What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Director, Operations and Development position at New Mexico Highlands University?
The New Mexico Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute (NMFWRI) seeks a Deputy Director for Operations and Development. The NMFWRI’s mission is to reduce catastrophic wildfires and restore resilient, fire- and climate-adapted ecosystems by collaborating with partners and engaging communities to bridge scientific and local knowledge and build capacity in landscape-scale adaptive management. The Deputy Director for Operations and Development will contribute to this mission by guiding planning and implementation, fundraising, policy development and communications along with NMFWRI’s Leadership Team.
Working with program managers in the GIS, Monitoring, Collaboration, and Conservation Science Center programs, as well as administration, researchers and program support staff, the Deputy Director will coordinate activities, produce program materials, promote program accomplishments, share information, and develop applied research and outreach. The Deputy Director also develops and implements NMFWRI policies and communications, seeks and oversees funding through private and public grants and contracts, and participates in NMFWRI interactions with NMHU, NM Higher Education, NM Legislature and Federal officials, all with the ultimate goal of advancing the mission of the NMFWRI.
Duties and Responsibilities
Core Duties:
- Coordinate NMFWRI operations, setting institutional goals and policies along with the Institute’s administration and implementing policies with program managers, researchers, and program support staff;
- Oversee the NMFWRI’s development operations, including writing and submitting competitive federal, state, and private grant and contract proposals, overseeing execution of successful grants and contracts, and completing necessary assessment and reporting paperwork;
- Mentor program managers, program support staff and researchers in preparing and submitting funding proposals;
- Acquire other funding for institute activities from private and public sources;
- Serve on NMFWRI program and ad hoc committees, including the Leadership Team and search committees, and other programmatic committees;
- Coordinate NMFWRI planning, including development of the annual federal and state work plans and budgets in coordination with the NMFWRI Leadership Team and the U.S. Forest Service;
- Coordinate assessment and preparation of the NMFWRI’s annual report, as well as project reports and assessments, including collecting and analyzing appropriate data as needed;
- Serve as an information source, adviser and mentor to NMFWRI staff on forest and watershed management and restoration;
- Ensure timely and accurate information sharing among NMFWRI program managers, program support, and staff;
- Participate in planning and coordinating activities with other Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes (SWERI), including the annual SWERI Leadership Retreat;
- Supervise NMFWRI staff and student workers, as needed;
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the NMFWRI Director.
Discretionary Duties:
- Develop public awareness of the importance of fire in forest ecosystems and restoration, post-fire restoration, and preparing landscapes and communities for wildfires;
- Participate in or serve on NMHU committees, advisory boards, activities, etc., that promote the mission and vision of NMFWRI, as appropriate;
- Represent the NMFWRI in local, regional, statewide and national collaborative watershed restoration and watershed working groups and networks;
- Engage in outreach and applied research in the area of collaborative natural resource management, especially as it relates to watershed restoration, and present research results at conferences and in working papers, research reports and briefs, and book chapters and journal articles;
- Offer guest lectures, presentations and courses in the NMHU Forestry Dept. courses, as needed;
Education: A doctoral or terminal degree in a Natural Resource field, or in Administration, Policy, Business, Public Service, or Law with substantial coursework and experience in natural resource management and restoration.
Experience: Five years’ experience in a senior administrative position in a higher education institute.
Preferred Qualifications
- Additional education and/or experience in administration, management, and/or development;
- Experience working with federal or state policymakers and administrators;
- Experience in field-based participatory and collaborative resource management;
- Knowledge of forest restoration practices and organizations in New Mexico and the Southwest;
- Fluency in Spanish.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license;
- Must be willing to work weekends, evenings and odd hours as required;
- Must be willing to travel occasionally, as needed;
- The NMFWRI is entirely funded through public and private grants, and continued employment is contingent upon sustained grant funding.
Core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge and practical experience in adaptive land management and collaborative resource restoration;
- Ability to manage, coordinate and administer programs and work productively with a diverse and engaged staff in a dynamic environment;
- Skill in communicating complex ideas and coordinating communication among staff members;
- Knowledge of funding entities and preparing effective grant applications;
- Ability to acquire federal and state grants, external contracts, and other forms of funding;
- Knowledge and experience preparing and presenting information orally, in formal and informal settings, and ability to communicate effectively to diverse professional and public audiences;
- Ability to write technical reports, briefs, and manuscripts for internal and external publication aimed at professionals, policymakers and/or the general public;
- Knowledge of assessment practices and techniques, and reporting assessment results;
- Ability to mentor staff and students in knowledge and skills in forest and watershed restoration, and ability to implement the NMFWRI’s professional and institutional development goals;
- Ability to work productively, professionally and collegially with colleagues and diverse external stakeholders;
- Knowledge and experience in applied research, ability to plan and conduct an applied research project and to mentor other staff members in research methods and skills;
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge, familiarity, and experience in New Mexico;
- Knowledge and familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS);
- Knowledge and familiarity with economic principles, data, and analysis;
- Knowledge of ecosystem structure, function and management in western forests and western landscapes;
- Standing …………………………………………………………….. Occasionally
- Walking…………………………………………………………..…… Occasionally
- Bending………………………………………………………….…… Occasionally
- Squatting…………………………………………………………..… Occasionally
- Climbing………………………………………………………….….. Occasionally
- Kneeling……………………………………………………………… Occasionally
- Sitting…………………………………………………………….…… Frequently
- Lifting (up to 30 lbs.)…..……….…………………………..…. Rarely
Administrative work is normally performed in an indoor work environment on a college campus; Field work is generally performed in rural and peri-urban environments, and occasionally in remote and wilderness settings; Work frequently involves interactions with NMFWRI staff, NMHU administrators, public officials, and with community groups, often in resource-limited settings.
Pay Rate $115,000 annual salary Work Location/Campus Center Las Vegas, NM Campus EEO Statement
New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, 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. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.
For disabled access or services call 505-454-3242 or email hr@nmhu.edu
Visit the link below for more information regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity:
Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW
For disabled access or services call 505-454-3242 or email hr@nmhu.edu
Visit the link below for more information regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity:
Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
AS958P
Open Date
04/04/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicant
Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their interest in this postion, a current CV, an unofficial copy of transcripts for the qualifying degree, and a list of two professional references.
Quick Link
https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/postings/9559
Salary : $115,000
