Program Coordinator

Department Contact: Wanda Bulger Tamez, (575) 646-2755, wtamez@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Institute for Excellence in Math/Science Education at NMSU is seeking a motivated, organized, and dynamic individual skilled at coordinating multiple working groups to serve as STEM Events Coordinator. Interested applicants can view the application at https://careers.nmsu.edu/jobs/search.

Position Details

Position Title: Program Coordinator

College/Division: College of Hlth, Educ & Soc Trans

Department: 350410-INST FOR EXCEL IN MATH & SCIENCE ED

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $16.83

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: Occasional Weekend and Evenings

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The STEM Events Coordinator for the Institute for Excellence in Math and Science Education oversees the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of high-impact STEM education events across New Mexico. Acting under NMSU institutional guidelines, this role serves as the primary operational lead for flagship regional and statewide programs. The coordinator collaborates extensively with internal university departments, K-12 school districts, state agencies, and external nonprofit advocates like the New Mexico Out-of-School Time (NMOST) network.

Flagship Event Coordination Includes the following
• NM Governor’s STEM Challenge: Manage logistics, school registration, state agency judge coordination, budget, scholarship awards, venue setup, and technology requirements for the annual statewide competition.
• Southwest Regional Science Olympiad: Oversee team registrations, volunteer recruitment, test proctor scheduling, laboratory room bookings, and award ceremony operations on the NMSU campus.
• NMSU Learn-A-Palooza: Lead community-facing public event logistics, coordinate interactive exhibitor booths and student performances, manage crowd flow, and handle marketing assets for campus and community outreach.
• NMOST Statewide Conference Collaboration: Partner with NMOST leadership to co-design, schedule, and execute a multi-day statewide conference, managing shared vendor contracts and registration workflows.

Operational Logistics & Administrative Duties
• Coordinate facility reservations, technical audio/visual configurations, and catering orders through NMSU auxiliary systems.
• Manage event-specific budgets, process vendor purchase orders, and reconcile travel or procurement card expenses according to NMSU business office policies.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student workers, volunteers, and temporary event staff during peak program windows.
• Ensure all events strictly comply with university risk management, campus safety guidelines, and minors-on-campus protection protocols.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
High School diploma + 1 years of relevant experience, or higher degree.

Equivalent Qualifications: 
Associate’s degree in a relevant field and three years of professional experience directly related to event planning, program coordination, or youth-focused educational programming Or
Five years of professional experience related to event planning, program coordination, or youth-focused educational programming.

Preferred Qualifications: 
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Experience working within a higher education system or coordinating large-scale K-12 student competitions.
• Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects involving state government bodies or community networks.
• Strong digital proficiency with event management tools, spreadsheets, and collaborative platforms (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, specialized registration software).
• Exceptional communication skills to engage with diverse audiences ranging from corporate sponsors and government officials to students and teachers.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel statewide as required by event schedules.

Special Certification/Licensure: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.