Ecological Monitoring Crew Lead

New Mexico Highlands University is hiring an Ecological Monitoring Crew Lead in Las Vegas, NM. This full-time role requires a Bachelor's degree and involves leading field crews in ecological monitoring and restoration activities across New Mexico. Responsibilities include data collection, supervision of interns, and training. The position emphasizes teamwork, attention to detail, and a passion for outdoor work. Salary ranges from $50,523.20 to $59,000.00 with benefits.
Job Details



Job Location: Main Campus - Las Vegas NM - Las Vegas, NM
87701



Position Type: Full Time



Education Level: Bachelor's Degree



Salary Range: $50,523.20 - $59,000.00 Salary



Travel Percentage: Up to 50%



Job Category: Staff



Description



The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute seeks an
eager and creative-minded Crew Lead to join its diverse team of
ecological restoration professionals.



The Ecological Monitoring Crew Lead 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 Crew Lead is responsible for leading crews 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.



Responsibilities will include but are not limited to leadership of
the monitoring field crew in data collection (including regular
overnight travel); providing oversight and quality control;
supervising and mentoring 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; providing training to various
audiences; and some administrative tasks.



• 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.



* They will be excited about working with a close-knit team and
model a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and
professionalism



We take care of our staff!



Once hired, the Crew Lead 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.



Where you will work.



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 Crew Lead 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 



Provide leadership, supervision, and operational oversight for
field crews and work-study students/interns, when applicable.



Take a leadership role in crew preparation, management, and
accomplishment of field tasks. This involves primary supervision,
mentorship and task delegation of the upland field crew and
work-study interns in the field, and at times in office settings,
as well as coordinating schedules, vehicles, equipment, and meals.
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, schedules, and protocols to field
staff; support professional development through mentorship,
training, and feedback. Emphasize and model a strong culture of
safety, accountability, teamwork, and professionalism.



Prepare Emergency Action Plans and other materials to support
fieldwork.



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



Work with NMFWRI staff in development and publication of training
guides, manuals, and other technical support materials. 



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.



Maintain and organize files, photos, documents, office resources,
and field equipment, including equipment inventory and management
via AssetCloud, and coordinating purchases for fieldwork.



  Utilize an asset management system to handle check in/check out
and inventory of equipment for fieldwork



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.



Qualifications



Minimum Requirements:



Education:  



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)



AND



Experience: 



Familiarity with ecological monitoring and safety protocols  



At least 2 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



Preferred Qualifications:



Familiarity with R coding and ArcGIS software

Wilderness First Responder or higher

GIS certificate or equivalent experience



2-years or more experience in the measurement of riparian, wetland,
forest and related ecological indicators



2-years or more experience with plant ID 



Experience in outdoor leadership and crew 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. 



Preferred Skills Education:  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)



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, at times to remote locations.



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 on grant funding.



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.



Physical Demands: • Sitting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .. Frequently

• Standing: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frequently

• Walking: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Frequently

• Bending: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Occasionally

• Squatting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occasionally

• Climbing: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Occasionally

• Kneeling: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Occasionally

• Lifting up to 20 pounds: . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Frequently

• Lifting greater than 20 pounds: . . . . . . Occasionally



Working Environment:



50% outdoors; 50% indoors