$25.56 – $40.90 Hourly
$53,165 – $85,064 Annually
This position is a Pay Band 70
Posting Details
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
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Job Opportunities
Why does the job exist?
The core mission of the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) is to responsibly generate revenue through a wide array of leasing activities on state trust lands on behalf of public schools, universities and hospitals. This position is part of the Surface Resource Division and will be part of the team responsible for the development, administration and implementation of range, forest and riparian restoration, remediation, reclamation and improvement projects. This position will work in partnership with specialists, district resource managers, ranchers, grazing associations, community groups, and other state and federal agencies regarding initiatives that include watershed health, rangeland ecology and wildlife management.
This position will serve as lead Rangeland Ecologist at the State Land Office. The position coordinates with NMSLO personnel and other land management agencies to plan, develop and administer a state trust land Rangeland Management Program, improve, protect and sustain rangeland resources for the benefit of public schools, universities and hospitals throughout the state. It provides technical expertise, makes recommendations and serves as the team leader for the management of rangeland resources on state trust lands. It requires coordination and planning with NMSLO personnel, agricultural lessees, State, Federal and local agencies, private sector entities and constituents. It also reviews and evaluates carrying capacity determinations, improvement applications, agricultural lease assignments, and grazing management plans, as needed. It serves as team leader in rangeland improvement projects on state trust lands and serves as team member providing technical assistance to support the efforts of other Project Leaders on Restoration Program projects. The position conducts and oversees rangeland monitoring, trend analysis, and research to advance knowledge, improve on-the-ground management, and protect rangeland resources on state trust lands.
The NM State Land Office has a Non-Emergency Telework Policy, which allows eligible employees to telework up to twenty-four (24) hours a week consistent with the agency’s business needs.
As a valued State Land Office employee, you will receive a hiring bonus of forty (40) hours of leave at your start date to be used at any time. This is in addition to standard leave accrual for employees.
How does it get done?
The position requires a 60/40 division of time between the home office and work in the field. Lease and sublease application reviews for grazing are managed through internal Land Office digital work flow systems, with a heavy reliance on ArcGIS and are performed primarily through desktop computer research and analysis, although some field verification may be required. Rangeland monitoring, trend, and carrying capacity analysis, and research requires a mix of office and field work. Restoration and remediation projects are developed in the field and in the office in collaboration with internal and external partners. This position requires both interdisciplinary teamwork and independent work.
Who are the customers?
Internal: Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Administrative Services; Commercial Division; Legal Division; Surface Division; and executive State Land Office management officials (Office of the Commissioner).
External: Trust beneficiaries; individuals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights-of-ways); natural resource authorization users; program enrollees; hunters; special interest groups; government entities (state, federal, city, county, tribal).
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
– An MS in Rangeland Ecology/Management (or a related degree)
– 2-5 years of related field experience working in the Rocky Mountain west or New Mexico working in rangeland management or ranching, soil and/or vegetation monitoring
– Excellent communication and research skills
– A commitment to both people and ecosystems
– 2-5 years of experience working with ArcGIS (should be able to collect GIS data, create and manipulate shapefiles, create maps, and should understand GIS data management and predictive modeling)
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Range Management, Range Science, Wildlife Biology, Environment Science, Conservation Science, Natural Resources, Watershed Management, Anthropology or Archeology and two (2) years of experience in Forestry or Range Management, Range Science, Wildlife Biology, Environment Science, or Watershed Management, Anthropology or Archeology. Substitutions Apply. See Substitution Table below.
Substitution Table
These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience 1 Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 2 years of experience
• Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.
• If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of “semester hours” in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid NM Driver’s License
Must obtain and maintain a Defensive Driving Certificate
Working Conditions
Work is performed independently in the field and in an office setting with exposure to visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and personal computer and phone usage. Almost daily travel is required for field work with exposure to inclement weather, insects, rodents, snakes and other wild animals. Must be able to work extended hours outdoors. Must be able to hike or walk several miles at a time. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. May be required to work at alternate work sites and attend meetings. This work will include driving a state vehicle and substantial time working independently in consultation with the position supervisor.
Supplemental Information
Benefits:
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Agency Contact Information: Alicia Montaño, (505) 476-4649, 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.