March 26, 2025

Sandoval County Treasurer Jennifer A. Taylor encourages County junior and senior high school students to submit their application and essays no later than Friday, May 16, 2025 by 5:00 PM for the Junior County Treasurer program. Up to four Sandoval County high school students (junior and seniors ONLY) will be selected. Selections will be announced on Friday, May 23, 2025. These students will have an opportunity to experience firsthand how local government, specifically the Treasurer’s Office, works. This free-of-charge program will be held concurrent with the Fall 2025 school semester. Each School District will offer this program as an elective earning credit.

During the Junior County Treasurers program, participants will follow a curriculum covering:

  • Property tax collection processes.
  • Allocation of collected funds to various services, including DWI programs, fire and 911 services, libraries, public safety initiatives, senior programs, road and infrastructure projects, landfill operations, detention center management.
  • Development of essential customer service skills for interacting with the public in the Treasurer’s Office.
  • Fundamental principles of government investments and the relevant state law criteria.
  • The critical role of transparency in all county financial reporting.

Curriculum requirements are:

  1. Attendance at a County Commission Meeting.
  2. Attendance at a Board of Finance Meeting.
  3. Attendance at a Sandoval County Investment Committee Meeting.
  4. Weekly on the job shadowing in the Treasurer’s Office equaling 90 hours (elective earning HS credit),
  5. Participation in a mock Board of Finance Meeting.

Upon completing these activities, each Junior County Treasurer will receive a Plaque of Recognition and a medallion at a County Commission Meeting. Ms. Taylor emphasizes that participation in this program not only earns students an elective credit but also significantly enhances their resume or higher education applications.

Please note that the county does not provide transportation.

How to Apply for the Program

Interested students must submit their application and a short essay (200 words or less) that explains why they would like to participate in the program. A panel of three will review all the submitted applications and essays and select four Junior County Treasurers.

Essays are due Friday, May 16 2025, by 5:00 p.m., and the four selected candidates will be announced on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Please email essays and application in PDF format to Treasurer Taylor at jtaylor@sandovalcountynm.gov. If you have any questions, please contact Orlando A. Jacquez, Administrative Assistant to the Treasurer's Office, at 505-867-7579 or ojacquez@sandovalcountynm.gov.

TESTIMONIALS
I didn't realize how quickly I would develop, not only useful knowledge on the Treasurer's office and the roles of each office in the county, but also valuable friendships and skills that I can see myself using now and in the future...It's been a wonderful experience, and I encourage anyone who's not afraid to try something new to take the opportunity, even if you have no interest in government; the skills can be used in more aspects than just politics.
Giavanna Almanzar, Fall 2024 Junior County Treasurer
The lessons I've learned not only from Treasurer Taylor, but from the entire Treasurer's Office have been invaluable. From Treasurer Taylor’s commitment to meeting with me biweekly to broaden my understanding—not just of the responsibilities of a treasurer, but also of real-world finances—to the opportunities to work alongside someone who actively fosters learning, this experience has been truly enriching. To say this program has been beneficial is an understatement; it has provided a tremendous opportunity for growth for me, and hopefully for everyone involved as well.
Mario Templeton, Fall 2024 Junior County Treasurer