Program Coordinator

NMSU Conference Services; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Excellence in Math and Science Education at New Mexico State University seeks a Program Coordinator to lead STEM events statewide. You will coordinate planning, budgets, and logistics for flagship programs, working with university colleagues, K-12 partners, and state agencies to deliver high-impact experiences.

Qualified candidates have a combination of education and hands-on event management, strong communication, and the ability to travel statewide and work occasional

Qualifications

• High School diploma plus 1 year of relevant experience or higher degree.
• Associate’s degree with 3 years of related experience also qualifies.
• Five years of professional experience in event planning or youth-focused programming preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, coordination, and execution of STEM events across New Mexico.
• Serve as operational lead for flagship regional and statewide programs.
• Collaborate with university departments, K-12 districts, state agencies, and NMOST partners.

Skills

Coordinating multiple working groups

STEM event planning

Budget management

Education

High School diploma + 1 year relevant experience

Associate’s degree + 3 years related experience

Five years of professional event planning experience

Tools

Canvas

Zoom

Event registration software

Job description

503972

Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States

Staff

Staff Full-time

Closing at: Aug 31 2026 - 23:55 MDT

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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. Interested applicants can view the application at https://careers.nmsu.edu/jobs/search.

Position Details

Position Title: 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.

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