Natural resources manager dot

The State of New Mexico is hiring a Natural Resources Manager for the NMDOT in Santa Fe, NM. This role involves managing the Natural Resources Section, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations like NEPA, overseeing environmental clearance documents, and coordinating with various stakeholders. The position also includes developing policies and managing consultant contracts. The job supports project development while promoting environmental protection and economic development.
Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two (2) weeks of closing date.

mission of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for the traveling public, while promoting economic development and preserving the environment of New Mexico. The Environmental Bureau works with many regulatory agencies and the public to ensure that state highway and transportation projects protect and enhance the environment and preserve cultural and community resources while meeting the mission of the Department. The Environmental Bureau is composed of three Sections: Natural Resources/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Cultural Resources, and Roadside and Community Design.

As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
Why does the job exist?

This position supports the NMDOT in achieving its agency mission and meeting project development and construction schedules, while ensuring state and federal environmental requirements are met.
How does it get done?

This position manages the Natural Resources Section and supervises two (2) supervisors, overseeing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and completion of environmental clearance documents, which are required for all federally funded projects. This includes compliance with the Clean Water Act (sections 404 and 401), Endangered Species Act, Section 106 archeology, air quality, wetland mitigation, wildlife corridors, noise impacts, public involvement, and other resource issues. All state and federally funded projects statewide are required to have environmental clearances issued by the Natural Resources Section. Coordination with the public, regulatory agency stakeholders, transportation districts, project design engineers and design staff is critical to ensuring that project funding and productions schedules are maintained.

This position is responsible for developing program-level policies, procedures and strategic plans, and manages over ten (10+) on-call environmental consultant contracts, including Request for Proposal (RFP) development, pre-proposal presentations, proposal evaluation and selection, contract negotiation, task assignment and management, invoice approval, and contract closeout.
Who are the customers?

This position reports to the NMDOT Environmental Bureau Chief and serves the agency’s North, Central and South Region Design Centers and all six (6) District Offices, Tribal/Local Public Agencies (T/LPA), utility companies, and NMDOT contractors. The position also works directly with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and other federal and state regulatory and land management agencies.
Ideal Candidate

This position reports to the NMDOT Environmental Bureau Chief and serves the agency’s North, Central and South Region Design Centers and all six (6) District Offices, Tribal/Local Public Agencies (T/LPA), utility companies, and NMDOT contractors. The position also works directly with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and other federal and state regulatory and land management agencies.
Minimum Qualification

A Bachelor’s degree in any field of study from an accredited college or university and eight (8) years of professional level experience with a light strategic impact directly related to the purpose of the position defined by the agency at the time of recruitment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling twelve (12) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency will designate a portion of the required experience to include management, supervisory and/or specialized experience. Any required licensure, certification or registration shall be defined at the time of recruitment and will be in addition to the above requirements.
Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions

Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Position will require occasional field visits, possible overnight trips, working outside in inclement weather, attending public and legislative meetings, and visiting active construction sites in highway environments.
Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Steven Gisler (505) 795-2661. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.