Government STEM OPT Jobs in New Mexico

INTRODUCTION

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

Our Mission

It is the mission of New Mexico's Department of Wildlife: "To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation that recognizes cultural, historic, and resource values while ensuring public safety."

The Wildlife Management Division is responsible for providing long-term, sustainable management of New Mexico's game species.

Why does the job exist?

The Bird Program Manager is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Department’s avian programs (Migratory Game Bird, Upland Game, and Non-game Bird Programs) and supervision of lead species biologists for those programs. This position will lead those programs through the administration of grant and budgetary components, and the development and execution of research, management actions, and public engagement in the context of biological, social, and political needs. The program manager will work with agency leadership, internal and external partners, and collaborate and delegate to their staff to identify research needs, coordinate monitoring efforts, perform advanced statistical analyses, and ultimately develop conservation and management recommendations for state, federal and international efforts. The program manager provides programmatic direction for employee development, management and research strategies, inter-agency coordination, and threatened and endangered species conservation. This position is the primary biologist responsible for the statewide Migratory Game Bird Program, and will spend some time in the field conducting surveys and monitoring for that program and the other programs they supervise.

How does it get done?

Research and monitoring: Provide programmatic direction through collaboration and delegation to identify data needs, ensure projects have meaningful management implications, and develop and execute statistically robust research and monitoring projects for those species. Analyze population and harvest data to determine population dynamics, spatial ecology and other metrics critical to informing management actions, and draft publications and reports to communicate results from those analyses, to include publication of scientific papers. Collaborate with land management agencies, private landowners, contractors, and universities to implement studies statewide. Research and monitoring activities will include time spent in the field (roughly 20-30% of the year, or up to 4 to 8 days a month, depending on the season) for extended stays.

Supervision: Consistent with State Personnel Office and Department policies and procedures: develop and review employee performance and evaluations, manage employee time sheet and leave balances, oversee vehicle and logistics coordination, coordinate seasonal technician activity, and implement employee growth, development and performance intervention procedures.

Program Administration: Develop, implement, and administer three or more Federal Aid Grants including proper reporting and documentation, identify fiscal requirements annually, develop budget documents as necessary, ensure projects are all within budget, and develop contracts and ensure contractor compliance with all deliverables, ensure employee compliance with State Purchasing procedures.

Conservation and management: Lead Department rule development processes to create and update regulations on hunting and other management activities through the analysis of data, drafting of management recommendations, development of presentations and information for State Wildlife Commission meetings and public meetings, and synthesis of and engagement with public input on those rule proposals. Represent the Department and the State of New Mexico in threatened and endangered species listing and recovery efforts. This position also serves as the Department's technical representative on the Central Flyway Council.

Who are the customers?

The general public, in particular conservationists, sportspersons, and wildlife enthusiasts throughout New Mexico. Other Department of Wildlife staff, including biologists, conservation officers, administrators and support staff. Cooperating agency staff from other state, federal, and non-governmental organizations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of professional level experience operating within parameters and guidelines 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 nine (9) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency will designate a portion of the required experience to include 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

Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. 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 Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions can often be in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines. Work schedules can change to include long hours or weekends to capitalize on opportunities in the field or for travel to meetings. This position has both office and field work elements. While in the office, extended periods will be spent sitting at desks, working on a computer, attending meetings, and talking to the public by telephone and in person. In the field this person will spend extended periods traveling to various locations around the state. The ability to work in inclement weather (hot, cold, rain, snow, etc.) is often required. This person will need physical strength (e.g. carrying/lifting >25lbs) and stamina to hike and work at high elevations and drive 4-wheel drive vehicles over highways and narrow mountainous roads safely. Some work may require the person to ride in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for survey, capture, and other wildlife related work. Field work will require the ability to independently navigate in wilderness setting for extended periods of time. This position requires occasional use of a firearm to deliver immobilization drugs and projecting nets for wildlife capture, euthanizing injured or sick wildlife, collecting animals for research or monitoring, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters. Specific tool use may include GPS, radio telemetry, cameras, spotting scopes, binoculars, capture equipment (such as net guns, mist nets, cage traps), laboratory items (such as centrifuges, syringes, needles, scalpels, microscopes, stethoscopes, thermometers, scissors), and standard construction tools (such as drills, saws, hammers, shovels, wrenches, axes, and chainsaws).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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Nick Forman, Assistant Chief - Wildlife (505) 257-8701 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.