NMED NEWS RELEASE
The New Mexico Environment Department released its2022 Employee Engagement Survey reportHighlighting the dedication and engagement of our employees who work hard for New Mexicans. The department has made significant progress in improving many aspects its work culture, but there is still much to be done.
This report includes data based on responses to 88 questions from this years survey. These are the key findings from this year’s report:
- 89% of our employees enjoy the work they do and 96% are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
- 92% of employees say their supervisor supports their employees needs to balance work and other life issues – up from 85% in 2019.
- Employees remain engaged in their work at a rate well beyond the national average, which is a 3 percentage point increase from the initial survey three years back.
- Despite the changes in the work environment over the past three years, the sharing of knowledge among employees within work units has remained constant.
Employees cite state-implemented Telework as one of their key benefits of working at the Department. NMEDs telework policy has led to increased recruitment and retention.
I proudly stand by and support our employees throughout New Mexico who are dedicated to our mission, our values and improving the workplace culture at New Mexico Environment Department. James Kenney, NMED Cabinet Secretary. We intend to hire over 100 new staff members and managers in the Department and throughout the state this fiscal year.
The survey showed improvements in several key areas including support for diversity in the workplace (a 15% decrease since 2020), the ability of a department to get a promotion (a 12 percent improvement since 2020), and rewards and recognitions for creativity and innovation (a 77% improvement since 2000).
Survey results indicate that NMED’s overall employee engagement is 65.55%. This compares to the 34% national average as measured and reported by the annual Gallup poll was last published in 2022.
NMED Employee Engagement Survey was established by Secretary Kenney shortly after his appointment in 2019, in an effort to measure employee satisfaction and start rebuilding the Department, which was demoralized by a 30% budget cut under the previous administration. These cuts led to significant staffing reductions and the loss of institutional expertise. Today, the Department continues to rebuild and its staff are again nationally recognized leaders in climate change, water quality, solid waste management, occupational safety and radiation control, oversight and oversight of federal facilities, and other issues. The Department continues to strengthen its enforcement and compliance efforts to hold polluters accountable.
The employee engagement survey, as in the past two years revealed areas for improvement such as more meaningful employee recognition, a better compensation structure to link performance and compensation, more promotion opportunities, and focusing efforts to prepare employees to deal with potential security threats. These feedbacks provide NMED management with specific areas to improve on, while also sustaining positive momentum in others.
Previous surveys led the department to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, make telework an option for employees, advocate for and secure an increased budget across Department, streamline administrative processes, and increase pay for employees through a departmental workforce audit. You can find past employee engagement survey reports as well as other departmental performance reports. Here.
The department currently has 532.3 employees and is actively looking for applicants for a wide range open positions. NMED has job openings for candidates. Click on Department of Environment to view them. Here and here. NMEDs social media feeds Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram feature information on the Department, its employees vacant positions.
