Program Specialist
- 503221
- Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
- Staff
- Staff Full-time
- Closing at: Feb 27 2026 - 23:55 MST
Department Contact: MaryBeth Ewing, 575-646-4337 & mbewing@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: Join the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI). NM WRRI is seeking a dynamic professional to help advance water research, education, and outreach across New Mexico and the region. This role plays a central part in managing the interdisciplinary Water Science and Management (WSM) Graduate Degree Program while supporting NM WRRI’s externally funded projects that connect research to real-world water challenges.
Position Details
Position Title: Program Specialist
College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED
Department: 470500-WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 43,908.80
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule: Work a standard schedule of hours between Monday and Friday, 8-5 (may change slightly depending on business needs).
Job Duties and Responsibilities: Plans, coordinates, and manages the day-to-day activities of a multi-disciplinary graduate degree program (Water Science and Management (WSM) Graduate Degree Program) housed at the NM Water Resources Research Institute. Develops and manages NM WRRI externally funded projects, including the daily operations of a degree program; collaborates with other NMSU departments and programs as needed to accomplish tasks and deadlines; performs outreach to communities, researchers, and stakeholders to ensure project/s assigned by NM WRRI are maintained and on track to meet project objectives and deliverables; provides guidance, resolutions, and alternative methods to address any arising issues or complications resulting from assigned project/s. Communicates NM WRRI program/project details and objectives to local and state stakeholders to enhance collaboration, enrollment, and interest; demonstrates the university's values and expectations in all project activities and outreach efforts; conducts research to discover externally funded opportunities to support NM WRRI’s mission, and provide funding support to assist degree program students in their academic pursuits; provides technical guidance to enhance the goals and objectives established by the programs and projects of NM WRRI.
Create various digital and physical materials to effectively communicate the importance and impact of all assigned NM WRRI projects, including the degree program. To increase engagement with NM WRRI initiatives, materials produced will include the development of pamphlets, timelines, booklets, presentations, certificates, etc. Leads the outreach, compilation, and review for reporting metrics and statistics as assigned by NM WRRI to monitor program/project status; coordinates meetings and events for NM WRRI staff, students, and external organizations as needed to sustain program deliverables and needs, including the Sustainable Management of Water Resources Interdisciplinary Umbrella Group and other multidisciplinary water connections campus-wide; suggests updated methods and strategies to NM WRRI for improving reporting techniques and data collection, aiming to increase program efficiency and flow. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.
Equivalent Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and One (1) year of professional experience related to the Job Duties and Responsibilities.
Special Certification/Licensure:
Must be able to obtain an NMSU driving permit within 30 days of employment. Must be able to travel as needed. This position is not eligible for remote work.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Recruitment Summary
We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.
NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.
NMSU Global Campus
Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.
NMSU Main Campus
Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.
Doña Ana Community College
Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.
Alamogordo Campus
Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.
Grants Campus
NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.
Special Instructions to Applicants
The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.
EEO Statement
New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.
