Conservation Specialist

Job Details

Job Location:

Las Vegas, NM 87701

Position Type:
Term - Full time

Education Level: Masters Degree

Salary Range: $58,656.00 - $65,000.00 Salary

Job Category:
Staff

The Conservation Science Center (CSC) is a program within the NMForest & Watershed Restoration Institute and is actively seeking candidates with a strong land stewardship ethic who valuecommunity advocacy and engagement. This position works with the CSCProgram Manager and supports long-term community recovery effortsfollowing the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon wildfire by supporting educational trainings in restoration practices, workforce development, and engaging with youth and adult audiences.

Wewelcome candidates with an enthusiasm for participatory,human-centered programming and culturally responsivecommunications. This position will require strong interpersonal skills with collaborators of diverse ages, socioeconomics, and cultural backgrounds; and an ability to cultivate new and strengthen existing community partnerships. Candidates should be comfortable working with northern NM rural communities.

Additionally, this position includes adapting scientific conceptsinto immersive hands-on activities for local youth and landownersto increase accessibility to research and restorationpractices.

• Support the implementation of Fire-Informed Restoration Education for New Mexico (FIRENM) programming;
• Engage landowners to build and expand landowner networks for Landscape Stewardship Planning efforts, FIRENM field sites, YCC andyouth engagement programming, and other community-basedinitiatives;
• Manage, plan, and implement K-12 initiatives, including theannual STEM Showdown with NM MESA, Mora Outdoor School, Northern NMRegional Envirothon, and similar outdoor education programming,etc.;
• Pilot and adapt culturally responsive curricula for northern NMyouth and adult populations;
• Pilot and refine citizen science monitoring forlandowners;
• Co-develop conservation leadership professional development forNMHU STEM majors and local communities.

• Embrace principles of fairness, cultural appreciation, and respectful engagement in programing, workplace interactions, and communications;
• Facilitate FIRENM event planning, workshop logistics and fieldsite preparation, including cross-program communications and planning within NMFWRI, and with partner organizations;
• Spearhead K-12 initiatives, including project planning and logistics with community partners
• Support citizen science monitoring related to FIRENMpractices;
• Cross-collaborate with STEM grant teams at NMHU to leverageresources; pilot conservation leadership initiatives;
• Develop and maintain partnerships with formal and informaleducators, higher education partner institutions,state/federal/nonprofit community partners, private landowners,etc.;
• Represent CSC professionally and participate in community meetings, webinars, relevant Communities of Practice, communityboards, and working committees;
• Assist with reviewing, editing and revising curriculamaterials, technical guides and other educational materialsdeveloped by the CSC and FIRENM teams;
• Work with NMFWRI staff and NMHU faculty to support fieldclasses, webinars and in-person trainings
• Maintain Wilderness First Aid certification, participate infield crew safety trainings, and other internal professional development opportunities to maintain a holistic skillset and provide cross-program support as time allows;
• Support grant/program review and administration, maintain project budgets, record keeping, and other administrative tasks;
• Maintain regular attendance and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues in office, field, and online working environments;
• Additional duties as assigned by the CSC Program Manager.

Education :
Master’s degree in ecological restoration,forestry, ecology, environmental science, natural resourcesmanagement, wildlife biology, or a closely related field, OR  one of these fields with 2 years substantial and in-depth,directly related training and work experience.

Experience :
One (1) year experience in engaging diverse audiences, e.g. youth…