Conservation Specialist (50351)

New Mexico Highlands University; Las Vegas (NM); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Highlands University invites applications for a Conservation Science Center role in Las Vegas, NM. This position supports the CSC program manager in post-wildfire recovery education, workforce development, and community outreach.

Candidates with a master’s degree or related experience will foster youth and adult engagement, develop curricula, and build partnerships with landowners and educators. A hybrid work option is available with some travel and grant-funded work.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in ecological restoration, forestry, ecology, environmental science, natural resources management, wildlife biology, or related field; OR B.S. with 2 years related experience.
• 1 year experience engaging diverse audiences (youth programming, community advocacy, environmental education).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Two years’ experience in environmental education or community engagement in the Southwest; working with diverse stakeholders; Spanish a plus; NM landowners experience; restoration principles.

Responsibilities

• Support FIRENM programming and landowner engagement.
• Plan and implement K-12 initiatives and outdoor education programs.
• Develop culturally responsive curricula for youth and adults.
• Build partnerships with formal and informal educators and community partners.
• Coordinate field sites and safety with NMFWRI and NMHU partners.

Skills

Communication skills

Audience engagement

Curriculum development

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree or B.S. with related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Las Vegas, NM 87701

Position Type: Term - Full time

Education Level: Masters Degree

Salary Range: $58,656.00 - $65,000.00 Salary

Job Category: Staff

Description

The Conservation Science Center (CSC) is a program within the NMForest & Watershed Restoration Institute and is activelyseeking candidates with a strong land stewardship ethic who valuecommunity advocacy and engagement. This position works with the CSCProgram Manager and supports long-term community recovery effortsfollowing the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon wildfire by supportingeducational trainings in restoration practices, workforcedevelopment, and engaging with youth and adult audiences. Wewelcome candidates with an enthusiasm for participatory,human-centered programming and culturally responsivecommunications. This position will require strong interpersonalskills with collaborators of diverse ages, socioeconomics, andcultural backgrounds; and an ability to cultivate new andstrengthen existing community partnerships. Candidates should becomfortable working with northern NM rural communities.Additionally, this position includes adapting scientific conceptsinto immersive hands-on activities for local youth and landownersto increase accessibility to research and restorationpractices.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support the implementation of Fire-Informed RestorationEducation for New Mexico (FIRENM) programming;
• Engage landowners to build and expand landowner networks forLandscape Stewardship Planning efforts, FIRENM field sites, YCC andyouth engagement programming, and other community-basedinitiatives;
• Manage, plan, and implement K-12 initiatives, including theannual STEM Showdown with NM MESA, Mora Outdoor School, Northern NMRegional Envirothon, and similar outdoor education programming,etc.;
• Pilot and adapt culturally responsive curricula for northern NMyouth and adult populations;
• Pilot and refine citizen science monitoring forlandowners;
• Co-develop conservation leadership professional development forNMHU STEM majors and local communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Embrace principles of fairness, cultural appreciation, andrespectful engagement in programing, workplace interactions, andcommunications;
• Facilitate FIRENM event planning, workshop logistics and fieldsite preparation, including cross-program communications andplanning within NMFWRI, and with partner organizations;
• Spearhead K-12 initiatives, including project planning andlogistics with community partners
• Support citizen science monitoring related to FIRENMpractices;
• Cross-collaborate with STEM grant teams at NMHU to leverageresources; pilot conservation leadership initiatives;
• Develop and maintain partnerships with formal and informaleducators, higher education partner institutions,state/federal/nonprofit community partners, private landowners,etc.;
• Represent CSC professionally and participate in communitymeetings, webinars, relevant Communities of Practice, communityboards, and working committees;
• Assist with reviewing, editing and revising curriculamaterials, technical guides and other educational materialsdeveloped by the CSC and FIRENM teams;
• Work with NMFWRI staff and NMHU faculty to support fieldclasses, webinars and in-person trainings
• Maintain Wilderness First Aid certification, participate infield crew safety trainings, and other internal professionaldevelopment opportunities to maintain a holistic skillset andprovide cross-program support as time allows;
• Support grant/program review and administration, maintainproject budgets, record keeping, and other administrativetasks;
• Maintain regular attendance and clear communication withsupervisors and colleagues in office, field, and online workingenvironments;
• Additional duties as assigned by the CSC Program Manager.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements:

Education : Master’s degree in ecological restoration,forestry, ecology, environmental science, natural resourcesmanagement, wildlife biology, or a closely related field, OR B.S.in one of these fields with 2 years substantial and in-depth,directly related training and work experience.

Experience : One (1) year experience in engaging diverseaudiences, e.g. youth programming, community advocacy and/orenvironmental education

Experience : Strong written and verbal communicationskills

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience : Two (2) years’ experience in environmentaleducation or community engagement in the southwest; experienceworking with diverse stakeholders. Spanish speaker a plus!
Experience working with New Mexican landowners, and anunderstanding of restoration principles for improved habitat and/orecosystem function.

Special Conditions for Eligibility:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’slicense
• Must be willing to occasionally work weekends, evenings, andodd hours, as required
• Must be willing to travel, at times to remote locations
• Continued employment is contingent on grant funding

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with ecological restoration and ecological scienceconcepts
• Formal or informal outdoor education experience and somecurriculum development
• Technical expertise in field safety and situationalawareness
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Adaptability and creativity
• Good self-care and ability to handle stress
• Effective time management and ability to achieve goals andindependently undertake tasks with some direct supervision.
• Ability to work in rural communities and in rurallocations.
• Ability to work as a member of team with diverse skills andbackgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writtenform.
• Proficient in Microsoft office

Physical Demands:

• Standing – Frequently
• Sitting – Frequently
• Walking (cross country) – Frequently
• Bending – Occasionally
• Squatting – Occasionally
• Kneeling – Occasionally
• Lifting (30 lbs. or less) – Occasionally

Working Environment:

Work is performed in in an office on the campus of a regionalpublic university, and in field sites. The possibility for hybridwork combining office and telework exists, if appropriate.Anticipate 50% outdoors, 50% indoors.