Research Scientist, Assc to develop and assess alternative regional water management strategies in the face of drought

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM, USA 🇺🇸

Position Title: Research Scientist, Assc

Employee Classification: Research Scientist,Assc

College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED

Department: 470500-WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Internal or External Search: External – Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is seeking a Research Scientist Associate position to serve as a community liaison who will collaborate with agricultural communities to develop and assess alternative regional water management strategies in the face of drought.

Classification Summary:
Independently employs a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures in a particular field of specialization to plan, design, and conduct research and present findings. Carries out novel or complex assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures. May act in a liaison capacity with various department, divisions, and organizations.

Classification Standard Duties:
Designs and implements research protocols and projects; applies advanced analytical techniques and the modification and extension of theories and practices in innovative research projects in field of specialty; develops statistical and observational models. Operates and maintains sophisticated equipment to conduct research, analyze data, and report research findings; may instruct others in use of equipment. Applies diversified knowledge of scientific research principles, practices, and protocols in research projects; may make recommendations and conclusions which serve as the basis for decision making in a specialty area. Collaborates with users and principal investigators on design, analysis, application, and reporting of research projects; teaches and advises on techniques. Supplies technical leadership and consultation to professional co-workers, collaborators, and graduate students. Prepares analyses, reports, and other documentation for publication; presents findings at local, national, and/or international meetings. Prepares grant proposals to obtain funding in support of research activities.Serves as principal investigator, as appropriate, on sub-projects of complexities consistent with above criteria. May manage or oversee a research laboratory; may curate a research collection. Maintains currency of knowledge with respect to relevant state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and/or systems.Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor’s degree in a related field.; Required Experience:Five(5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge of current technological developments/trends in area of expertise. Comprehensive knowledge of engineering, scientific, and/or mathematical concepts and theories in area of specialty. knowledge of contracts and grants preparation and management. Knowledge of engineering and/or scientific research principles, practices, and protocols. Knowledge of research methodology, principles and procedures.;

SKILLS:Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Skill in educating others in research methods and techniques in area of expertise.;

ABILITIES:Ability to utilize advanced computer statistical and technical applications. Ability to use independent judgment to adapt and modify research concepts and approaches to specific projects. Ability to provide technical guidance and leadership to professional personnel in area of expertise. Ability to develop and deliver presentations. Ability to develop scientific reports and manuscripts based on original research. Ability to utilize and maintain advanced scientific equipment and facilities. Ability to utilize advanced analytical techniques and programs to develop scientific models.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is seeking a Research Scientist Assc. position to serve as a community liaison who will collaborate with agricultural communities to develop and assess alternative regional water management strategies in the face of drought. The applicant selected for hire will contribute to advancing the science needed to identify pathways to agricultural and water resilience.

The Research Scientist Assc. will work closely with the team and communities with primary responsibilities to co-develop alternative water management strategies and characterize the combination of strategies to achieve community-defined resilience, participate in the needs and capacity assessment for agricultural stakeholders of the region, and collect data on regional conditions.

These responsibilities include assisting and collaborating with the team and taking leadership of some or all of the following components of the work:

Leading the development of the overall analysis and managing the project grant timeline of the deliverables; collaborating with community members to develop alternative water management scenarios; designing a plan with the team and collecting information to apply analytical techniques to characterize the existing regional collaborations and potential pathways and support needed to identify and implement alternative scenarios; performing analyses and syntheses of ethnographic interviews and focus group content conducted by a postdoc member of the team; guiding the modeling team to understand the findings so that they may be incorporated into the project models; helping to develop visualization tools to assist in understanding the process and analysis.

Performing specialized research in one area of the project relevant across all sites; developing a social network analysis to understand existing and potential social structures and collaboration; conducting spatial ecological analysis, particularly the ability to process and analyze geospatial data in ArcMap and/or ArcPro; compiling and verifying data; maintaining basic metadata; making maps; and working with remote sensing data.

Assessing the effects of alternative strategies on the major water budget components using water budget analysis and creating a hydrologic model accessing the effects of the alternative strategies on surface flows, inundation, and sediment transport.

Mentor and supervise graduate students.

Publish results in peer-reviewed academic journals and develop materials for reports and presentations to provide project results to partners and stakeholders.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Expertise in water management, community and regional planning, geography, and/or hydrology.
Must be able to obtain an NMSU driving permit within 30 days of employment.
Must be able to travel occasionally to field sites to install and/or troubleshoot equipment.
Work a standard schedule of hours between Monday-Friday, 8-5 (occasionally may change slightly depending on business needs).

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Carolina Mijares, 646-4337, nmwrri@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures. 

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Main Campus
Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University’s 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College
Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

Alamogordo Campus
Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus
NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement
NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.


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