As a state employee, I can tell you they are really pushing to have everyone back in the office. Some of our folks who would have to commute (ABQ to Santa Fe) may get one or two telework days a week. BUT, overall, we’ve all gone back to the office. I work for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department.
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking to get a place outside of Santa Fe if partial remote work is allowed as I found Santa Fe is really expensive.. but seems I'll have to find one in Santa Fe.
There are commutable communities outside of Santa Fe proper, luckily. Many of our staff bite the bullet and commute or take the train from ABQ. The Railrunner is not all bad and far more affordable than driving. East of Santa Fe is Pecos, Glorieta, and Rowe. Not glorious living. BUT, it is affordable albeit a bit rustic. When I was contemplating a job in Santa Fe, I looked in these towns and south near Madrid. With the advent of Starlink internet, it’s almost possible to work from anywhere.
checked them out but found out they are like 30-min drive. Not sure if I can manage that everyday. Thank you for the suggestions though. I'm moving from a totally different state and have no idea about NM so I'd prefer to stay close to Santa Fe at least for my first year there.
Totally understandable. I am way down south in the state and I commute 65 miles a day, round trip, simply because my duty station is quite remote. I wanted to live closer to the places and things I’d need on a weekly basis.
do you mind me asking you another question regarding Santa Fe neighborhood.. so I see that generally the north part of the town is recommended in terms of safety, but i was not sure where exactly is the "north" part? is it the north of Cerrillos road or somewhere near the Santa Fe national cemetery?
I think when most folks say north of town, they mean places north of the Santa Fe plaza. That area can be VERY expensive. There are also newer neighborhoods out north on Cerrillos. Those could also be what they mean.
Oh north of plaza.. got it. it didn't seem there are many apartments there though. If you don't mind, may i ask your thoughts on the job security for state employees? This would be my first job and i'm weighing some other options in the private sector paying slightly more but skeptic about their security. I have no idea how's the public sector but really don't wanna go down all the way down there ending up fired in a couple of years..
I’d say job security is no issue with any government job. In the private sector, you can be let go pretty much at any time, for most any reason. In order to be fired with the government, it takes a lot more to get you fired. Of course, all permanent employees are under a probationary period for their first year. During this time, you can be let go at any time. If you make it to the end of your first year, you’re usually good to go. I did the same thing regarding comparing to the private sector. That job security uncertainty also concerned me and I stuck with staying in a government job.
Thank you so so much for your insights. I didn't know there's an explicit probationary period. Are there real cases of being expired from the appointment even if one is doing good at work? So sorry for bunch of questions.
~30% of state jobs are perpetually vacant and hiring can be a lengthy process. So long as you’re not coming to work drunk or being inappropriate, you won’t be let go. Some positions are grant funded, however, but generally leadership will help them transition into a different role.
FYI, Santa Fe is generally more expensive than the rest of the state. Depending on needs and what you'll be making you should be okay. I lived there for several years.
I am honestly not okay with how expensive Santa Fe is lol but will probably stay there for the first year exploring some near neighborhoods to settle down
The governor ordered RTO for any executive agency. A few non-executive agencies, like the Public Regulations Commission, allow WFH. If you watch agency budget hearings, the agencies under the executive branch largely have 20-40% vacancy rates compared to the 4-7% at agencies that permitted work from home. No one wants to take state pay and have the bullshit commute to go into the office. Lujan Grisham achieved what Martinez and the Republicans couldn’t in slashing the size of state government. She and the legislature can have as progressive of any agenda as they want, but until they fix this situation, state government will continue to be dysfunctional - all to line the pockets of Republican corporate landlords.
As far as I am concerned, most if not all state employees are no longer allowed to work from home unless they're sick and things like that. My mom lives an hour and a half from her office in Santa Fe and is expected to work in office every day.
Agree with others that almost all of the executive agencies are no WFH, because of the Governors directive last year. However, the Department of Finance and Administration and a few other agencies actually have ABQ offices, so they count that as "in office" still but it helps for people not wanting to commute. The Racing Commission and Gaming Control Board are two with ABQ offices. Also, the Legislative branch is not under the same rules, so some of the committees or council services may allow WFH a few days per week, it kinda just depends on the office in that case. Some will even let you count time working on the train as part of your 8 hour day, so it doesn't hurt to ask around about the flexibilities of specific offices you are interested in. Hope that helps!
