Restoration Site Operations Manager (GeoSystems Analysis)

Westland Resources • Albuquerque, NM

14d • $66,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

GeoSystems Analysis, Inc., a Trinity Consultants team, is adding a Restoration Site Operations Manager to join our growing team in the southwest. The Restoration Site Operations Manager provides professional, day-to-day leadership of a large-scale agricultural land conversion and ecological restoration project involving more than 1,000 acres. This field-based role applies advanced knowledge of agricultural operations, irrigation, land management, restoration ecology, vegetation establishment, habitat management, and natural-resource practices to plan, evaluate, implement, and adapt project activities. The position exercises professional judgment in evaluating agricultural, ecological, hydrologic, vegetation, and site conditions; determining appropriate management approaches; and translating project objectives and technical recommendations into effective field implementation. The role works closely with project managers, technical professionals, farmers, contractors, landowners, agency personnel, and other stakeholders and may participate directly in field activities as necessary to support project objectives. This is a field-based position located in the San Acacia, New Mexico area and requires a significant and consistent on-site presence. Residence on or near the project site is preferred to support day-to-day farming, irrigation, restoration, and property-management activities. The company is willing to explore reasonable alternative housing or commuting arrangements with qualified candidates based on project and operational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, agronomy, ecology, natural resources, wildlife biology, environmental science, soil science, hydrology, restoration ecology, or a closely related field required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in agricultural operations, land management, ecological or habitat restoration, natural-resource management, irrigation management, or a closely related field required.
• Demonstrated experience independently evaluating field conditions and developing, implementing, or adapting agricultural, ecological, land-management, or restoration approaches required.
• Experience managing irrigated agricultural operations or large-scale land-management projects.
• Experience with agricultural land conversion, ecological restoration, rewilding, or wildlife habitat establishment.
• Experience with native vegetation establishment, invasive-species management, and riparian, grassland, wetland, or moist-soil habitat restoration.
• Advanced knowledge of agriculture, agronomy, natural resources, ecology, habitat restoration, land management, irrigation, vegetation management, or a related discipline.
• Ability to apply professional and technical knowledge to evaluate complex field conditions, identify alternatives, and make sound recommendations and decisions.
• Knowledge of irrigated agricultural operations, including irrigation systems, pumps, wells, water-delivery infrastructure, and agricultural equipment.
• Ability to independently evaluate changing agricultural, ecological, hydrologic, vegetation, and weather conditions and adapt field-management practices accordingly.
• Strong professional judgment, analytical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple agricultural and restoration activities.
• Ability to effectively direct and coordinate farmers, contractors, equipment operators, field personnel, and technical professionals.
• Strong communication, organization, technical documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to safely operate agricultural and field equipment as needed.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, field-based environment.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate vehicles in agricultural and off-road environments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience independently evaluating field conditions and developing or adapting agricultural, ecological, or restoration-management approaches strongly desired.
• Equivalent combinations of specialized education, training, and professional experience may be considered where they provide substantially equivalent advanced knowledge and professional capability.
• Knowledge of waterbird habitat management, particularly wintering waterbirds or sandhill cranes.
• Experience in the Middle Rio Grande Valley or similar arid or semi-arid agricultural and riparian environments.
• Experience using ArcGIS or other GIS tools for mapping, field data collection, or site documentation.
• Conversational Spanish or bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional, day-to-day leadership and oversight of agricultural operations, land conversion, habitat restoration, irrigation, and property-management activities.
• Apply advanced agricultural, ecological, land-management, vegetation, and water-management knowledge to develop, implement, evaluate, and adapt field-management strategies.
• Evaluate soil, vegetation, hydrologic, agricultural, weather, and other site conditions and exercise professional judgment in determining appropriate methods, timing, priorities, and operational adjustments.
• Plan and coordinate field activities, including site preparation, planting, seeding, irrigation, vegetation and invasive-species management, earthwork, habitat establishment, and property maintenance.
• Independently evaluate project outcomes and recommend or implement adjustments to agricultural, irrigation, vegetation-management, habitat-restoration, and site-management practices.
• Translate restoration plans, monitoring data, technical recommendations, and project objectives into practical field-management strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate vegetation establishment, habitat conditions, irrigation performance, invasive species, agricultural conditions, and other project indicators to assess effectiveness and inform adaptive management.
• Identify and evaluate changing site conditions, technical or operational risks, and potential impacts to project objectives and determine appropriate responses or recommendations.
• Coordinate and provide technical direction to farmers, contractors, equipment operators, field personnel, and service providers and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of completed work.
• Inspect and evaluate irrigation systems, pumps, wells, agricultural equipment, water-delivery infrastructure, and other site systems and determine appropriate operational or maintenance needs.
• Operate agricultural, irrigation, and field equipment as necessary to evaluate conditions, troubleshoot issues, demonstrate practices, or support project implementation.
• Collaborate with project managers, scientists, technical professionals, landowners, and agency representatives on project planning, implementation, monitoring, and problem-solving.
• Provide field-based professional input supporting permitting, compliance, monitoring, technical reporting, and project planning.
• Maintain accurate technical and operational records regarding agricultural activities, irrigation, restoration implementation, field observations, site conditions, and project performance.
• Perform other related professional agricultural, restoration, natural-resource, and site-management responsibilities as necessary to support project objectives.

Benefits

• 9 paid holidays
• healthcare benefits
• PTO
• 401k matching
• discretionary bonus program that considers business profitability and individual performance
• Two-way mentorship
• tuition reimbursement
• career path structure

What This Job Offers

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