Position Title: Student Program Coordinator

Employee Classification: Student Program Coord

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:  $16.05

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Non-Exempt

Summary:  The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute is looking for a Student Program Coordinator to plan and coordinate the NMSU Water Initiative, prepare student paperwork, answer graduate student-related inquiries, and serve as the primary liaison in all matters related to the Water Science and Management Graduate Degree Program and water initiative groups.

Classification Summary:
Provides academic, financial aid/scholarship, financial literacy, and advisement services to targeted student populations. Plans, develops, and implements community outreach activities and/or campus recruitment and/or retention programs.

Classification Standard Duties:
Answers student inquiries and resolves problems related to curriculum and course prerequisites, referring to catalogues, written course descriptions, and other appropriate sources. Coordinates with other organizational units to process admission and graduation requests and to aid in resolution of academic problems. Prepares form letters, individual letters, and information packets in support of group and/or individual recruitment efforts; attends and participates in individual and group orientation and other information dissemination sessions. Plans, develops, and implements community outreach activities for underrepresented student populations. May conduct recruitment activities for targeted student populations. Coordinates retention activities including student mentor programs, tutor services, personal counseling, and study skills workshops; plans, develops, and coordinates special events. May assist and/or prepare grant proposals to fund student programs and services. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:No previous work experience required. Equivalency: An Associate's degree and two (2) years of related experience; or, four (4) years of related experience may substitute for the Bachelor's degree.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of student recruitment and retention issues. Knowledge of a range of recruitment strategies and techniques. Knowledge of targeted recruitment principles, procedures, and resources. Knowledge of student outreach services and activities.

Records maintenance skills.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to develop and implement recruitment plans. Ability to analyze and solve problems. Ability to plan community outreach projects. Ability to analyze course prerequisites, certification, and/or curriculum/graduation requirements. Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events. Ability to design and develop recruitment plans. Knowledge of community outreach practices.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
•Developing and coordinating the day-to-day activities of the Water Science and Management (WSM) Graduate Degree Program, a multi-disciplinary graduate degree program housed at the NM Water Resources Research Institute.

• Answering student inquiries and resolving problems related to curriculum and course prerequisites, referring to catalogs, written course descriptions, and other appropriate sources

• Helping students understand and meet program deadlines, conduct and communicate degree checks and program of study requirements along with recommending advisor input,

• Coordinate scholarship and tuition memo processes for WSM students

• Assisting the WSM Program Chair and Executive Committee in directing the program by providing updates on student needs and being a direct point of contact

• Helping to maximize the success of the WSM Graduate Student Organization at NMSU by serving as an advocate for the organization and scheduling meetings/activities/guest speakers as needed

• Provide continuity for the WSM Graduate Student Organization at NMSU to maintain status as a student organization with a full slate of officers, participating WSM students, and regular meetings and activities

• Hosting events (Meet & Greet) to encourage and support WSM graduate student engagement with their peers, faculty, and NMSU community

• Attending events such as the Financial Wellness fair, Ag Day, and graduation receptions to support WSM students and the program

• Initiating and maintaining individual student files as appropriate, updating and evaluating files as new information is received

• Organizing and providing program information for reporting purposes

• Preparing tuition scholarship and graduate assistantship forms, and coordinating nomination meetings

• Providing and coordinating financial aid scholarship disbursement, academic advisement, career advisement and related support to students in the WSM graduate degree program

• Representing the WSM graduate degree program on a local, regional, and national basis by acting as a student advocate

• Serving as the primary liaison with internal and external contacts on all matters relating to the WSM graduate degree program

•Improve the process of meetings of the Sustainable Management of Water Resources Umbrella group; help with communicating and understanding the project proposal for the Sustainable Management of Water Resources Umbrella group; participate in and help coordinate other NMSU cross-departmental and cross-college water-related initiatives

• Supporting and coordinating water initiative groups to fund water resources programs by scheduling meetings and preparing grant proposals

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position
Must be able to obtain an NMSU driving permit within 30 days of employment.
Must be able to occasionally travel to conference events or Water Science and Management Graduate Degree Program events as needed.
Work a standard schedule of hours between Monday-Friday, 8-5 (occasionally may change slightly depending on business needs).

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

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is 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: 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.