Mechanical Technician Senior

• 503616
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Jun 19 2026 - 23:55 MDT

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Department Contact: Samantha Lish, 575-646-1726, slish@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Jornada Experimental Range is seeking applicants for a Mechanical Tech, Sr to support Range Staff as well as faculty/staff managing field sites by maintaining vehicles, equipment (including research equipment), and range facilities and tools.

Position Details

Position Title: Mechanical Technician Senior

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317250-JORNADA EXPER RANGE HEADQUARTERS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $25.56

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule

Job Duties and Responsibilities: ** THIS POSITION IS ONE YEAR APPOINMENT WHICH MAY BE EXTENDED; CONTIGENT UPON EXTERNAL FUNDING**

Performs general maintenance and repair of facilities that support livestock research including corrals, fences, wells, pipelines, troughs, solar pumping systems, etc.

Performs rangeland management practices, ranch livestock facility repair and maintenance. Maintain and repair pens, corrals, and barbed wire fencing. Knowledgeable in the equipment and tools required to perform these duties. Design and fabricate tools and equipment together to have an item that fits in the projects/field study needs.

Keeps vehicles and equipment available for use by inspecting and completing preventive maintenance and preforming repairs as needed. Vehicles and equipment include small, air-cooled engines, trucks, ATVs/UTVs, and heavy equipment with diesel engines and hydraulics.

Inventory maintenance of parts and supplies so faculty and staff are aware of what is being used and what is available.

Performs general facility and building maintenance such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, and electrical work carried out in this position are less than journeyman work and are concerned with the more routine maintenance and repair of the facility buildings and infrastructure.

Maintain several miles of dirt and gravel roads by use of a motor grader and other heavy road equipment and machinery.

Assist with the maintenance and repairs of water wells located in various areas of the Jornada Experimental Range.

Operates various hand tools and power tools. Operates small and heavy equipment to include bobcat, backhoe, trencher, tractor, road grader, etc.

Maintenance of fleet fuel distribution equipment, calculating fuel needs and storage, and completing fuel usage records.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

High School diploma + 4 years of relevant experience or an Associate’s

Degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with range/ranch maintenance tasks

Knowledge of vehicles and heavy equipment to include operation, preventive maintenance and repair.

Knowledge of maintenance and repair for buildings, corrals, roads, and fences

Knowledge of routine electrical repair and plumbing

Knowledge of welding, metal working, and fabrication

Knowledge in handling livestock in small areas, feeding and proper methods of moving livestock.

Ability to motivate, train, and work effectively with subordinates.

Ability to communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan and organize work activities effectively. Ability to read and interpret construction and field research plans.

Ability to adjust work operations to meet emergencies without compromising quality of work

Willingness and ability to learn and attend training courses.

Ability to work outdoors during hot or cold, windy weather.

Special Certification/Licensure

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves almost constant exposure to unusual elements: i.e. extreme temp, toxic chemicals, biohazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, other potentially dangerous materials/situations that require safety precaution/protective equip

Physical Effort: Considerable physical activity. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU _Global Campus

_Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

_NMSU Main Campus

_Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

_Doña Ana Community College

_Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

_Alamogordo Campus

_Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

_Grants Campus

_NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.