate or see the problems and issues that might affect people.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More civilian safety experience would have helped, but I'm learning much of it on-the-job.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
In my current position, I can combine training with safety, so I enjoy giving interesting safety courses. We've recently put a respiratory protection plan into place and I've trained select personnel in the care and wear of specific respirators. We're moving to teach hands-on, live-fire fire extinguisher training in the near future. Finally, I complete safety surveys in each and every park/facility within NM State Parks Division. The facilities are interesting, the exhibits a great education, and the scenery can't be beat!
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
Breadth of experience and skills is crucial in life. The more experiences you've had, the more valuable you become to an organization. Be respectful of others and develop good, safe work habits.
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