Collaboration Technician

Position Details

Position Information

Position
Collaboration Technician

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Job Type
Regular

Position Summary

The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute ( FWRI ) seeks a full-time Collaboration Technician to work with community-based conservation collaborative groups and networks around the State of New Mexico on organization, administration and capacity building, and to contribute to building the FWRI’s Collaboration Program. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Sciences, or Environmental Education with coursework in Human Dimensions, or a bachelor’s degree in a social science discipline with coursework in natural resources or a closely related field. Relevant work experience can substitute for coursework requirements. The Collaboration Technician will work closely with the Collaboration Program Manager and other FWRI staff to promote and support collaborative groups and networks in New Mexico and neighboring states. The Collaboration Technician will organize and administer sub-regional networks, on the technologically-driven Connecting for Conservation (C4C) model, and will link place-based collaboratives and sub-regional networks with multi-state networks, such as the Southwest Collaboratives Support Network ( SWCSN ) and the Western Collaborative Conservation Network ( WCCN ). The job requires working with colleagues in public agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the New Mexico State Forestry Division; with staff at non-profit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the Forest Stewards Guild; with farmers, ranchers and soil and water conservation districts; with businesses; and with landowners and community members in rural, suburban, and urban areas. The Collaboration Technician also will coordinate with partners at other SWERI institutes in Arizona and Colorado, and with partners in the Forest Restoration Triangle ( FORT ) from New Mexico Highlands University and New Mexico State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical assistance provider in collaborative practice in the FWRI’s Collaboration Program;
• Attend face-to-face and virtual meetings of collaborative groups, and maintain a register of activities each group is involved in. This will require travel around New Mexico;
• Assist collaborative groups in building collaborative capacity, keep track of the needs of each group, and of organizations and projects that provide resources to collaborative groups;
• Provide logistical support for the implementation of varied collaborative conservation efforts and activities;
• Work productively with federal, state, tribal, and local land managers, private landowners, representatives from environmental and conservation organizations, farmers and ranchers, businessowners, and others who participate in conservation collaboratives;
• Produce materials that can benefit collaborative groups. Including the creation and maintenance of web-based resources, including websites, social media sites, and maps;
• Organize and promote sub-regional collaborative networks that link together collaborative organizations for peer-to-peer learning, coordination and information sharing;
• Attend meetings of collaborative networks, and contribute to the activities of these organizations;
• Connect community-based collaborative groups to sub-regional, regional and multi-state networks, and assist in communications between these entities;
• Maintain and promote the FWRI New Mexico Collaborative map. Update the roster of collaborative groups and support organizations in the western U.S.;
• Develop public awareness of the purposes and accomplishments of collaborative forest management;
• Coordinate with personnel from the other SWERI institutes, the Ecological Restoration Institute in Flagstaff, AZ, and the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute in Fort Collins, CO, and with partners in the Forest Restoration Triangle ( FORT ), as necessary;
• Represent the FWRI at local, regional, or statewide events;
• Acquire funding for FWRI activities from federal, state, and private sources;
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality;
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the FWRI director, deputy director and collaboration program manager.

Minimum Job Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree specializing in human dimensions of natural resources, forest management, environmental science, environmental education, sociology, anthropology or a closely related field, is required.
• Experience: Commitment to diversity in conservation, including in the workplace, with partners, and/or in programs and projects.
• Experience: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience: Proficient computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of collaboration and collaborative forest management and restoration;
• Experience working with forest collaboratives and networks in New Mexico and the Southwest;
• Experience in creating and maintaining web-based resources, including websites, social media sites, and maps;
• Experience working with New Mexican landowners and managers, and understanding of restoration priorities;
• A proven record of at least six (6) months’ experience working with conservation collaborative groups, which includes participating in meetings, planning group activities, and coordinating collaborative networks.

Special Conditions for Eligibility

• Must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license (New Mexico driver’s license is preferred), and must complete defensive driving training.
• Must be willing to travel, at times on remote roads.
• Must be willing to work weekends, evenings and odd hours as required.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
• Continued employment is contingent upon grant funding.

New Mexico Highlands University has implemented a mandatory COVID -19 vaccine requirement for NMHU students and employees. For detailed information, visit Coronavirus ( COVID -19) information – New Mexico Highlands University (nmhu.edu)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Desirable candidates will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Knowledge, familiarity, and experience working in the diverse communities of rural New Mexico;
• Ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds on natural resources issues;
• Ability to communicate effectively to diverse professional and public audiences;
• Ability to work productively, professionally and collegially with colleagues and diverse external stakeholders, as attested to by professional references;
• Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques, facilitation and mediation;
• Ability to write technical reports for internal and external publication;

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

The mission of the FWRI is to promote practices that advance adaptive management, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve ecosystem function. The Collaboration Program complements FWRI expertise in monitoring, geospatial information systems, outreach, economics, and ecological restoration. The FWRI is one of three Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes ( SWERI ), with partner institutes in Arizona and Colorado. 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 at the foot of the picturesque Sangre de Cristo Mountains and offers small-town charm, a healthy environment and abundant year-round outdoor recreational 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
$42,140

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
AS737P

Open Date
05/05/2023

Close Date

Open Until Filled

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. 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.

Quick Link
https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/postings/8352
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Public Job Posting
   • Internal Job Posting
   • Agency Referral
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2. What is the highest level of education attained?
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3. How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
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   • 7+
4. Are you available to work in the evening (6 pm to 10 pm)?
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5. Are you available to work weekends?
   • Yes
   • No

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter/ Letter of Interest
3. Unofficial Transcripts Conferring Required Degree
4. Letter(s) of Recommendation

Optional Documents