Mechanical Technician III

NMSU Conference Services; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Jornada Experimental Range at New Mexico State University is seeking a Mechanical Technician III in Las Cruces to support range staff and faculty by maintaining vehicles, equipment, and facilities. The role requires a high school diploma with appropriate experience or an associate degree with experience; attention to safety, ability to read plans, and capacity to work outdoors are essential.

This is a full-time, 1.0 FTE, non-exempt position with AFSCME bargaining unit.

Qualifications

• High School diploma plus 4 years of relevant experience or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with range/ranch maintenance tasks preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction/field plans and to use basic hand/power tools.

Responsibilities

• Performs general maintenance and repair of facilities supporting livestock research, including corrals, fences, wells, pipelines, troughs, solar pumping systems.
• Maintains and repairs pens, corrals, and barbed wire fencing; designs/fabricates tools to fit field needs.
• Keeps vehicles and equipment in service by inspecting and performing preventive maintenance; operates light to heavy equipment.
• Maintains fleet fuel distribution, tracks usage and inventory, and supports safety procedures on site.

Skills

Motivate and train subordinates

Effective written and oral沟通

Plan and organize work

Read and interpret plans

Emergency readiness

Willingness to learn

Outdoor work in weather

Education

High School diploma + 4 years relevant experience

Associate's Degree + 2 years relevant experience

Job description

Position Details

• 503869
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Aug 25 2026 - 23:55 MDT

View favorites

Department Contact: Samantha Lish, 575-646-1726, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Jornada Experimental Range is seeking applicants for a Mechanical Tech III to support Range Staff as well as faculty/staff managing field sites by maintaining vehicles, equipment (including research equipment), and range facilities and tools.

Position Details

Position Title: Mechanical Technician III

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317250-JORNADA EXPER RANGE HEADQUARTERS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $25.56

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is 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: 7:00am-3:30pm

Job Duties and Responsibilities: THIS POSITION IS ONE YEAR APPOINMENT WHICH MAY BE EXTENDED; CONTIGENT UPON EXTERNAL FUNDING

Performs general maintenance and repair of facilities that support livestock research including corrals, fences, wells, pipelines, troughs, solar pumping systems, etc.

Performs rangeland management practices, ranch livestock facility repair and maintenance. Maintain and repair pens, corrals, and barbed wire fencing. Knowledgeable in the equipment and tools required to perform these duties. Design and fabricate tools and equipment together to have an item that fits in the projects/field study needs.

Keeps vehicles and equipment available for use by inspecting and completing preventive maintenance and preforming repairs as needed. Vehicles and equipment include small, air-cooled engines, trucks, ATVs/UTVs, and heavy equipment with diesel engines and hydraulics.

Inventory maintenance of parts and supplies so faculty and staff are aware of what is being used and what is available.

Performs general facility and building maintenance such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, and electrical work carried out in this position are less than journeyman work and are concerned with the more routine maintenance and repair of the facility buildings and infrastructure.

Maintain several miles of dirt and gravel roads by use of a motor grader and other heavy road equipment and machinery.

Assist with the maintenance and repairs of water wells located in various areas of the Jornada Experimental Range.

Operates various hand tools and power tools. Operates small and heavy equipment to include bobcat, backhoe, trencher, tractor, road grader, etc.

Maintenance of fleet fuel distribution equipment, calculating fuel needs and storage, and completing fuel usage records.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: High School diploma + 4 years of relevant experience or an Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with range/ranch maintenance tasks

Knowledge of vehicles and heavy equipment to include operation, preventive maintenance and repair.

Knowledge of maintenance and repair for buildings, corrals, roads, and fences

Knowledge of routine electrical repair and plumbing

Knowledge of welding, metal working, and fabrication

Knowledge in handling livestock in small areas, feeding and proper methods of moving livestock.

Ability to motivate, train, and work effectively with subordinates.

Ability to communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan and organize work activities effectively. Ability to read and interpret construction and field research plans.

Ability to adjust work operations to meet emergencies without compromising quality of work

Willingness and ability to learn and attend training courses.

Ability to work outdoors during hot or cold, windy weather.

Special Certification/Licensure

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves almost constant exposure to unusual elements: i.e. extreme temp, toxic chemicals, biohazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, other potentially dangerous materials/situations that require safety precaution/protective equip

Physical Effort: Considerable physical activity. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job.

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

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

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.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request