Stephen: New Mexico government looking for professional bear huggers

Looking to get cuddly with nature? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is looking to hire “professional bear huggers”.

The job description asks applicants to “have the courage to crawl into a bear den, and have the trust in your coworkers to keep you safe during the process.” The official job title is Conservation Officer. The work may not be glamorous, but “you can have the experience of a lifetime.”

The job posting on the department’s Facebook page depicts employees cuddling with adorable bear cubs and includes the disclaimer “we do not recommend crawling into bear dens. This was part of a research project in Northern New Mexico and all bears were handled safely under supervision. If you do, our officers will have to have a chat with you.”

Applications are open through March 30th.