The Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands (ARID) Institute is actively hiring for a Science and Adaptive Management Lead to support the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (MRGESCP)’s science and adaptive management activities and initiatives. The MRGESCP is a multi-party collaborative comprised of federal, state, local government agencies; Pueblos; municipal water utilities; an irrigation district; and environmental non-governmental organizations. UNM-ARID provides programmatic, administrative, and scientific support to the MRGESCP in order to fulfill its role of being a collaborative space for the signatory partners to collaborate and coordinate scientific and management activities related to the listed species of the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) and their habitat, the riparian bosque ecosystem.

The MRGESCP Science and Adaptive Management Lead will lead the UNM-ARID Program Support Team (PST) science support activities and initiatives as recommended by the MRGESCP governing body, the Executive Committee (EC).

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides science and adaptive management support to the MRGESCP.
2. Assigns tasks to the UNM-ARID Science Assistant and student employees.
3. Works with the UNM-ARID Program Manager to identify and anticipate future UNM-ARID PST needs, and works with the Student Liaison to find appropriate student employees.
4. Serves as the main UNM-ARID PST point of contact for the MRGESCP Science and Adaptive Management Committee (SAMC).
5. Communicates updates on MRGESCP science activities to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation contracting officer (CO) and contracting officer representative (COR).
6. Communicates updates on MRGESCP science activities to the EC.
7. Supports the Program Manager to set and implement the MRGESCP annual work plan.
8. Ensures that MRGESCP science activities are aligned with the EC-approved Long-Term Plan for Science & Adaptive Management.
9. Ensures science activities are implemented according to the MRGESCP administrative Biennial Schedule.
10. Sets agendas for SAMC meetings and Science & Technical ad hoc groups; ensures meeting outcomes align with the annual work plan.
11. Plans MRGESCP science workshops, including the biennial adaptive management-focused “Collaboratory”.
12. Coordinates activities of PST staff, students, consultants, faculty, and/or volunteers engaged in implementation and administration of MRGESCP science activities.
13. Represents the MRGESCP and UNM-ARID at public outreach events and external meetings.
14. Writes, edits, and coordinates development of MRGESCP documents and deliverables.
15. May perform specialized activities of a programmatic nature in direct support of the accomplishment of MRGESCP objectives and processes.
16. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Demonstrated success with the program(s) making progress toward identified goals under their direction.
• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal and community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a large variety of stakeholders with different technical/scientific backgrounds.
• Strong understanding of scientific process and scientific integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to remain neutral and unbiased when leading groups.
• Exemplary organizational and planning skills, with the ability to track multiple timelines and deliverables.
• Strong understanding of adaptive management principles and best practices.
• Ability to interact with students, faculty and/or staff in a team environment.
• Advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking skills and the ability to effectively summarize and present information.
• Flexible, innovative, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with riparian and riverine ecosystems.
• Science communication experience.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Excellent written, oral, and electronic communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, accept accountability and meet deadlines.
• Ability to lead and train assigned staff.

Note: The For Best Consideration Date has been extended to 12/10/2024.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check. Additional health screenings may be required, dependent on the nature of the research conducted, as determined by Employee Occupational Health Services.

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in ecology, biology, zoology, fisheries, environmental science, or another relevant field.
• Facilitation and mediation experience.
• Understanding of peer review best practices. Experience leading peer reviews a plus.
• Understanding of southwestern riparian and riverine ecosystems.
• Familiarity with climate change concepts in the arid southwest.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.