Digital Content and Outreach Specialist

NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY • Las Vegas, NM

3d • $55,000 - $69,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute seeks a collaborative and creative Digital Content and Outreach Specialist to join its diverse team of ecological restoration professionals. They will be responsible for providing in-person and media-based outreach, including websites and social media, to our communities and partners. The ideal candidate would: · Showcase their talent for developing and maintaining web content in service of a community passionate about the conservation and restoration of our New Mexico forests and watersheds. · Have excellent communication and outreach skills, with a strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and science communication. · Enjoy getting out of the office to meet with and present our products to a variety of partners and community members. · Creatively apply their technical skills and knowledge to current and emerging projects that support and promote healthy forests, resilient landscapes, and thriving communities. · Have strong organizational skills and enjoy working independently and as part of a team. Once hired, our Digital Content and Outreach Specialist will work with a dedicated team engaged in and excited about education, ecological monitoring, and collaborative conservation and restoration. They will have many opportunities for professional development, and as a New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) employee, benefits include superb health, leave, and retirement packages, an extended winter holiday break, and tuition waivers at NMHU and partner universities.

Requirements

• EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Digital Media, Natural Resources, Geography/GIS, or related field.
• EXPERIENCE: 1 years’ professional experience in outreach, graphic or website design, social/digital media or related discipline.
• Must have a flexible schedule, travel is required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Experience with website design and content creation using content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress, Wagtail, or similar software, and basic use of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript as needed.
• Ability to develop and implement outreach strategies (social media engagement, workshops, webinars) and materials (website editing, video creation, social media posts).
• Experience with graphic design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Analytics.
• Knowledge of web-based mapping applications, including ArcGIS Online and Hub sites.
• Understanding of UI/UX principles and best practices.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal organizations that work within the natural resources, wildfire, and forestry disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of groups and diverse backgrounds, including rural communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to develop and maintain partner relationships.

Nice To Haves

• EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in Communications, Digital Media, Natural Resources, Geography/GIS, or related field
• EXPERIENCE: 3+ years’ professional experience in outreach, digital media and marketing, graphic design, social/digital media, web-based applications and maps, or related discipline.
• Working proficiency in Spanish is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with our program managers and partners to develop and customize responsive and engaging web applications, including ArcGIS Online Hub sites, that provide optimal user experience.
• Help create and maintain digital content, including the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Hub Site https://hpcchub.org/ and outreach products for the Treatment and Wildfire Interagency Geodatabase (TWIG) as part of SWERI’s ReSHAPE Program, https://reshapewildfire.org/.
• Translate and transform scientific data and concepts into accessible public information and educational materials.
• Update and maintain digital content and websites, and troubleshoot and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Assist in planning, developing, and executing outreach strategies including workshops, webinars, presentations, tutorials, social media posts, and newsletter updates.
• Frequent travel statewide and nationwide to attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops. This will include working to support NMFWRI and ReSHAPE booths. 1-2 trips to Las Vegas, New Mexico per month and up to a week per month traveling to meetings and events in New Mexico and across the US.
• Develop relationships, maintain communication, and work productively with our partners and communities. Attending of local partner and agency partner meetings.
• Outreach to communities and local government to present and promote NMFWRI and SWERI products.
• Provide training to users on our web-based applications, including virtual webinars and in-person events.
• Assess and track the use and success of outreach methods and audience engagement for use in quarterly and impact reports.
• Maintain regular attendance and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues in office, field, and online working environments.
• Stay up to date with the latest web design trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• superb health, leave, and retirement packages
• an extended winter holiday break
• tuition waivers at NMHU and partner universities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level