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NFNM Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute
NM Forest & Watershed Restoration InstituteEnvironmental Conservation

Conservation Specialist

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Work type

Hybrid

Employment

Full Time

Experience

1-2 years

Compensation

$58.7K - $65K per year

Posted

1d ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Conservation Specialist supports long-term community recovery efforts following the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon wildfire by facilitating educational trainings, workforce development, and youth and adult engagement. This role involves implementing FIRENM programming, building landowner networks for stewardship, and managing K-12 outdoor education initiatives.

The Conservation Science Center (CSC), a program of the New Mexico Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute (NMFWRI), seeks a community-focused professional to support long-term recovery following the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire. This position works with the CSC Program Manager to deliver restoration education, workforce development, and community engagement programs for youth, landowners, and local communities across northern New Mexico.

The ideal candidate is passionate about land stewardship, environmental education, community partnerships, and translating ecological science into accessible, hands-on learning experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Education

  • Support implementation of the Fire-Informed Restoration Education for New Mexico (FIRENM) program.

  • Build and strengthen partnerships with landowners, educators, community organizations, and agency partners.

  • Engage landowners in stewardship planning, restoration field sites, citizen science, and community initiatives.

  • Represent CSC at meetings, workshops, and community events.

Youth & Workforce Development

  • Plan and deliver K-12 outdoor education initiatives, including STEM events, outdoor schools, Envirothon, and related programs.

  • Adapt and pilot culturally responsive curricula for youth and adult audiences.

  • Co-develop conservation leadership and workforce development opportunities for students and community members.

Program & Project Support

  • Coordinate workshops, field trainings, and restoration education events.

  • Support citizen science monitoring and restoration demonstration sites.

  • Assist with curriculum development, educational materials, webinars, and field courses.

  • Support grant administration, project tracking, budgets, reporting, and recordkeeping.

  • Maintain Wilderness First Aid certification and participate in field safety training.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

  • Master's degree in Ecological Restoration, Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Wildlife Biology, or a related field; OR a Bachelor's degree with two years of directly related experience.

  • One year of experience in environmental education, community engagement, youth programming, or community advocacy.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Valid driver's license and willingness to travel, including to remote locations.

  • Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred

  • Two years of environmental education or community engagement experience in the Southwest.

  • Experience working with New Mexico landowners and diverse stakeholders.

  • Knowledge of ecological restoration and habitat improvement principles.

Knowledge & Skills

  • Understanding of ecological restoration and conservation science.

  • Experience with outdoor education and curriculum development.

  • Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse communities.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

  • Adaptability, creativity, and strong problem-solving skills.

Work Environment

This position is based at NMFWRI on a regional university campus with fieldwork throughout northern New Mexico. Hybrid work may be available when appropriate. Work is approximately 50% outdoors and 50% indoors and includes walking on uneven terrain, occasional lifting up to 30 pounds, and frequent travel to rural field sites.

Note: Continued employment is contingent upon grant funding.

Updated 1d ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Ecological restoration • 1+ yrs
Curriculum development • 1+ yrs
Community engagement • 1+ yrs
Interpersonal skills • 1+ yrs
Organizational skills • 1+ yrs
Problem-solving • 1+ yrs
Field safety • 1+ yrs
Microsoft Office • 1+ yrs

Experience

1-2 years

Certifications

Wilderness First Aid certification • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$58.7K - $65K per year

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Work typeHybrid
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh9/10
physicalMedium6/10
cognitiveHigh8/10
executionHigh8/10
creativityHigh8/10
uncertaintyMedium6/10
communicationHigh9/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

NM Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute

Team size

Growing team

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

The Conservation Science Center (CSC) is a program within the NM Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute, focused on land stewardship, community advocacy, and engagement. It supports long-term community recovery efforts following the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon wildfire through educational trainings, workforce development, and engaging youth and adult audiences.

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Conservation Specialist

Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFull Time