CYFD hopes to fill 300+ positions, reduce caseloads for staff

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department is working to fill over 300 positions. They held a hiring event Tuesday.

“Just looking to be able to build on the skills that I already have, and looking for a different career, change,” said Donald Hay, a foster parent who is interested in working for CYFD.

At the rapid hire event, they screened applicants and matched them with careers they were suited for. They also offered on-site interviews and background checks.

Natividad Posada, a regional deputy director with CYFD, said that once someone is hired, they go through extensive training.

“We have what we call our NET, it’s our new employee training,” Posada said. “And that is a six-week series. It just goes over what a caseload would look like, what it would look like if you were out in the field.”

Posada said the department has hundreds of vacancies they’re looking to fill – positions like investigations, fieldwork, and intake.

“I think the biggest piece is the caseload,” Posada said. “Bringing the caseload down for our staff, so they are able to fully work on their current cases.”

Posada said the workload and stress lead to higher turnover rates. In the upcoming legislative session, she hopes the department will get more help.

“There’s a lot of programs that we really need, there are a lot of facilities that were shut down,” Posada said. “That makes it harder for us to find the services for kids and our families. So we really want more facilities to open up.”

Posada says, along with full benefits and competitive pay, CYFD also offers employee counseling if needed. The hiring event will wrap up around 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state fairgrounds.

For more information about openings within the department, click here.