Position Title: Research Scientist,Assc

Employee Classification: Research Scientist,Assc

College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED

Department: 470500-WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Minimum $ 59,965.78 - Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is seeking one Research Scientist Assc. position to serve as a hydrology specialist focusing upon water budget analysis and hydrologic modeling assessing the effects of the restoration practices on the major water budget components, and on surface flows, inundation, and sediment transport.

Classification Summary:
Independently employs a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures in a particular field of specialization to plan, design, and conduct research and present findings. Carries out novel or complex assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures. May act in a liaison capacity with various department, divisions, and organizations.

Classification Standard Duties:
Designs and implements research protocols and projects; applies advanced analytical techniques and the modification and extension of theories and practices in innovative research projects in field of specialty; develops statistical and observational models. Operates and maintains sophisticated equipment to conduct research, analyze data, and report research findings; may instruct others in use of equipment. Applies diversified knowledge of scientific research principles, practices, and protocols in research projects; may make recommendations and conclusions which serve as the basis for decision making in a specialty area. Collaborates with users and principal investigators on design, analysis, application, and reporting of research projects; teaches and advises on techniques. Supplies technical leadership and consultation to professional co-workers, collaborators, and graduate students. Prepares analyses, reports, and other documentation for publication; presents findings at local, national, and/or international meetings. Prepares grant proposals to obtain funding in support of research activities.Serves as principal investigator, as appropriate, on sub-projects of complexities consistent with above criteria. May manage or oversee a research laboratory; may curate a research collection. Maintains currency of knowledge with respect to relevant state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and/or systems.Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:Five(5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge of current technological developments/trends in area of expertise. Comprehensive knowledge of engineering, scientific, and/or mathematical concepts and theories in area of specialty. knowledge of contracts and grants preparation and management. Knowledge of engineering and/or scientific research principles, practices, and protocols. Knowledge of research methodology, principles and procedures.;

SKILLS:Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Skill in educating others in research methods and techniques in area of expertise.;

ABILITIES:Ability to utilize advanced computer statistical and technical applications. Ability to use independent judgment to adapt and modify research concepts and approaches to specific projects. Ability to provide technical guidance and leadership to professional personnel in area of expertise. Ability to develop and deliver presentations. Ability to develop scientific reports and manuscripts based on original research. Ability to utilize and maintain advanced scientific equipment and facilities. Ability to utilize advanced analytical techniques and programs to develop scientific models.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is seeking one Research Scientist Assc. position to serve as a hydrology specialist focusing upon water budget analysis and hydrologic modeling assessing the effects of the restoration practices on the major water budget components, and on surface flows, inundation, and sediment transport. The Research Scientist Assc. will collaborate with the team and agricultural communities to develop and assess alternative regional water management strategies in the face of drought. The applicant selected for hire, with expertise in hydrology, water management, and/or geography, will contribute to advancing the science needed to identify pathways to agricultural and water resilience.

The Research Scientist Assc. will work closely with the team and communities with primary responsibilities to conduct watershed-scale hydrologic modeling, water budget analysis, and co-develop alternative water management strategies and characterize the combination of strategies to achieve community-defined resilience, participate in the needs and capacity assessment for agricultural stakeholders of the region, and collect data on the regional conditions.

These responsibilities include assisting and collaborating with the team and taking leadership of certain components of the following work:

Conducting hydrologic modeling and water budget analysis, assessing the effects of the restoration practices on the major water budget components, and on surface flows, inundation, and sediment transport; leading the development of the overall analysis, including collaborating with community members to develop alternative water management scenarios and designing a plan with the team and collect information for and apply analytical techniques to characterize the existing regional collaborations and potential pathways and support needed to identify and implement alternative scenarios, leading the modeling efforts and hydrologic and water budget analysis to understand the findings so that they may be incorporated into the synthesis of community strategies, and helping to develop visualization tools to assist in understanding the process and analysis.

Mentor graduate students.

Publish results in peer-reviewed academic journals and develop materials for reports and presentations to provide project results to partners and stakeholders.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Must be able to obtain an NMSU driving permit within 30 days of employment.
Must be able to travel occasionally to field sites to install and/or troubleshoot equipment.
Work a standard schedule of hours between Monday-Friday, 8-5 (occasionally may change slightly depending on business needs).

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Carolina Mijares, 646-4337, nmwrri@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

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.