Skip to main content

This job has expired

Deputy Director


Position Details

Position Information

Position
Deputy Director

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Job Type
Regular

Position Summary

The New Mexico Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute ( FWRI ) welcomes applications for an integral member of a growing interdisciplinary team of professionals working towards wildfire resilience, post-fire restoration, and watershed conservation. The Deputy Director assists the FWRI Director in providing leadership for the Institute, and works collaboratively with Program Managers and Coordinators to administer their programs and projects, and accomplish the Institute’s goals in applied research, outreach and community engagement, GIS, and ecological restoration. This position requires experience in organizational management and administration, institutional development, and capacity building, and knowledge of forest management and restoration, science communication, and public and working lands engagement. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to direct engagement with federal, state, tribal and community partners and organizations and university administrators, cultivating and strengthening existing and new partnerships, developing and overseeing implementation of an annual work plan, promoting effective forest and watershed restoration techniques, and representing and advocating for FWRI’s interests, budgets and functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Working with the FWRI Director, FWRI staff, and NMHU staff to track and follow through on administrative actions needed for efficient office operations, hiring, and procurement in support of FWRI operations
• Guiding FWRI Program Managers and Coordinators in program administration, projects, planning and annual responsibilities
• Working with the FWRI Leadership Team to develop work plans, budgets and annual reports
• Mentoring, supporting and supervising a growing and diverse staff of dedicated professionals working in forest and watershed restoration
• Meeting with legislators and administrators to coordinate the activities of the Institute and to advocate for forest and watershed restoration
• Acquiring funding to support FWRI operations, projects, research and outreach
• Developing and advancing partnerships through in-person engagement with Federal, State, Tribal and Local land management agencies and other stakeholders that expand landscape-scale restoration and fuel reduction treatments
• Engaging in applied research on natural resource management and watershed restoration, and reporting on research at conferences and in publications
• Writing reports on forest restoration topics, data collected by staff, and administrative activities
• Conducting and participating in training in coordination with FWRI staff, partners, and stakeholders
• Advocating for forest restoration and adaptive ecological management in New Mexico and the Southwest
• Filling in for the FWRI Director, Program Managers or Coordinators when necessary
• Performing additional duties as assigned by the FWRI Director

Minimum Job Requirements

Education: A master’s degree in public or business administration, environmental planning/design, natural resource policy or management, human dimensions of forestry or ecological restoration, community development, or a closely related field
Experience: Five (5) years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities described above, including project management, budgeting, and personnel supervision

Preferred Qualifications

Education: A doctoral degree focusing on administrative aspects of forestry and natural resources management or a closely related field
Experience: Targeted training related to the duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for this position
Experience: Applied research on ecological, social or economic dimensions of forest and watershed management and restoration, reported in documents, publications and public presentations
Experience: Developing plans and budgets, and overseeing implementation of projects related to natural resource management

Special Conditions for Eligibility

• Must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license
• Must be willing to occasionally work weekends, evenings, and odd hours, as required
• Must be willing to travel, at times to remote locations
Continued employment is contingent on grant funding
*NMHU has implemented a mandatory COVID -19 Vaccine requirement for students and employees. For detained information, visit Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information, New Mexico Highlands University ( NMHU .edu).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of university administrative systems and policies
• Knowledge of collaborative forest and watershed restoration, adaptive ecosystem management and local community development
• Knowledge of funding sources for forest/watershed restoration and community improvement, skill at writing successful grant applications, and ability to administer grant funded programs and projects
• Skill in planning and conducting applied research, including data collection, management and analysis; translating research results to practical applications; and preparing reports on research projects
• Skill in project planning, management, budgeting and reporting
• Skill in organizational planning, including working with partners to conduct needs assessments, conceptualizing planning themes and projects, coordinating with staff to develop plans for individual programs, and overseeing implementation of plans
• Ability to form and sustain partnerships and professional relationships with land owners, managers and stakeholders
• Ability to write technical and educational reports for internal and external publication
• Ability to work productively, professionally and collegially with stakeholders representing varied interests and with diverse colleagues representing an array of disciplines
• Knowledge, familiarity and experience in New Mexico
• Knowledge and skill with geospatial information systems ( GIS ) is desirable
• Knowledge of the Spanish language and ability to speak and write Spanish is a plus, though not required

Physical Demands

• Sitting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frequently
• Standing: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frequently
• Walking:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frequently
• Bending:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Occasionally
• Squatting:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Occasionally
• Climbing:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Occasionally
• Kneeling:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Occasionally
• Lifting up to 20 pounds:. . . . . . . . . . . . .Occasionally
• Lifting greater than 20 pounds:. . . . . . Seldom

Working Environment

Work is performed in in an office on the campus of a regional public university, and occasionally in field sites. The possibility for hybrid work combining office and telework exists, if appropriate.
The mission of the FWRI is to promote practices that advance adaptive management to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and that produce healthy and resilient ecosystems and communities. The Deputy Director will work with a staff with expertise in ecological monitoring and restoration, geospatial information systems, collaboration, education, outreach, and applied research. The FWRI is one of three Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes ( SWERI ), with partner institutes in Arizona and Colorado, and collaborates in the Forest Restoration Triangle ( FORT ) with the NMHU Forestry Department, the only SAF -accredited forestry department in New Mexico, and with the New Mexico State University John T. Harrington Lab in Mora, NM.
The FWRI is located on the campus of Highlands University in historic Las Vegas, NM. Highlands University, a Hispanic Serving Institution, offers a comprehensive education to a diverse student body, and Highlands faculty are actively involved in research, service and outreach. Las Vegas is located at the foot of the picturesque Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and offers small-town charm, a healthy environment and abundant year-round outdoor recreation opportunities in nearby national forests, state parks, and wildlife refuges. Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, is an easy 60-minute drive to the west, and Taos and Albuquerque can be reached in less than two hours.

Pay Rate
$80,000 to $95,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Work Location/Campus Center
Las Vegas, NM Campus

EEO Statement

New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.

For disabled access or services call 505-454-3242 or email hr@nmhu.edu

Visit the link below for more information regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity:
Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
AS717P

Open Date
03/20/2023

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicant

Applicants must submit 1) a letter of interest, detailing compliance with minimum and preferred job requirements and describing work experience and suitability for this position; 2) a CV or resume; 3) the names and contact information for three (3) professional references; 4) unofficial transcripts for all higher education completed or in progress. In addition, applicants must complete the NMHU Employment Application.

Candidates who are invited for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts. References will be contacted in conjunction with interviews.

To apply, go to https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/ and click on the “Staff” link, then on the link for Deputy Director. Submit all materials through this website.

For disabled access or services, call (505) 454-3242 or email hr@nmhu.edu.

New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.

Visit this link for more information regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity: https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

NMHU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Quick Link
https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/postings/8271
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter/ Letter of Interest
  2. Unofficial Transcripts Conferring Required Degree
  3. Letter(s) of Recommendation
  4. Curriculum Vitae
  5. List of Three Professional References with Name, Address and E-Mail
Optional Documents

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert