Vacancy Announcement: Director/State Geologist, New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW MEXICO BUREAU OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY

 

DIRECTOR / STATE GEOLOGIST

 The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources is seeking a new director and state geologist. The director must develop and articulate a forward-thinking vision of bureau programs in applied research and service and embrace a collegial leadership style. The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources is a research and service division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech). Situated in Socorro, NM on the campus of New Mexico Tech, the bureau has served as the state geological survey for 85 years. With close to 60 employees, the organization has a long-standing reputation for excellence in research, service, and outreach. Our mission includes basic research on the geologic framework of the state, with an emphasis on applied geosciences and the state’s geologic resources. We are also tasked with the gathering, preservation, and dissemination of geologic information to the professional geoscience community, state and federal agencies, and the general public. The bureau embraces a strong academic role and supports the university through teaching courses, advising students, and operating world-class analytical laboratories. Also, as a division of the university, the bureau works in collaboration with the other divisions of the university. The position reports directly to the president of the university. Anticipated appointment date is July 1, 2015. Salary: Negotiable.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sustain and enhance the environment for creative research and service at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology in order to meet the mission of the bureau and the needs of the state of New Mexico, New Mexico Tech, and the geoscience community in New Mexico. Provide administrative and scientific leadership in natural resource (energy, water, and minerals) and environmental issues; geosciences data collection and analysis; basic and applied research in the geosciences; and public access to, dissemination of, and archival collection of research results and natural resource data using current and innovative technologies.

• Manage the administrative, personnel, and financial affairs of the bureau. This includes direct supervision of a significant portion of the professional staff, and being proactive in seeking additional non-bureau or external funding to support both new and ongoing programs of the bureau. The director will be responsible for setting funding priorities and establishing strategies to capture current and future geoscience funding opportunities.

• Establish policies that maintain a balance between the broad goals of research and service, while working with state government and university leadership to address the diverse funding needs of the bureau. This includes interacting with staff in the development and review of programs and personnel to insure that the bureau fulfills its broad goals. Both planning and implementation must be consistent with the needs of the state of New Mexico and sensitive to the state’s public policy issues.

• Foster collaborations and positive working relationships with academic departments and divisions of the university, the state legislature, local government, state and federal agencies, the private sector, and the public. Provide leadership and advice for other government bodies regarding resource and environmental policy, and the economic development and management of natural resources.

• Promote and maintain a positive public image for the bureau in both state and national discussions regarding natural resource and earth science issues.

• Maintain an awareness of new and important developments in geosciences research and relevant technologies to anticipate the directions of geosciences research and applications, integrating this knowledge with an understanding of the specific needs of the state and incorporating it into long-term planning.

• As State Geologist, collaborate with other State Geologists in the development of national earth science policies, programs and related issues. The director or an allowed designee serves on various state advisory boards, including the New Mexico Mining Commission, the Water Quality Control Commission, and the Coal Surface Mining Commission.

• Promote dissemination of new geosciences research on New Mexico through peer-reviewed journals, bureau publications and support the growth of the bureau analytical facilities.

• Maintain avenues for outreach through programs that are targeted at a non-technical audience, including the general public and K-12 educators.

• Communicate regularly with bureau staff about budgetary, scientific, and professional issues, including their impact on strategic planning, and maintain an open communication with bureau managers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree and at least fifteen years of professional experience in the geosciences.

• A minimum of ten years of management experience, which must include budgeting, supervision, personnel evaluation, and program development.

• National recognition in a field of geosciences research or management, as demonstrated record of written communication (i.e. peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, proposals), professional service, and scientific leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to work within a university setting with a wide constituency, including division staff, academic faculty, administration, the public, government officials, and the private sector.

• A successful record of obtaining external financial support for research programs through a competitive and merit-based process.

• Ability and experience in dealing effectively with public policy issues, and knowledge of natural resources and environmental issues associated with them.

• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication to both scientific and public audiences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A doctorate in geosciences.

• A notable diversity of both background and experience.

• Service on state, national, and/or international committees and professional associations.

• Knowledge of geology of New Mexico and/or the American Southwest, including an understanding of regional natural resource issues and how they relate to economic development.

• Experience interacting with state and federal agencies and funding institutions.

• Ability and experience dealing effectively with public policy issues in a way that demonstrates a balanced approach toward industry and environmental concerns.

• Experience with outreach programs that are specifically targeted at communicating technical geosciences data to the public at large.

To Apply:

Applicants should submit a resume with supporting materials (including a signed cover application and references) to: Human Resources, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801 (no e-mail applications).

For full consideration, application materials must be received by March 1, 2015.

For more information about the application process, please contact JoAnn Salome in Human Resources at 575-835-5955 (JSalome@admin.nmt.edu). For more information about the position itself, please contact Warren Ostergren, Search Committee Chair, at 575-835-5363 (warreno@nmt.edu).