Joe Alvarez

A portrait of man in a hat and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform
Engineering Equipment Operator/Maintenance
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge System
Address

5686 Santa Gertrudis Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88012
United States

Send a Message

Contact Joe Alvarez

Fill out the form below to send a message.

If you would like a response, please provide your name and email address. If you are a minor, please get your parent’s or guardian’s help to contact us.

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

For more on what we do with information you provide and how we protect your privacy, see our privacy statement.

Cancel

About Joe Alvarez

A man in a hat and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform sitting in the cab of a vehicle
Image Details
Joe Alvarez checking out a work vehicle.

Joe Alvarez, an engineering equipment operator, has been a maintenance worker at San Andres National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico since 2019. For 11 years before that he worked at the International Boundary and Water Commission.



What he loves about the job:

“The support I get from my fellow wage-grade workers assigned to other national wildlife refuges.”



What’s most interesting and rewarding about it:

“Seeing all the wildlife and beauty of the refuge and knowing that I have a huge role in maintaining it for future generations. All the road work, repairs to water catchments and drinkers, erosion control, etc., is done not only for Fish and Wildlife Service purposes but also for biologists or botanists from other agencies wanting to do studies on the refuge. All of that makes me feel really good.” 

What’s most challenging about it:

“Getting used to the agency’s different policies and requirements.”



Skills you must have to succeed at it:

“Problem-solving. A lot of the time you have to come up with a solution on your own. Second would be confidence in your ability to handle any situation when working with heavy equipment or in general maintenance. Third would be willingness to work with others as a team.” 



Animal he identifies with:

“Grizzly bear. Because I don't mind being by myself, and I am a huge fan of wild game meat.”

To find available refuge maintenance-related jobs, go to USAJobs.gov. Search “WG-3502,” “WG-4749,” “WG-5716,” “laborer,” “maintenance,” “maintenance mechanic” and/or “engineering equipment operator.” Filter by “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” or “Department of the Interior.” Standards and experience requirements vary with specific positions. Details about job standards.