The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute seeks an eager and creative-minded Monitoring Technician to join its diverse team of ecological restoration professionals.
The 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 Technician will assist with data collection, analysis, science communication and field logistics. This position works with the Ecological Monitoring program manager and our team, and with 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; strong time management capabilities; and engaging communication skills with audiences diverse in age, socioeconomics, and cultural backgrounds.
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to working closely with the field crew in data collection and analysis (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 and publication of training materials; providing training in field methods or other topics to various audiences; assisting in field logistics; and some administrative tasks. The majority of the seasonal technician's work will be in the field.
- We are looking for someone with solid technical and social skills.
- Our new teammate will have strong organizational skills and will be able to creatively apply their skill and knowledge to new and emerging projects.
- They will enjoy getting out of the office and gathering field data in challenging and scenic places.
- They will showcase 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.
We take care of our staff!
Once hired, our Technician will have opportunities for professional development. They will work with a passionate team engaged in and excited about education, ecological monitoring, and collaborative conservation.
As a New Mexico Highlands University employee, benefits include superb health, paid leave, and retirement benefits, an extended winter holiday break, and tuition waivers at New Mexico Highlands University.
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. NMFWRI’s Ecological Monitoring Technician will also train others and receive training at locations throughout the state. They collect data and train others for selected projects in forested, grassland, and riparian settings, bringing it back to the office for processing, analysis, and distribution to others. The ideal candidate should reside 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 is required.
Duties & Responsibilities
Assist crew leads, specialists, crew logistics, and program manager in achieving the goals of the monitoring program.
Perform computer entry of field data including using FFI, Microsoft Excel, and other protocols with attention to detail.
Participate in preparation of Emergency Action Plans and other materials to support fieldwork.
Assist crew leads, specialists, crew logistics, and program manager in achieving the goals of the monitoring program.
Perform computer entry of field data including using FFI, Microsoft Excel, and other protocols with attention to detail.
Participate in preparation of 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.
Generate summary reports and analysis of field and vegetation treatment data.
Maintain and organize files, photos, documents, office resources, and field equipment, including equipment inventory and management via AssetCloud, and coordinating purchases for fieldwork.
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of NMFWRI equipment, including basic vehicle maintenance.
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.
Perform field mapping of project sites using Global Positioning System and Geographic Information Systems technologies.
Conducting training related to forest measurement, treatment, and analysis techniques, including in coordination with other NMFWRI or NMHU staff. During the field season months this includes participation in the field monitoring crew, training student interns or work-studies when available, and overnight travel.
Working 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.
Work with NMFWRI staff in development and publication of training guides, manuals, and other technical support materials.
Take a support role in crew preparation, management, and accomplishment of field tasks.
Take a leadership role in crew safety.
Support NMFWRI in their accomplishment of forest and watershed restoration treatments; participate in other professional development opportunities.
Maintain regular attendance and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues in office, field, and online working environments.
Maintain Wilderness First Aid or higher certification; maintain eligibility for a red card.
Assist with education and outreach initiatives of the Institute.
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 1 year of coursework)
Familiarity with ecological monitoring and safety protocols
One seasons’ experience on a field crew
Effective time management – continued employment is contingent upon grant/contract funding which come with time-sensitive deliverables
Strong organizational and communication skills
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 quality control for collected field data, including troubleshooting based on results to identify and correct error sources
Experience delivering technical training, including on monitoring protocols and field safety.
Wilderness First Aid or higher
Special Conditions for Employment
Must possess and maintain a valid NM driver’s license; must possess a full valid New Mexico Driver’s license within 60 days of employment and maintain a clean motor vehicle record.
Must be willing to work weekends, evenings and odd hours as required
Must be willing to travel.
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.
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.
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.
