Now Hiring: Operations Specialist – Be the Power Behind UNM’s Capital Planning Success!
Are you detail-driven, organized, and energized by the idea of bringing big ideas to life? Join the University of New Mexico’s Campus Capital and Space Planning (CCSP) team as an Operations Specialist and help turn vision into reality by supporting major capital planning and infrastructure projects across our campuses.
This is your chance to be at the center of impactful change—supporting the people, processes, and paperwork that make multimillion-dollar projects happen. You’ll work closely with university leaders, state agencies, and a wide range of internal partners to coordinate project approvals, ensure compliance, and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

The University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Campus Capital and Space Planning (CCSP) department seeks an Operations Specialist to join our vibrant, committed team of professionals. UNM CCSP manages the capital plan and capital outlay process in close coordination with University leadership. This is a continuous annual process that prioritizes and manages capital outlay requests, appropriations, and approvals for University projects including new construction, renovation, acquisition, demolition, repairs, and campus improvements.

The Capital Planning team works with the Capital Investment Planning Committee (CIPC) to create and maintain the 5-Year Capital Plan for Albuquerque campuses. 

What You’ll Do:
As Operations Specialist, you’ll play a key role in the day-to-day operations of UNM’s capital planning process, supporting new construction, renovations, acquisitions, demolitions, and campus improvements.

• Plan and coordinate the day-to-day fiscal, administrative, and operational activities of UNM’s capital planning and capital project approval processes related to UNM’s capital appropriations, contracts, and grant-funded projects.
• Work closely with the Capital Plan Manager, accounting, other Campus Capital & Space Planning staff, other campus units addressing capital projects and planning, and Facilities Design & Construction.
• Be organized, detail-oriented, skilled in managing spreadsheets and forms, and able to work with many people to meet Board of Regents, Higher Education Department, and State Board of Finance review and approval processes and deadlines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide specialized administrative support in the development, implementation, and communication of the capital plan and capital project requests and approvals.
• Serve as a central point of contact between CCSP staff, other departments, and/or external constituencies on day-to-day programmatic, operational, and administrative matters; assists with meetings, special projects, and/or general problem resolution.
• Coordinate activities of staff and review boards to implement and administer program objectives.
• Monitor and administer project revenues and expenses; may develop or participate in the development of funding proposals for the program.
• Write, edit, and coordinate development of required forms pertaining to capital project requests and approvals, promotional materials, educational materials, training manuals, as appropriate to the program.
• Maintain program/project records, research information and gather and compute various data; prepare special and/or one-time reports and summaries, and reply to inquiries, selecting relevant data from a variety of sources.
• Perform or coordinate clerical and administrative support tasks, including creation, typing, and editing of capital planning correspondence, documents, reports, and other publications.
• Provide specialized advice, facilitation, and support to management, faculty, staff, and/or students.
• May coordinate grant and/or proposal writing as needed to fund capital projects.
• May perform specialized activities to support of the capital plan and project approvals.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Why Join UNM?
Working at the University of New Mexico offers a fulfilling, stable career with excellent benefits that support your growth, wellness, and life outside of work:

Compensation & Work-Life Balance
Up to 168 hours of vacation and 96 hours of sick leave annually
11 paid holidays
Hybrid schedule: 3 days in-office, 2 days remote (per policy)

Health & Financial Benefits:
Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
Pension plan + additional retirement options
Life and long-term care insurance

Education & Career Growth
Tuition remission for employees, spouses/partners, and dependents
Access to professional development, training, and advancement

Community & Culture
Inclusive, vibrant campus culture
Wellness resources and fitness facilities

Opportunities for community involvement and making an impact

Ready to Make an Impact?
This is more than just a behind-the-scenes role—your coordination and leadership help shape the physical future of New Mexico’s flagship university.
Apply now and be part of a team where your contributions matter—every project, every deadline, every step of the way.

See the Position Description for additional information.

High school diploma or GED; at least 7 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.

Who You Are (Preferred Qualifications):
You’re an operations powerhouse who thrives on organization, precision, and collaboration. We’re looking for someone with:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel, Smartsheet, Microsoft and Adobe software tools.  
• Knowledge of fiscal management  
• Knowledge or familiarity of the capital planning process in New Mexico 
• Knowledge of UNM Regent Committee Policies and Procedures 
• Knowledge of Higher Education Department Policies and Procedures

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.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete the online application, include a cover letter, include a current resume, and provide (3) Professional references. Be sure to include your full professional employment history.

1) Complete the official online application.
2) Cover Letter – Please attach a cover letter that describes why you want this job. Address how your qualifications and work experience match the position and the preferred qualifications detailed in this job advertisement.
3) Resume – Please attach your current resume. Your resume should include a complete work history with beginning and ending dates (month/year). 4) References – Applicants must provide names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references with your application materials. References will not be contacted without the permission of the applicant. Your cover letter, resume, and references should be uploaded as a PDF file. Finalists should be prepared to provide official educational transcripts if selected for hire. Please see minimum qualifications for specifics. 

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.