New Mexico Highlands University Hiring for Budget and Finance Manager at New Mexico, United States Full Time

Position Information

Position
Budget and Finance Manager

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Job Type
Regular

Position Summary

The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute ( FWRI )
seeks a financial management professional to administer the budget
of a dynamic, growing institute dedicated to forest conservation,
located on the campus of a public university. Working with the FWRI
Director and program managers, the Budget and Finance Manager is
primarily responsible for planning, managing, and assessing all
aspects of the institute’s budgets in support of the FWRI’s
mission. Specific responsibilities include identifying costs
associated with programs and projects, assessing and tracking
expenditures against annual budgets, working closely with campus
administrative departments, maintaining contact with external
partners, and assisting program managers with all financial and
administrative paperwork, ensuring it is accurate and submitted in
a timely manner. We welcome applications from candidates who
demonstrate solid accounting skills, good financial judgment and
proficiency in managing and balancing several accounts
concurrently, knowledge of current rules, policies and techniques
in financial management, and the ability to work effectively as
part of a team.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Work with the FWRI Director to develop a budget to accompany the
FWRI’s annual work plan, and prepare all necessary reports for
budget development and approval
· Create ledgers and maintain financial records and an organized
budget
· Work closely with all funds attached to the FWRI annual federal
work plan and state Research and Public Service Projects
requirements, with funds attached to all programs of the FWRI and,
when appropriate, with funds attached to contractors, partnering
organizations, the CREST grant and the Conservation Science Center,
to monitor, reconcile and assist with fiscal administration,
financial obligations, compliance and fiscal planning
· Balance all funds and run yearly and monthly opening and closing
processes
· Monitor and audit all financial transactions for policy
compliance
· Coordinate the annual audit process and prepare annual financial
reports, as well as any additional financial reporting to HU and
cooperating agencies
· Create and modify personnel forms as necessary to keep payroll
processes updated, and work with the Highlands University (HU)
Human Resources Department to create the documents necessary for
new positions and to manage personnel forms
· Review and make appropriate recommendations to ensure that FWRI
policies, procedures, protocols and practices are in compliance
with HU, state and federal rules and regulations
· Keep current with all policies, procedures and technologies
relevant to successfully completing the work of the FWRI Budget and
Finance Manager; this may require attending meetings, workshops,
webinars and other training activities, and reporting current
information from trainings to FWRI staff
· Research information, compile statistics, and gather and compute
various data in order to prepare special and/or one-time budget and
financial reports, summaries, or replies to inquiries, selecting
relevant data from various sources
· Make purchases for the FWRI using an HU-issued purchasing card,
report purchases on associated financial forms, and maintain
records of purchases responsibly
· Maintain good working relationships with directors and staff of
all relevant HU administrative units, including the HU Grants
Office, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing, and
Human Resources, and represent the FWRI positively in interactions
with administrators
· Supervise Administrative staff employed as administrative
assistants and student workers who assist with office
operations
· Serve on FWRI committees, including the Leadership Team, and
contribute to policy development
· Represent the FWRI on outside committees with partners and
affected entities, and report back to the FWRI staff on decisions
and activities of these groups
· Maintain regular, on-time attendance
· Perform additional duties as assigned by the FWRI Director

Minimum Job Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate the following characteristics:
· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or
Accounting
· Experience: Two years’ experience directly related to the
duties and responsibilities described above

Preferred Qualifications

Highly desirable candidates can demonstrate the following
characteristics:
· Education: Masters degree in Business or Public
Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a closely related
field
· Experience: Budgeting, accounting, administering complex
operations
· Experience: Interest in and knowledge of forest and
watershed restoration and environmental issues

Special Conditions for Eligibility

· Must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s
license
· Must be willing to occasionally work overtime, weekends,
evenings, and odd hours, as required
· Must be willing to travel if necessary
· Continued employment is contingent on grant funding

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Excellent computing skills, and knowledge of programs including
MS Office and Excel
· Ability to work effectively and productively as a member of a
team and with coworkers with diverse skills and backgrounds
· Good time management skills and ability to prioritize and respond
to requests appropriately
· Ability to achieve goals and independently undertake and complete
tasks with minimum direct supervision
· Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in
conversation and in writing
· Knowledge, familiarity and experience in New Mexico

Physical Demands

· Sitting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frequently
· Standing: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frequently
· Walking:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frequently
· Bending:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occasionally
· Squatting:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occasionally
· Climbing:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occasionally
· Kneeling:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occasionally
· Lifting up to 20 pounds:. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occasionally
· Lifting greater than 20 pounds:. . . . . . . Seldom

Working Environment

Work is performed in an office on the campus of a regional public
university. The possibility for hybrid work combining office and
telework exists, if appropriate.
The mission of the FWRI is to promote practices that advance
adaptive management, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and
improve ecosystem function. The Budget and Finance Manager supports
FWRI’s work in monitoring, geospatial information systems,
collaboration, outreach and ecological restoration. The FWRI is one
of three Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes ( SWERI ),
with partner institutes in Arizona and Colorado, and collaborates
in the Forest Restoration Triangle ( FORT ) with the NMHU Forestry
Department, the only SAF -accredited forestry department in New
Mexico, and with the New Mexico State University John T. Harrington
Lab in Mora, NM. The FWRI partners with various public agencies and
private organizations and serves affected entities in communities
around New Mexico.
The FWRI is located on the campus of Highlands University in
historic Las Vegas, NM. Highlands University, a Hispanic Serving
Institution, offers a comprehensive education to a diverse student
body, and Highlands faculty are actively involved in research,
service and outreach. Las Vegas is located at the foot of the
picturesque Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and offers small-town
charm, a healthy environment and abundant year-round outdoor
recreation opportunities in nearby national forests, state parks,
and wildlife refuges. Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, is an easy
60-minute drive to the west, and Taos and Albuquerque can be
reached in less than two hours.

Pay Rate
$51,600 – $65,600 depending on qualifications and
experience

Work Location/Campus Center
Las Vegas, NM Campus

EEO Statement

New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, 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. We are committed to the University values of diversity,
accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.

For disabled access or services call 505-454-3242 or email
[email protected]

Visit the link below for more information regarding affirmative
action and equal opportunity:

Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
AS664P

Open Date
10/17/2022

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link
https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/postings/7987

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter/ Letter of Interest
3. Unofficial Transcripts Conferring Required Degree
4. Letter(s) of Recommendation
5. Curriculum Vitae
6. List of Three Professional References with Name, Address and
   E-Mail

Optional Documents