Research Aide V

at  New Mexico Highlands University

Students hired through this posting will support NMHU’s Forest Restoration Triangle Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (FORT CREST) project, housed in NMHU’s Department of Forestry, as well as the related efforts of the New Mexico Reforestation Center. Duties assigned to this position may include both on campus and field assignments that support FORT-CREST and/or New Mexico Reforestation Center objectives and deliverables. Individuals hired under this posting will also have the potential to serve as Reforestation Technicians and Nursery Trainees for the New Mexico Reforestation Center.
The Department of Forestry houses the Forestry and Conservation Management programs. Areas of study focus on the management of forest and rangeland ecosystems, the natural resources and biodiversity they contain, and the ecosystem services they provide. Programs emphasize the sustainable adaptive management of forests and rangeland through the application of ecological principles and knowledge, in conjunction with an understanding of economics, human dimensions, and law and policy. The Department of Forestry offers instructional programs leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Forestry, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Conservation Management, and minors in Wildland Fire and Wildlife Management. The NMHU Forestry program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters and is the only accredited Forestry program in the State of New Mexico.
The Forest Restoration Triangle (FORT) – Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) was created in 2017 with funding from the National Science Foundation as a partnership among three institutions: The Forestry Department at New Mexico Highlands University; the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute (FWRI) at NMHU; and New Mexico State University’s John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center (FRC). Collaborators and various project activities are housed at NMSU’s John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center, UNM’s Department of Biology, and the EMNRD Forestry Division. FORT-CREST, the New Mexico Reforestation Center, and its partners are engaged in research, teaching, outreach, and operational activities focused on forest restoration and reforestation efforts in New Mexico and the greater Southwest designed to maintain and/or restore ecosystem functions in the region’s forests.
General Job Description
Job description may include routine, varied, and moderately complex duties involving a moderate degree of responsibility and judgment. May require previous training or equivalent experience. May direct or coordinate activities of other student employees.

Skills and/or Duties:

• Routine data entry
• Answering phones; greeting customers; taking messages
• Scanning and making copies
• Training new hires
• Managing schedules
• Providing support to students (tutors, peer mentors, orientation leaders)
• Conduct presentations
• Managing confidential information
• Maintain regular attendance
• Perform other job duties as assigned

Specific Duties
Specific duties may include the following:
1. Assisting with CREST and/or New Mexico Reforestation Center research, outreach, and/or operational tasks as needed
2. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support project needs, including study area identification and characterization.
3. Assist with building collaborative networks and work capacity with the natural resource management agencies and stakeholder communities in the project areas.
4. Explore the development of educational plans based on forest ecology and management for delivery to K-12 schoolchildren, high schools, and educators.
5. Receiving training in and/or studying practices, procedures, and equipment related to reforestation, including seed collection, seed processing, seed storage, all aspects of nursery production practices, tree seedling planting practices, and tree reproductive biology
6. Scouting for and assessing maturity of tree seed crops, as well as identification and geolocation of prospective mother trees to be targeted for seed collection
7. Collecting and processing tree seed, using safe tree climbing practices (training provided) or other means as appropriate
8. Performing routine reforestation nursery tasks, including but not limited to preparing containers for sowing. mixing media, sowing seeds, irrigation, fertilization, cleaning equipment and greenhouse facilities, general maintenance of reforestation equipment and facilities
9. Assisting with preparation and delivery of reforestation training events and associated curricula
10. Assisting with data collection and management, including recording detailed field observations and notes
11. Assisting with summarization of data, interpretation of data, and preparation of reports
12. Assisting with assigned tasks on field research projects, including site preparation and maintenance activities
13. Traveling as needed to support assigned CREST and related NM Reforestation Center activities
14. Maintaining good relations and communications with collaborating personnel and entities
15. Engage in Forestry student mentoring activities and promotion of the Forestry Program/Club
16. Attend online trainings and workshops related to project-specific research tasks
17. Available to work at either NMHU’s Las Vegas main campus or NMSU’s John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center as needed, with both locations considered primary duty locations; a university vehicle may be available to provide transportation between the NMHU main campus and the Forestry Research Center
18. Other related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• College student at NMHU enrolled with a minimum of six (6) credit hours
• High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• No experience to some clerical/office experience

Preferred Qualifications
Students currently enrolled in the B.S. in Forestry or B.A. in Conservation Management programs will be preferred. Individuals with prior experience in field research, technical tree climbing, seed collection, seed processing, nursery production environments, and/or tree planting will be preferred. Current NMHU defensive driver training is preferred, but training will be provided if needed.

Physical Demands

• Lifting a minimum of 30 pounds – Occasionally
• Standing – Frequently
• Walking – Frequently
• Bending – Frequently
• Squatting – Frequently
• Climbing – Occasionally
• Kneeling – Frequently
• Repetitive hand motion – Frequently
• Sitting – Frequently
• Prolonged use of computer – Frequently

Hourly Rate $15.00/ Hour Preferred Work Schedule Employment Term Fall - 2024 Work Location/Campus Center Multi Campus/Center Locations
Posting Detail Information

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS SUMMARY

The Highlands Career Services Center, located in the Felix Martinez Building, Room 230, provides assistance with your on-campus job application, cover letter, resume, interviewing strategies, as well as offer suggestions on student jobs that are related to your academic major, career interests, and skills. The Career Center offers free services to all NMHU students and alumni via in-person, online at www.nmhu.edu/careerservices, or by calling (505) 454-3048 or emailing careerservices@nmhu.edu. to schedule a phone session or Zoom video conferencing session.

• Routine data entry
• Answering phones; greeting customers; taking messages
• Scanning and making copies
• Training new hires
• Managing schedules
• Providing support to students (tutors, peer mentors, orientation leaders)
• Conduct presentations
• Managing confidential information
• Maintain regular attendance
• Perform other job duties as assigne