Department Contact: Samantha Lish, 575-646-1726, slish@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: **THIS IS A ONE YEAR APPOINTMENT. MAY BE EXTENDED CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING.**
The Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program requires a Program Specialist, Sr to help continue the productivity of its research projects. Working under the direction of the Lead Technician and the Site Manager, the successful candidate carries out the program's long-term measurements and the associated field and laboratory work, enters and checks the resulting data, coordinates field schedules and equipment, and helps keep the program's field instrumentation and wireless data network in service.

Position Details

Position Title: Program Specialist Senior

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317250-JORNADA EXPER RANGE HEADQUARTERS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

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 external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: May work early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Field and Laboratory
• Collects data related to plant ecology, aeolian studies, hydrology, animal ecology, soils, UAV operations, and wireless data acquisition/climatology.
• Supports the Lead Technician and Site Manager in carrying out LTER long-term studies associated with vegetation measurements. Plans and implements associated projects in collaboration with researchers.
• Sample processing, cleaning equipment, checking/entering data and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Trains staff on plant identification. Maintains herbarium voucher collection.

Data Entry, Management, and Documentation
• Enters, checks, and corrects field and sensor data; maintains the documentation and metadata that keep long-term datasets complete and traceable.
• Compiles and summarizes program activity data in support of reports to researchers and funding sources.

Scheduling, Organization, and Coordination
• Coordinates field schedules, vehicles, supplies, and equipment for seasonal measurement campaigns.
• Assists in allocating, training, and directing the work of assigned staff and students, including promotion and enforcement of internal procedures, safe work practices, and data-collection protocols.
• Coordinates program needs with other agencies and groups working at the site and serves as a day-to-day point of contact on field operations.

Equipment, Vehicles, and Wireless Network
• Maintains the program's wireless data network and associated field data-acquisition equipment; troubleshoots connectivity, sensor, and datalogger problems at remote field sites and arranges repairs.
• Performs routine maintenance, repair, and inventory of field equipment, sampling gear, and program vehicles; keeps vehicles serviced and field-ready and reports mechanical problems for repair.
• Supports UAV operations and other instrumented data collection as assigned.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 
• Significant field experience in plant identification, measurement methodologies, and use of dichotomous keys.
• Knowledge of Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna.
• Experience working in a lab environment, and field experience related to this LTER program or a comparable long-term ecological research program.
• Demonstrated skills in training and directing the work of assigned staff.
• Experience entering, checking, and documenting ecological datasets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and experience with ArcGIS and R for data management, mapping, and analysis.
• Working familiarity with field data-acquisition systems — dataloggers, sensors, telemetry, and wireless networking — sufficient to keep remote stations reporting.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or the ability to obtain one, in support of the program's UAV operations.
• Experience operating 4x4 vehicles on unimproved roads and off-road desert terrain.
• Self-motivated, flexible, possess strong supervisory and organizational abilities.
• Enjoy working under desert field conditions with high heat and sun exposure.
• Work reliably both independently and as part of a team.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and principal investigators.
• Be comfortable working safely with moderately hazardous materials.
• Communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Be able to coordinate needs with other agencies/groups

Special Certification/Licensure: 
• This is a field position and the work can be physically strenuous. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of equipment and supplies over uneven desert terrain.
• Ability to work outdoors during hot or cold, windy weather.
• Valid Driver's License (needed to obtain NMSU Driver's Permit).

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.