Research Scientist 1

Natural Heritage New Mexico (NHNM) is a program of the Museum of Southwestern Biology, in the UNM Biology Department. We have one full-time position open for a Research Scientist 1 with an emphasis in vegetation mapping using GIS, plant identification, vegetation sampling, soils/geomorphology/hydrology description, database management, and data analysis.

The position will involve both digital vegetation mapping and field collection of vegetation and soils data. Vegetation mapping will focus on quality control of digital mapping products using imagery and other available spatial datasets with ArcGIS. Duties will require recognition of vegetation patterns, including familiarity with common New Mexico plant communities, and the ability to edit and manipulate feature classes using ArcGIS software. The field portion of the job will include leading field crews of two or more people to collect vegetation and soils data as part of ongoing vegetation ecology research and mapping projects. Duties will include plant sample collection and vegetation plot data, field descriptions, determining locations with GPS, field plot photography, data entry, data entry management, data quality control, and assistance with data analysis and report production. Applicant must have a working knowledge of the Flora of New Mexico, be able to identify plants in the field and the herbarium using a dichotomous key and have experience using ESRI ArcGIS Pro and MS Access for data management and analysis.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check. Additional health screenings may be required, dependent on the nature of the research conducted, as determined by Employee Occupational Health Services.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; no previous experience required.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• B.S. degree in Biology or a related field, with an emphasis in ecology.
• Familiarity with New Mexico Flora.
• Experience using ArcGIS Pro software and other spatial analysis software.
• Vegetation community mapping and classification.
• Experience in field ecological data collection.
• Experience with data entry and database management with MS Access.
• Ability to hike and work outside for days at a time.

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Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.