Program Specialist Senior

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

Department Contact: Jay Misra, misra

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 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.

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

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.

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…