Program Specialist

Department Contact: MaryBeth Ewing, 575-646-4337 & mbewing@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

 

Advertising Summary: Join the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI). NM WRRI is seeking a dynamic professional to help advance water research, education, and outreach across New Mexico and the region. This role plays a central part in managing the interdisciplinary Water Science and Management (WSM) Graduate Degree Program while supporting NM WRRI’s externally funded projects that connect research to real-world water challenges.

 

Position Details

Position Title: Program Specialist

College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED

Department: 470500-WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 43,908.80

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 funding

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

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: Work a standard schedule of hours between Monday and Friday, 8-5 (may change slightly depending on business needs).

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Plans, coordinates, and manages the day-to-day activities of a multi-disciplinary graduate degree program (Water Science and Management (WSM) Graduate Degree Program) housed at the NM Water Resources Research Institute. Develops and manages NM WRRI externally funded projects, including the daily operations of a degree program; collaborates with other NMSU departments and programs as needed to accomplish tasks and deadlines; performs outreach to communities, researchers, and stakeholders to ensure project/s assigned by NM WRRI are maintained and on track to meet project objectives and deliverables; provides guidance, resolutions, and alternative methods to address any arising issues or complications resulting from assigned project/s. Communicates NM WRRI program/project details and objectives to local and state stakeholders to enhance collaboration, enrollment, and interest; demonstrates the university's values and expectations in all project activities and outreach efforts; conducts research to discover externally funded opportunities to support NM WRRI’s mission, and provide funding support to assist degree program students in their academic pursuits; provides technical guidance to enhance the goals and objectives established by the programs and projects of NM WRRI.

Create various digital and physical materials to effectively communicate the importance and impact of all assigned NM WRRI projects, including the degree program. To increase engagement with NM WRRI initiatives, materials produced will include the development of pamphlets, timelines, booklets, presentations, certificates, etc. Leads the outreach, compilation, and review for reporting metrics and statistics as assigned by NM WRRI to monitor program/project status; coordinates meetings and events for NM WRRI staff, students, and external organizations as needed to sustain program deliverables and needs, including the Sustainable Management of Water Resources Interdisciplinary Umbrella Group and other multidisciplinary water connections campus-wide; suggests updated methods and strategies to NM WRRI for improving reporting techniques and data collection, aiming to increase program efficiency and flow. Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

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

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 
Bachelor's degree in a related field and One (1) year of professional experience related to the Job Duties and Responsibilities.

Special Certification/Licensure: 
Must be able to obtain an NMSU driving permit within 30 days of employment. Must be able to travel as needed. This position is not eligible for remote work.

 

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.

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