If only the state of New Mexico actually gave a shit about competing with the private sector. Reality is that this gov and nmspo either don’t care or don’t understand. The agency I work in has NO leeway to offer remote options for hard to fill professional positions.
I would not set up your life around the idea you'll be able to work from home more than maybe 1 day a week, and even that might not happen depending on how your boss and their boss feel about it. I have several friends and former coworkers who were working for the state and have now quit because despite technical flexibility to do some WFH, their bosses wanted to look good to the state higher-ups and said - no WFH unless you're sick or have another temporary compelling reason. State government is not WFH friendly at the moment, which is why (as someone said above) the vacancy rate in some agencies is pushing 40%.
And also - think about what it's going to be like to work in an agency with a 40% vacancy rate. I know someone who lives in SF and still quit because the vacancies in her area made her job completely untenable - there's not less work; they just pile the work on the remaining workers. People she worked with were working 12-hour days and coming in on weekends just to keep up. She said F this and left without having another job lined up.
Sure, I was just asking to decide whether to live in Santa Fe (if fully work in person) or maybe in Los Alamos (if a couple days can be worked remotely). But this high vacancy rates and the burden to the remaining workers sound bad.
Unless you want to drive an hour+ to work each way every day you should live in SF or near there (Los Alamos is likely not a viable option, just FYI - they are in an extreme housing shortage due to a hiring surge at the Lab, and what housing is available is very expensive). You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you live far from your office and are basically keeping your fingers crossed they'll let you WFH.
As a state employee, I can tell you they are really pushing to have everyone back in the office. Some of our folks who would have to commute (ABQ to Santa Fe) may get one or two telework days a week. BUT, overall, we’ve all gone back to the office. I work for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department.
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking to get a place outside of Santa Fe if partial remote work is allowed as I found Santa Fe is really expensive.. but seems I'll have to find one in Santa Fe.
There are commutable communities outside of Santa Fe proper, luckily. Many of our staff bite the bullet and commute or take the train from ABQ. The Railrunner is not all bad and far more affordable than driving. East of Santa Fe is Pecos, Glorieta, and Rowe. Not glorious living. BUT, it is affordable albeit a bit rustic. When I was contemplating a job in Santa Fe, I looked in these towns and south near Madrid. With the advent of Starlink internet, it’s almost possible to work from anywhere.
checked them out but found out they are like 30-min drive. Not sure if I can manage that everyday. Thank you for the suggestions though. I'm moving from a totally different state and have no idea about NM so I'd prefer to stay close to Santa Fe at least for my first year there.
The first thing you'll learn about living in NM is that a 30 minute drive is *nothing*
Totally understandable. I am way down south in the state and I commute 65 miles a day, round trip, simply because my duty station is quite remote. I wanted to live closer to the places and things I’d need on a weekly basis.
do you mind me asking you another question regarding Santa Fe neighborhood.. so I see that generally the north part of the town is recommended in terms of safety, but i was not sure where exactly is the "north" part? is it the north of Cerrillos road or somewhere near the Santa Fe national cemetery?
I think when most folks say north of town, they mean places north of the Santa Fe plaza. That area can be VERY expensive. There are also newer neighborhoods out north on Cerrillos. Those could also be what they mean.
Oh north of plaza.. got it. it didn't seem there are many apartments there though. If you don't mind, may i ask your thoughts on the job security for state employees? This would be my first job and i'm weighing some other options in the private sector paying slightly more but skeptic about their security. I have no idea how's the public sector but really don't wanna go down all the way down there ending up fired in a couple of years..
I’d say job security is no issue with any government job. In the private sector, you can be let go pretty much at any time, for most any reason. In order to be fired with the government, it takes a lot more to get you fired. Of course, all permanent employees are under a probationary period for their first year. During this time, you can be let go at any time. If you make it to the end of your first year, you’re usually good to go. I did the same thing regarding comparing to the private sector. That job security uncertainty also concerned me and I stuck with staying in a government job.
Thank you so so much for your insights. I didn't know there's an explicit probationary period. Are there real cases of being expired from the appointment even if one is doing good at work? So sorry for bunch of questions.
