Program Coordinator

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 45,461,000 - 50,971,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University seeks a Program Coordinator to lead STEM events from strategy through execution. You’ll coordinate with university departments, K-12 partners, and state agencies to deliver high-impact programs and manage budgets, registrations, and vendors.

The role supports flagship events like statewide competitions and conferences, requiring strong communication, planning, and travel statewide as needed. Standard M-F schedule.

Qualifications

• High School diploma plus 1 year of relevant experience, or higher degree.
• Associate’s degree plus 3 years of related experience, or five years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategic planning, coordination, and execution of STEM events across New Mexico.
• Collaborate with university departments, K-12 districts, and state agencies to deliver flagship programs.
• Manage budgets, registrations, venues, volunteers, and vendor contracts.

Skills

Event planning

Coordination

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

High School diploma

Associate’s degree

Five years experience

Tools

Event management tools

Canvas

Zoom

Registration software

Job description

Department Contact: Wanda Bulger Tamez, [phone], [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Institute for Excellence in Math/Science Education at NMSU is seeking a motivated, organized, and dynamic individual skilled at coordinating multiple working groups to serve as STEM Events Coordinator.

Position Details

PositionTitle: Program Coordinator

College/Division: College of Hlth, Educ & Soc Trans

Department: 350410-INST FOR EXCEL IN MATH & SCIENCE ED

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $16.83

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: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: Occasional Weekend and Evenings

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The STEM Events Coordinator for the Institute for Excellence in Math and Science Education oversees the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of high-impact STEM education events across New Mexico. Acting under NMSU institutional guidelines, this role serves as the primary operational lead for flagship regional and statewide programs. The coordinator collaborates extensively with internal university departments, K-12 school districts, state agencies, and external nonprofit advocates like the New Mexico Out-of-School Time (NMOST) network.

Flagship Event Coordination Includes the following

• NM Governor's STEM Challenge: Manage logistics, school registration, state agency judge coordination, budget, scholarship awards, venue setup, and technology requirements for the annual statewide competition.
• Southwest Regional Science Olympiad: Oversee team registrations, volunteer recruitment, test proctor scheduling, laboratory room bookings, and award ceremony operations on the NMSU campus.
• NMSU Learn-A-Palooza: Lead community-facing public event logistics, coordinate interactive exhibitor booths and student performances, manage crowd flow, and handle marketing assets for campus and community outreach.
• NMOST Statewide Conference Collaboration: Partner with NMOST leadership to co-design, schedule, and execute a multi-day statewide conference, managing shared vendor contracts and registration workflows.

Operational Logistics & Administrative Duties

• Coordinate facility reservations, technical audio/visual configurations, and catering orders through NMSU auxiliary systems.
• Manage event-specific budgets, process vendor purchase orders, and reconcile travel or procurement card expenses according to NMSU business office policies.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student workers, volunteers, and temporary event staff during peak program windows.
• Ensure all events strictly comply with university risk management, campus safety guidelines, and minors-on-campus protection protocols.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: High School diploma + 1 years of relevant experience, or higher degree.

Equivalent Qualifications: Associate’s degree in a relevant field and three years of professional experience directly related to event planning, program coordination, or youth-focused educational programming Or Five years of professional experience related to event planning, program coordination, or youth-focused educational programming.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience working within a higher education system or coordinating large-scale K-12 student competitions.
• Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects involving state government bodies or community networks.
• Strong digital proficiency with event management tools, spreadsheets, and collaborative platforms (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, specialized registration software).
• Exceptional communication skills to engage with diverse audiences ranging from corporate sponsors and government officials to students and teachers.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel statewide as required by event schedules.

Special Certification/Licensure

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.

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 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.