Program Specialist Senior

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University seeks a Program Specialist Senior to support the Floriculture Program in Las Cruces. The role involves coordinating education, lesson plans, plant materials, and outreach activities, while assisting faculty and students in program operations.

You will advise the intercollegiate floral team, oversee exhibitions, and travel logistics, and help recruit students into floriculture and horticulture tracks. This is a full‑time exempt position in a university setting.

Qualifications

• Instruct students in floral design and quality evaluation in hands-on settings.
• Coordinate floriculture education, lesson plans, and plant resources.
• Advise and coordinate the floriculture judging team and related travel.
• Engage with local floral industry and recruitment events.
• Support recruitment and outreach for floriculture programs.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver lesson plans for floral design and related courses, flower judging exercises, and order instructional supplies.
• Serve as advisor to the NMSU Intercollegiate Floral Quality Evaluation and Design Team, oversee exhibitions and fundraising, and coordinate travel.
• Network with area floral industry, participate in student recruitment events, and assist with student outcome assessments.
• Assist the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department with recruiting students to the floriculture/horticulture program.
• Attend department meetings and provide service to the department as assigned by the Department Head.

Skills

Floral design

Floral quality evaluation

Lesson planning

Student recruitment

Education

Associate's degree + 4 years of relevant experience

Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience

Tools

Greenhouse operations

Plant materials management

Job description

• 503989


• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States


• Staff


• Staff Full-time


• Closing at: Oct 4 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact:

Anowar Islam, [e-mail], 575-646-3406

Internal or External Search:

External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary:

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University is seeking a Program Specialist, Senior to support the Floriculture Program. This position will provide coordination and technical support for floriculture education, lesson plans research and outreach activities. The successful candidate will assist with greenhouse and plant production operations, maintain and manage plant materials and facilities, coordinate program activities, and support faculty, students, and other stakeholders.

Position Details

Position Title: Program Specialist Senior

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 301400-PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Location: Las Cruces

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: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Instruct students in the basic techniques of floral quality evaluation and floral design in a highly experiential learning environments and coordinate the floriculture judging program.

• Plan and deliver lesson plans for floral design and related courses, flower judging exercises, and order instructional supplies.


• Serve as an advisor to the NMSU Intercollegiate Floral Quality Evaluation and Design Team, oversee the team's exhibitions and fund raising projects and take a lead role in training/coaching and coordinating travel for the team.


• Network with the area floral industry, participate in student recruitment events, and assist with student outcome assessments.


• Assist the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department with recruiting students to the floriculture/horticulture program.


• Be an active participant in the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, work closely with horticulture faculty members, attend department meetings, and provide service to the department as assigned by the Department Head.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

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

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 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