Theย New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Instituteย seeksย an eager and creative-mindedย Monitoring Technicianย to join its diverse team of ecological restoration professionals.ย
ย The Monitoring Technician is an integral member of the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute (NMFWRI).ย
ย The Ecological Monitoring Program atNMFWRImaintains a professionally managed field crew to collect data on short and long-term ecosystem responses to restoration treatments, wildfires, climate change, and other disturbances. This data provides a critical scientific basis for adaptive management decisions and improved treatment effectiveness. The program also works with partners to build statewide capacity in ecological monitoring, adaptive management, and restoration.ย ย
This Technician willย assistย with data collection, analysis,ย science communication and field logistics. This position works with the Ecological Monitoring program manager and our team,ย and withย otherFWRIteams as needed.ย
We welcome candidates who can work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of professionals working towards wildfire resilience, post-fire restoration, and watershed conservation. This position will require excellent attention to detail; good self-care; strong time management capabilities; and engagingย communication skills with audiences diverse in age, socioeconomics, and cultural backgrounds.ย ย
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to working closely with the field crew in data collectionย and analysisย (including regular overnight travel); working with complex datasets; working with professionals and NMHU students; assisting in analyzing, interpreting and communicating the management implications of monitoring data; participating in the creation, revision andย publication of training materials; providing training in field methods or other topics to various audiences; assisting in field logistics; and some administrative tasks.ย The majority of the seasonal technician's work will be in the field.
โขโWe are looking for someone with solid technical and social skills.ย ย
โขโOur newย teammateย will have strong organizational skills and will be able to creatively apply theirย skillย and knowledge to new and emerging projects.ย ย
โขโThey will enjoy getting out of the office and gathering field data in challenging and scenic places.ย ย
โขโThey willย showcaseย their talent for high-quality field data collection in service of a community passionate about the conservation and restoration of our New Mexico forests and watersheds.ย
We take care of ourย staff!ย ย
Onceย hired, ourย Technician will have opportunities for professional development.ย Theyย will work with a passionate team engaged in and excited about education, ecological monitoring, and collaborative conservation.ย ย
As a New Mexico Highlands University employee,ย benefitsย includeย superb health,ย paidย leave, and retirement benefits,ย an extended winter holiday break, andย tuition waiversย at New Mexico Highlands University.ย
Where you will work.ย
From city to wilderness, valley to the mountaintop, our Las Vegas, New Mexico-based team serves our communities from the office and in the field.ย NMFWRIโsย Ecological Monitoring Technician willย also trainย others and receive training at locations throughout the state. They collect data and train others for selected projects inย forested,ย grassland, and riparian settings, bringing it back to the office for processing, analysis, and distribution to others.ย The ideal candidate shouldย resideย within a two-hour drive of our Las Vegas, NM office, as regular in-office attendance on campus and fieldwork in the HPCC burn scar isย required.ย
Duties & Responsibilitiesย
Assist crew leads,ย specialists,ย crew logistics, and program manager in achieving the goals of the monitoring program.ย
Perform computer entry of field data including using FFI, Microsoft Excel,ย and other protocolsย with attention to detail.ย
Participate in preparation ofย Emergency Action Plans and other materials to support fieldwork.
Assist crew leads,ย specialists,ย crew logistics, and program manager in achieving the goals of the monitoring program.ย
Perform computer entry of field data including using FFI, Microsoft Excel,ย and other protocolsย with attention to detail.ย
Participate in preparation ofย Emergency Action Plans and other materials to support fieldwork.
Maintain quality control and quality assurance of entered field data.Conduct quality control analysis on collected data using R scripts and other tools.ย
Generate summary reportsย and analysis of field and vegetation treatment data.ย
Maintain and organize files,ย photos, documents, office resources, and field equipment, includingย equipmentย inventory and management viaย AssetCloud,ย andย coordinatingย purchases for fieldwork.ย
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of NMFWRI equipment, including basic vehicle maintenance.ย
Perform field measurements and assessments of forest resources and ecological indicators, including data recording and quality assurance. Work is often performed in remote locations over difficult terrain.ย
Perform field mapping of project sites using Global Positioning System and Geographic Information Systems technologies.ย
Conducting trainingย related to forest measurement, treatment, and analysis techniques, including in coordination with other NMFWRI or NMHU staff.ย During the field season months this includes participation in the field monitoring crew, training studentย internsย or work-studies when available, and overnight travel.ย
Working with theย NMFWRI herbarium, technical literature, and equipment libraries including collection of samples, identification, equipment inventory, and providing managed access and training to professional and student partners.ย
Work withย NMFWRI staff in development and publication of training guides, manuals, and other technical support materials.ย
Take a support role in crew preparation, management, and accomplishment of field tasks.ย
Take a leadership role in crew safety.ย
Support NMFWRI in their accomplishmentย of forest and watershed restoration treatments;ย participateย in other professional development opportunities.ย
Maintain regular attendance and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues in office,ย field, and online working environments.ย
Maintain Wilderness First Aid or higher certification;ย maintainย eligibilityย for a red card.ย
Assistย with education and outreach initiatives of the Institute.ย ย
Minimumย Requirementsย
Education:ย
Bachelorโs degree in a natural resource field includingย coursework pertinent to the duties describedย above such asย botany, ecology, forestry, water resources, and GIS;ย or equivalent experience(e.g.ย work experience or a combination of coursework and work experienceย where 1 year of work experience equates to 1 year of coursework)ย
Experience:ย
Familiarity with ecological monitoring and safety protocolsย
One seasonsโ experience on a field crewย
Effective time management โ continued employment is contingent upon grant/contract funding which come with time-sensitive deliverablesย
Strong organizational and communication skillsย
1-year or more experience in the measurement ofย riparian, wetland,ย forestย and related ecological indicatorsย
1-year or more experience with plant IDย
Experience in outdoor leadershipย
Previousย work experience providing quality control for collected field data, including troubleshooting based on results toย identifyย and correct error sourcesย
Experience delivering technical training,ย including onย monitoring protocols and field safety.ย
Wilderness First Aid or higher
Preferred Skills
Special Conditions for Employmentย
Mustย possessย and maintain a valid NM driverโs license;ย mustย possessย aย full valid New Mexico Driverโs license withinย 60 daysย of employment and maintain a clean motor vehicle record.
Must be willing to work weekends, evenings and odd hours asย requiredย
Mustย be willing to travel.ย
Must be able to engage in field work, often under difficult/challenging environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, steep slopes, dense vegetation, extreme heat and cold, and snow cover.ย
Continued employment is contingent upon the employee maintaining authorization to work in the United States. New Mexico Highlands University and New Mexico Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute do not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.
Must be able to engage in field work, often under difficult/challenging environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, steep slopes, dense vegetation, extreme heat and cold, and snow cover.ย
Continued employment is contingent upon the employee maintaining authorization to work in the United States. New Mexico Highlands University and New Mexico Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute do not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.