Senior Monitoring Technician

NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY•Las Vegas, NM

1d•$52,000 - $54,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute (NMFWRI) seeks an eager and creative-minded Senior Technician to join its diverse team of ecological restoration professionals. The Ecological Monitoring Senior Monitoring Technician is an integral member of the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute (NMFWRI). The Ecological Monitoring Program at NMFWRI maintains 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. This Senior Technician is responsible for supporting a team carrying out NMFWRI’s ecological monitoring and restoration activities on public and private lands throughout New Mexico. This position works with the Ecological Monitoring program manager and our team, and other FWRI teams as needed. 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; a passion for working outdoors; a strong safety ethic and robust organizational skills.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource field including coursework pertinent to the duties described above such as botany, ecology, forestry, water resources, and GIS; or equivalent experience (e.g. work experience or a combination of coursework and work experience where 1 year of work experience equates to one year of coursework)
Familiarity with ecological monitoring and safety protocols
At least one field seasons’ experience on a field crew
Wilderness First Aid or higher
Effective time management – continued employment is contingent upon grant/contract funding which come with time-sensitive deliverables
Strong organizational and communication skills
Basic GIS competency

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with R coding and ArcGIS software
Wilderness First Responder or higher
GIS certificate or equivalent experience
1-year or more experience in the measurement of riparian, wetland, forest and related ecological indicators
1-year or more experience with plant ID
Experience in outdoor leadership
Previous work experience providing technical writing
Experience delivering technical training, including on monitoring protocols and field safety.

Responsibilities

Participation in monitoring field crew data collection (including some overnight travel)
Assisting with quality assurance/ quality control
Helping to mentor student workers and interns
Equipment inventory and maintenance
Assisting with data analysis and reporting
Participating in the creation, revision and publication of training, and other materials such as technical guides and science communication products
Providing training to various audiences
Some administrative tasks
Participate in ecological fieldwork.
Support crew leadership in preparation, management, and accomplishment of field tasks.
Support project leads in providing to mentorship to work-study interns in the field, and at times in office settings.
Periodic overnight travel and camping required.
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.
Clearly communicate expectations and schedules.
Emphasize and model a strong culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and professionalism.
Perform computer entry and quality control of field data including using FFI, Microsoft Excel, or other database software with attention to detail, including working with complex historic data.
Generate summary reports and analysis of field and vegetation treatment data; work with NMFWRI staff to communicate results and management implications to partners.
Maintain quality control and quality assurance of entered field data.
Conduct quality control analysis on collected data using R scripts and other tools.
Perform field mapping of project sites using Global Positioning System and Geographic Information Systems technology
Development of training guides, manuals, monitoring plans, and other technical support materials.
Development of science communication products appropriate for different audiences.
Work with the 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.
Conduct training related to forest measurement, treatment, and analysis techniques, including in coordination with other NMFWRI staff and external partners.
Assist with maintenance and organization of files, photos, documents, office resources, and field equipment, including equipment inventory and management via AssetCloud.
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of NMFWRI equipment, including basic vehicle maintenance
Maintain a Wilderness First Responder or higher certification; maintain eligibility for a wildland firefighting "red card" (FFT2), consistent with position duties.
Support NMFWRI in their accomplishment of forest and watershed restoration treatments; participate in other professional development opportunities.
Assist with education and outreach initiatives of the Institute, including cross-program support.
Maintain regular attendance and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues in office, field, and online working environments.
In-person attendance at NMFWRI and SWERI staff meetings and functions, when permitted by field schedule.
Serve on search committees for Monitoring and other hires.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of NMFWRI programs and operations.