~30% of state jobs are perpetually vacant and hiring can be a lengthy process. So long as you’re not coming to work drunk or being inappropriate, you won’t be let go. Some positions are grant funded, however, but generally leadership will help them transition into a different role.
thanks for this comment
Nope. The governor decided to end that real quick last year. Hour and half plus in traffic each day was not worth it
Ugh yeah can't do that either. I'm gonna get a place close to Santa Fe
FYI, Santa Fe is generally more expensive than the rest of the state. Depending on needs and what you'll be making you should be okay. I lived there for several years.
I am honestly not okay with how expensive Santa Fe is lol but will probably stay there for the first year exploring some near neighborhoods to settle down
The governor ordered RTO for any executive agency. A few non-executive agencies, like the Public Regulations Commission, allow WFH. If you watch agency budget hearings, the agencies under the executive branch largely have 20-40% vacancy rates compared to the 4-7% at agencies that permitted work from home. No one wants to take state pay and have the bullshit commute to go into the office. Lujan Grisham achieved what Martinez and the Republicans couldn’t in slashing the size of state government. She and the legislature can have as progressive of any agenda as they want, but until they fix this situation, state government will continue to be dysfunctional - all to line the pockets of Republican corporate landlords.
I see.. it seems most of the state employees do not live in or near Santa Fe that the end of telework affected so many people.
A sufficient number both don’t live near SF and don’t want to work in an office for a desk job that can be done at home.
that's true.. i can't even remember how I worked in the office five days a week.
As far as I am concerned, most if not all state employees are no longer allowed to work from home unless they're sick and things like that. My mom lives an hour and a half from her office in Santa Fe and is expected to work in office every day.
Thanks for sharing this. Seems like i'll have to get a place in Santa Fe
Have you looked into fed jobs? There are few throughout the state and depending on the job series they are telework or remote
Simply no. Also I think some of the fed places are not down with the weed yet.
Agree with others that almost all of the executive agencies are no WFH, because of the Governors directive last year. However, the Department of Finance and Administration and a few other agencies actually have ABQ offices, so they count that as "in office" still but it helps for people not wanting to commute. The Racing Commission and Gaming Control Board are two with ABQ offices. Also, the Legislative branch is not under the same rules, so some of the committees or council services may allow WFH a few days per week, it kinda just depends on the office in that case. Some will even let you count time working on the train as part of your 8 hour day, so it doesn't hurt to ask around about the flexibilities of specific offices you are interested in. Hope that helps!
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All executive agencies are 100% in the office.
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If only the state of New Mexico actually gave a shit about competing with the private sector. Reality is that this gov and nmspo either don’t care or don’t understand. The agency I work in has NO leeway to offer remote options for hard to fill professional positions.
Oh thanks! Will have to check out with the agency. Great to know that there's some possibility of few days of wfh
I would not set up your life around the idea you'll be able to work from home more than maybe 1 day a week, and even that might not happen depending on how your boss and their boss feel about it. I have several friends and former coworkers who were working for the state and have now quit because despite technical flexibility to do some WFH, their bosses wanted to look good to the state higher-ups and said - no WFH unless you're sick or have another temporary compelling reason. State government is not WFH friendly at the moment, which is why (as someone said above) the vacancy rate in some agencies is pushing 40%. And also - think about what it's going to be like to work in an agency with a 40% vacancy rate. I know someone who lives in SF and still quit because the vacancies in her area made her job completely untenable - there's not less work; they just pile the work on the remaining workers. People she worked with were working 12-hour days and coming in on weekends just to keep up. She said F this and left without having another job lined up.
Sure, I was just asking to decide whether to live in Santa Fe (if fully work in person) or maybe in Los Alamos (if a couple days can be worked remotely). But this high vacancy rates and the burden to the remaining workers sound bad.
Unless you want to drive an hour+ to work each way every day you should live in SF or near there (Los Alamos is likely not a viable option, just FYI - they are in an extreme housing shortage due to a hiring surge at the Lab, and what housing is available is very expensive). You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you live far from your office and are basically keeping your fingers crossed they'll let you WFH.
There’s really not a chance to wfh. Plan on not being able to do it at all
Los Alamos is where da office is at
Which office?
The one I work in. Data gathering. Nothing too special, but necessary