Program Specialist Senior

NMSU Conference Services; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

NMSU Office of Engineering Research is seeking a Program Specialist Senior in Las Cruces. The role coordinates pre-award activities, helps build proposal budgets, and serves as a liaison between faculty and university offices to submit sponsored project proposals.

Required education is Associate's Degree with 4+ years or Bachelor's with 2+ years of relevant experience. Preference for grant coordination and proposal development experience. Standard M-F schedule, exempt status, externals funded.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree plus 2 years of relevant experience in grant coordination/proposal development.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate proposal preparation activities.
• Assist with budget development.
• Monitor compliance with sponsor and university requirements.
• Maintain proposal and research activity records.
• Support research-related initiatives and operational needs.
• Coordinate multiple concurrent projects to meet deadlines.
• Support the college's effort to expand externally funded research.

Skills

Grant coordination

Proposal development

Project management

Education

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• 503908
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Aug 20 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact: Jay Misra, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: Join the Office of Engineering Research as a Program Specialist Senior to drive groundbreaking research forward. In this vital role, you will assist with pre-award activities, build proposal budgets, and serve as the central connector between faculty investigators and university administrative offices. If you excel at managing concurrent project deadlines and want to help expand our externally funded research footprint, we want you on our team.

Position Details

Position Title: Program Specialist Senior

College/Division: Engineering College

Department: 360600-OFFICE OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Location: Las Cruces

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $48,332.54 - To 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: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The Program Specialist Senior coordinates and supports research development and pre-award activities within the College of Engineering. The position serves as a liaison between faculty investigators, departmental staff, the Office of Engineering Research, and university administrative offices to facilitate the development and submission of sponsored project proposals. Responsibilities include coordinating proposal preparation activities, assisting with budget development, monitoring compliance with sponsor and university requirements, maintaining proposal and research activity records, supporting research-related initiatives, and providing operational support for research programs and services. The position coordinates multiple concurrent projects, ensures timely completion of deadlines, and supports the college's efforts to expand externally funded research and scholarly activity.

Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree + 2 years of relevant experience (i.e. grant coordination and proposal development experience)

Project Management experience

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

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