9-5B-6: Commission; powers and duties.

A. The commission may:

(1) accept gifts, devises, grants and donations from others to carry out the provisions of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act;

(2) request assistance and staff support from the department;

(3) employ such personnel as necessary to carry out the provisions of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act;

(4) delegate responsibility for the administration and implementation of conservation projects, corps members' employment and supervision, project coordination and other program matters;

(5) establish work camps and long-term residential facilities to house corps members and their supervisors; and

(6) contact potential sponsors and funding sources for support.

B. The commission shall:

(1) adopt rules that are necessary for the proper administration of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act;

(2) administer and enforce the provisions of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act and rules adopted pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this subsection;

(3) develop and approve corps work projects, activities and contracts with project sponsors;

(4) establish standards, procedures and policies for selecting, hiring, providing compensation for and other personnel matters involving corps members and other personnel;

(5) foster partnerships and cooperation between the corps and New Mexico's secondary and post-secondary schools to assist corps members in obtaining education and job training; and

(6) hire a program manager, who shall be the administrative officer of the corps.