Focuses on Recruitment and Retention, Current Agency Vacancy Rate 15.7%

SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is proud to announce a 20% reduction in the vacancies across the agency, as a result of the first year of the targeted recruitment and retention efforts. The effort to reduce the employee vacancy rate launched in Spring 2023. The 15.7% vacancy rate is well below the Statewide agency vacancy rate, which currently sits at approximately 21.86%.

“Thanks to a dual strategy approach, we leveraged awareness campaigns about NMDOT, raising awareness about career opportunities at the agency, and we also focused on retention, offering a package of perks for our employees,” said Ricky Serna, Cabinet Secretary.

The agency utilized multiple strategies to enhance engagement and recruitment. The state saw a 200% increase in average monthly traffic to the NMDOT Careers page and increased its number of Facebook page followers by 25% in 6 months, to more than 20,000.   In addition to reducing the vacancy rate and more than doubling monthly traffic to the NMDOT Careers page, the strategies below have also helped the agency achieve an average of 14,000 engagements on LinkedIn each month.

Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna continued, “Recruitment and Retention is the top priority for NMDOT, we want our current DOT team members to have a variety of incentives, while we add talented new staff to our team.”

The agency has also implemented a variety of internal incentives to support these efforts, including the introduction of a Longevity Pay Program to reward continuous years of service with the agency, an Alternative Worksite Arrangement program, to help employees reduce their time spent commuting, and a Referral Bonus Program to reward employees who recruit others to a career with the NMDOT. The agency also continues to recognize outstanding employees throughout the department on a regular basis.

Efforts Included:

  • Creative social media campaigns and updated content to reach new audiences and attract followers who were previously not engaged with the NMDOT’S pages, such as:
    • Name a Snowplow Contest – inaugural seasonal campaign naming the agency’s snowplows and engaging with new audiences around the state
    • Launched a Zippy the Safety Mascot campaign
    • Highway History – celebrating the long history of transportation in New Mexico
    • Work These Roads – drawing awareness to the unique landscapes and communities in which NMDOT hires can build their careers
    • What Positions Do We Hire – providing information and awareness around the variety of NMDOT career opportunities
  • Strategic marketing of NMDOT campaigns on diverse platforms, including:
    • 200+ New Mexico community and professional groups on Facebook and LinkedIn
    • 130+ digital screens located in businesses around state and on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express
    • Clear Channel billboards along I-25 between Santa Fe and Albuquerque
    • 15 radio stations broadcasting in locations across the state
  • And, updates to the NMDOT Careers page to enhance the user experience and streamline the application process, such as:
    • Job listings on the landing page now update dynamically, ensuring the latest openings are always displayed to page visitors
    • Direct click-through from landing page to individual job listing and application
    • Launch of separate NMDOT Interns pages

Want to be a part of NMDOT? Statewide career opportunities abound, where you’ll make profound contributions to your communities, fellow citizens, and travelers in New Mexico. From bike paths to bridges, we do it all! Outstanding benefits, competitive pay, opportunities to expand your knowledge and experience to grow in one of the most uniquely beautiful states in the country.

Visit our website at:

Careers | NMDOT