Program Specialist Senior

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University’s Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program seeks a Program Specialist Senior in Las Cruces, NM. The role supports long-term vegetation measurements, field and lab work, data entry, and coordination of field campaigns with researchers.

The position requires an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience, plus FAA Part 107 certification and the ability to work outdoors in desert conditions.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or Bachelor’s Degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or ability to obtain one.
• Valid Driver’s License for field operations.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; endure desert field conditions.
• Experience with data entry, data management, and documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with ArcGIS and R.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating field operations.

Responsibilities

• Collect data related to plant ecology, aeolian studies, hydrology, animal ecology, soils, UAV operations, and wireless data acquisition/climatology.
• Support Lead Technician and Site Manager in long-term LTER studies; plan and implement projects with researchers.
• Sample processing, equipment cleaning, data checking, and documentation.
• Train staff on plant identification; maintain herbarium vouchers.
• Enter, check, and correct field and sensor data; maintain metadata for datasets.
• Compile and summarize program activity data for reports to researchers and funding sources.
• Coordinate field schedules, vehicles, supplies, and equipment for campaigns.
• Assist in training and directing staff; enforce safety procedures and data protocols.
• Maintain wireless data network and data acquisition equipment; troubleshoot remote stations.
• Perform routine maintenance and inventory of field equipment and vehicles; report repairs.
• Support UAV operations.
• Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Skills

Field data collection

Data entry

Equipment maintenance

Supervisory skills

ArcGIS

R for analysis

Microsoft Office

UAV operations

Team coordination

Communication

Education

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

ArcGIS

Dataloggers

Job description

• 504153
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Oct 30 2026 - 23:55 MDT
  

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

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: THIS IS A ONE YEAR APPOINTMENT. MAY BE EXTENDED CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING.

The Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program requires a Program Specialist, Sr to help continue the productivity of its research projects. Working under the direction of the Lead Technician and the Site Manager, the successful candidate carries out the program's long-term measurements and the associated field and laboratory work, enters and checks the resulting data, coordinates field schedules and equipment, and helps keep the program's field instrumentation and wireless data network in service.

Position Details

Position Title: Program Specialist Senior

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317250-JORNADA EXPER RANGE HEADQUARTERS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT 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: May work early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Field and Laboratory

• Collects data related to plant ecology, aeolian studies, hydrology, animal ecology, soils, UAV operations, and wireless data acquisition/climatology.
• Supports the Lead Technician and Site Manager in carrying out LTER long-term studies associated with vegetation measurements. Plans and implements associated projects in collaboration with researchers.
• Sample processing, cleaning equipment, checking/entering data and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Trains staff on plant identification. Maintains herbarium voucher collection.

Data Entry, Management, and Documentation

• Enters, checks, and corrects field and sensor data; maintains the documentation and metadata that keep long-term datasets complete and traceable.
• Compiles and summarizes program activity data in support of reports to researchers and funding sources.

Scheduling, Organization, and Coordination

• Coordinates field schedules, vehicles, supplies, and equipment for seasonal measurement campaigns.
• Assists in allocating, training, and directing the work of assigned staff and students, including promotion and enforcement of internal procedures, safe work practices, and data-collection protocols.
• Coordinates program needs with other agencies and groups working at the site and serves as a day-to-day point of contact on field operations.

Equipment, Vehicles, and Wireless Network

• Maintains the program's wireless data network and associated field data-acquisition equipment; troubleshoots connectivity, sensor, and datalogger problems at remote field sites and arranges repairs.
• Performs routine maintenance, repair, and inventory of field equipment, sampling gear, and program vehicles; keeps vehicles serviced and field-ready and reports mechanical problems for repair.
• Supports UAV operations and other instrumented data collection as assigned.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant field experience in plant identification, measurement methodologies, and use of dichotomous keys.
• Knowledge of Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna.
• Experience working in a lab environment, and field experience related to this LTER program or a comparable long-term ecological research program.
• Demonstrated skills in training and directing the work of assigned staff.
• Experience entering, checking, and documenting ecological datasets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and experience with ArcGIS and R for data management, mapping, and analysis.
• Working familiarity with field data-acquisition systems — dataloggers, sensors, telemetry, and wireless networking — sufficient to keep remote stations reporting.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or the ability to obtain one, in support of the program's UAV operations.
• Experience operating 4x4 vehicles on unimproved roads and off-road desert terrain.
• Self-motivated, flexible, possess strong supervisory and organizational abilities.
• Enjoy working under desert field conditions with high heat and sun exposure.
• Work reliably both independently and as part of a team.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and principal investigators.
• Be comfortable working safely with moderately hazardous materials.
• Communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Be able to coordinate needs with other agencies/groups

Special Certification/Licensure

• This is a field position and the work can be physically strenuous. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of equipment and supplies over uneven desert terrain.
• Ability to work outdoors during hot or cold, windy weather.
• Valid Driver's License (needed to obtain NMSU Driver's Permit).

Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

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

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

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