$26.33 - $42.12 Hourly

$54,760 - $87,616 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.

The NM State Land Office was named a Top Workplace in 2023 and 2024 and a National Top Workplace in 2024! To learn more about why the Land Office was voted No. 1 (midsize employers) in New Mexico, and about the great benefits offered by the agency, copy and paste the below link into your browser:
https://www.nmstatelands.org/job-opportunities/

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.

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 conservationist technical staff within the Surface Resources Division and is responsible for the review and analysis of all land use impacts to state trust biological resources. In addition, the position will be responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of habitat restoration and remediation projects. The position will assist in the development of all biological management plans, statewide asset inventories of biological resources, and efforts to improve management and sustainability of wildlife resources. The position will develop biological best management practices and standards as well as conservation measures for species and habitats in sensitive areas and in special management units.

This position works in partnership with district resource managers, ranchers, grazing associations, community groups, sportsmen, conservation districts, non-governmental organizations, and other state and federal agencies to develop collaborative initiatives and to leverage funding opportunities toward landscape level restoration and habitat management.

How does it get done?

The position requires up to a 60/40 division of time between the office and work in the field. Lease application biological reviews are managed through internal Land Office digital workflow systems, with a heavy reliance on ArcGIS and are performed primarily through desktop computer research and analysis. In sensitive areas, desktop review is supplemented with site visits to verify conditions or to collect data. Restoration and remediation projects are developed in the field and in the office in collaboration with partners. The majority of the work is performed independently in consultation with the position's supervisor, or in small teams.

Who are the customers?

Internal: Surface Resources Division; Agricultural Leasing Bureau; Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division; Administrative Services; Commercial Resources Division, including Rights-of-Way, Business Leasing, and the Office of Renewable Energy; Office of General Counsel; and executive management officials in the Office of the Commissioner.

External: New Mexico public schools, universities and hospitals; individuals; general public; lessees (agricultural, oil and gas companies, commercial, rights-of-ways); natural resource authorization users; program enrollees; hunters; other stakeholders; government entities (state, federal, city, county, tribal).

Ideal Candidate

The preferred candidate will have:
- An MS in Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management (or a related degree),
- 2-5 years of related field experience working in the desert Southwest, specifically New Mexico or Arizona
- Excellent communication and research skills
- 2-5 years of experience working with ArcGIS (should be able to collect GIS data, create and manipulate shapefiles, 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 New Mexico Driver's License

Must obtain and maintain a state of New Mexico 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

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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.

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