Mechanical Technician III

Position Details

• 503869
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at:
  Aug 25 2026 - 23:55 MDT

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Department Contact: Samantha Lish, , slish

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising

Summary:

The Jornada Experimental Range is seeking applicants for a Mechanical Tech III to support Range Staff as well as faculty/staff managing field sites by maintaining vehicles, equipment (including research equipment), and range facilities and tools.

Position Details

Position Title: Mechanical Technician III

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317250-JORNADA EXPER RANGE HEADQUARTERS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $25.56

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status
:
Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard

Work Schedule:

Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard

Work Schedule:

7:00am-3:30pm

Job Duties and Responsibilities: THIS POSITION IS ONE YEAR APPOINMENT WHICH MAY BE EXTENDED; CONTIGENT UPON EXTERNAL FUNDING

Performs general maintenance and repair of facilities that support livestock research including corrals, fences, wells, pipelines, troughs, solar pumping systems, etc.

Performs rangeland management practices, ranch livestock facility repair and maintenance. Maintain and repair pens, corrals, and barbed wire fencing. Knowledgeable in the equipment and tools required to perform these duties. Design and fabricate tools and equipment together to have an item that fits in the projects/field study needs.

Keeps vehicles and equipment available for use by inspecting and completing preventive maintenance and preforming repairs as needed. Vehicles and equipment include small, air-cooled engines, trucks, ATVs/UTVs, and heavy equipment with diesel engines and hydraulics.

Inventory maintenance of parts and supplies so faculty and staff are aware of what is being used and what is available.

Performs general facility and building maintenance such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, and electrical work carried out in this position are less than journeyman work and are concerned with the more routine maintenance and repair of the facility buildings and infrastructure.

Maintain several miles of dirt and gravel roads by use of a motor grader and other heavy road equipment and machinery.

Assist with the maintenance and repairs of water wells located in various areas of the Jornada Experimental Range.

Operates various hand tools and power tools. Operates small and heavy equipment to include bobcat, backhoe, trencher, tractor, road grader, etc.

Maintenance of fleet fuel distribution equipment, calculating fuel needs and storage, and completing fuel usage records.

Qualifications

Required

Education and Experience:

High School diploma + 4 years of relevant experience or an Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with range/ranch maintenance tasks

Knowledge of vehicles and heavy equipment to include operation, preventive maintenance and repair.

Knowledge of maintenance and repair for buildings, corrals, roads, and fences

Knowledge of routine electrical repair and plumbing

Knowledge of welding, metal working, and fabrication

Knowledge in handling livestock in small areas, feeding and proper methods of moving livestock.

Ability to motivate, train, and work effectively with subordinates.

Ability to communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan and organize work activities effectively. Ability to read and interpret construction and field research plans.

Ability to adjust work operations to meet emergencies without compromising quality of work

Willingness and ability to learn and attend training courses.

Ability to work outdoors during hot or cold, windy weather.

Special Certification/Licensure

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves almost constant exposure to unusual elements: i.e. extreme temp, toxic chemicals, biohazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, other potentially dangerous materials/situations that require safety precaution/protective equip

Physical Effort: Considerable physical activity. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

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…