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Wetlands Restoration specialist Playa Lakes Joint Venture Location: central-eastern New Mexico $65,000-$75,000 + benefits First review of applicants: March 22, 2024 https://pljv.org/about/jobs/ The…
click to continue reading ExpandThe role of the New Mexico Wetlands Restoration Specialist is to conduct outreach to landowners and managers on the benefits of playas and other wetlands, and facilitate wetlands restoration work in eastern New Mexico. Primary funding will come from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), with additional non-federal funding from private sources. This position focuses on the New Mexico portion of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) region.
The position requires coordination among private, local, state, and federal agencies, and as such, the incumbent needs to be a team leader as well as team participant. Day-to-day work consists of working with landowners, PLJV staff from various disciplines (conservation delivery, GIS, biological science, communications, and social science) and local, state, and regional partners to accomplish bird habitat conservation. The eastern NM Wetlands Restoration Specialist work will be instrumental in developing municipal water and aquifer conservation strategies.
Major Duties
- Collaborate and work with other PLJV staff that will support this position with communications, outreach, GIS, social science, and biological science.
- Collaborate with local conservation partnerships and other partners to pursue playa conservation projects within eastern New Mexico.
- Present conservation programs and their benefits to playa owners. Identify landowners willing to restore playa lakes and associated grasslands on their property.
- Assist in identifying and prioritizing restoration sites, and contracting for restoration.
- Coordinate on final site selection, including conducting site visits, as necessary.
- Develop playa lake and grassland restoration prescriptions and associated project budgets.
- Design and implement wetland and associated grassland restoration projects.
- Document project work during implementation and closeout.
- Maintain close communication with partners
- Identify people, organizations and contractors to implement restoration activities, help maintain landowner files.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Ability to build and establish relationships with private, municipal, state and federal landowners and managers.
- Demonstrated track record of working with producers, both farmers and ranchers.
- High level skills in oral and written communication and the ability to communicate with both technical, management, and lay audiences.
- Ability to be a self-starter and a team player.
- Ability to travel to attend state and local partner meetings.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Working knowledge of the Farm Bill and the various programs within FSA and NRCS may be used for wetland conservation.
- Understand the wetland and grassland conservation networks in New Mexico.
- Current knowledge of (or the ability to learn quickly) the functions and values of wetlands and grasslands, within eastern New Mexico.
- Experience with wetland restoration projects.
Other Requirements/Physical Demands
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
- This position may need to conduct off-site meetings and evaluations that may include traversing wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces in hot, cold, dry, or humid environments.
Salary, Benefits, and Start Date
This is a full-time position. Starting salary is commensurate with education, experience, and location with an expected range of $65,000-$75,000. PLJV offers a generous benefits package, including employer-paid health coverage (medical, dental, and vision), HSA with annual contributions to defray medical deductibles, and a 7% match on salary toward our retirement plan. We anticipate this position will begin working no later than June 1, 2024.
Job Location
The job will be located in an area that facilitates ease of travel within central-eastern New Mexico (preferably Clovis, Roswell, or Tucumcari). Priority will be given to candidates currently living or willing to live in this area.
To Apply
Playa Lakes Joint Venture is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse applicant pool. All applications should include a a one-page cover letter, resume, and three professional references. Please email your application documents as one complete PDF file to [email protected]. In the cover letter, please include salary requirements, available start date and desired location. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; evaluations will begin on March 22.