JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:              Finance Director

Reports To:         Executive Director

Classification:     Full-time, Non-Exempt

Date:                   May 20, 2024

About the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA): The NMAA is a statewide, membership-based association of acequias and community ditches in New Mexico. Our mission is to protect water and acequias, grow food for our families, and honor our cultural heritage. NMAA’s work is rooted in social, environmental, and economic justice.

Position Summary: The NMAA is seeking a person who is passionate about acequias, water, food, and culture to serve as our Finance Director. This position will be responsible for overall financial planning, budget development and monitoring, financial reports and analysis, overall bookkeeping, payroll, oversight of receivables and payables, risk management, and compliance with state and federal tax and legal requirements. The Finance Director will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare the annual budget and prepare budget reports for management and the board of directors.
• Complete reports for compliance with state and federal laws including those required by the Internal Revenue Service, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, New Mexico Workforce Solutions, Office of the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State.
• Coordinate the annual financial audit by an independent certified public accountant and oversee all internal controls.
• Support Executive Director with risk management responsibilities including ensuring that various insurance policies are current and that they provide the appropriate level of coverage.
• Prepare narrative and financial reports for multiple grants and contracts with different reporting periods. This includes substantive work on state contracts and federal grants.
• Manage the procurement process for NMAA and management of contracts for various providers of professional services.
• Support NMAA’s Operations Director and accounting firm to manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll process. Provide support with administering employee benefits and monitoring legal compliance.
• Coordinate with Operations Director to manage a filing system for accounts payable and receivables as well as files for grants, donations, vendors, and contractors.
• Support Executive Director to manage an investment portfolio for NMAA’s reserve funds based on input and guidance from the management and the board of directors.

• Attend staff meetings and team meetings and assisting with other duties as needed.

Requirements:

• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to generate a variety of financial reports. Familiarity with MIP is desirable.
• Experience with financial management and/or bookkeeping for non-profit organizations.

• Degree or training in relevant field, such as business, bookkeeping or finance, is highly desirable. The equivalent of experience will be considered for individuals with extensive experience with non-profit financial management.
• Strong written and communications skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to identify creative solutions to complex problems;
• Good computer skills and experience with Word, Excel, Google Mail, and various databases. Willingness to gain functional proficiency with Powerbase.
• Hybrid work, which includes work from home, work in NMAA’s Santa Fe office, and attendance of in person meetings as needed. Requires sitting at a computer for 4 to 8 hours per day.
• Attend staff meetings and team meetings and assisting with other duties as needed.
• (Preferred) Experience working with nonprofit organizations or associations.

Compensation:

• Salary is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications.
• Includes benefit package that includes health insurance, vision and dental insurance, retirement plan, paid sick and annual leave, and other benefits.

Application Process:

• Please send a cover letter and resume detailing qualifications for this position along with three professional references to paula@lasacequias.org.
• NMAA will conduct interviews with qualified candidates until the position is filled. Candidates selected for interview may be required to submit a writing sample.
• Interviews will be conducted with qualified candidates on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for an interview may be required to submit a writing sample.

NMAA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse, respectful,

and collaborative work environment. We support diversity, equity, inclusion,

and justice in our work and in our workplace.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:           Policy Coordinator

Reports To:       Executive Director

Classification:   Full-time, Non-Exempt

Date Posted:     May 20, 2024

About the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA): The NMAA is a statewide, membership-based association of acequias and community ditches in New Mexico. Our mission is to protect water and acequias, grow food for our families, and honor our cultural heritage. NMAA’s work is rooted in social, environmental, and economic justice.

Position Summary: The New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA) is seeking a Policy Coordinator to develop and implement NMAA’s policy at the local, state, and federal level. This position reports directly to the Executive Director (ED) and supports a broad range of activities including analysis, development of policy recommendations, and policy advocacy.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a minimum of two years professional experience in public policy advocacy, a willingness to take on complex tasks, and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders.

Description of Duties:

• Support Executive Director and NMAA leadership with development and execution of advocacy strategies.
• Provide research, analysis, and draft responses to a range of policy issues impacting NMAA members.
• Track, monitor, and analyze local, state, and federal legislation and administrative rulemaking.
• Develop briefing materials and reports (oral and written) including legislative reports, one-page handouts, and talking points.
• Draft comments, white papers, and other documents in response to key issues.
• Attend and participate in hearings, workgroups, committees, and other meetings as needed.
• Support the NMAA team on grassroots advocacy efforts and stakeholder outreach.
• Coordinate member testimony, legislative visits, and meetings.
• Plan and participate in NMAA events as needed to enhance member education on key issues and NMAA advocacy efforts.
• Attend staff meetings and team meetings and assisting with other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal) and cultural competence.
• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in natural resources, public policy, planning, or related field. Equivalent of experience will be considered for individuals with a strong background in policy advocacy.
• Experience researching, analyzing, and debriefing complex issues. Experience and knowledge of NM acequia communities, their culture, and issues related to water and agriculture.
• Two years minimum experience with the local, state, and federal legislative processes.
• Ability to complete projects efficiently and independently with minimal supervision. Ability to work long hours during legislative sessions and occasional overnight travel as needed.
• Hybrid work, which includes work from home, work in NMAA’s Santa Fe office, and attendance of in person meetings as needed. Requires sitting at a computer for 4 to 8 hours per day. Valid Driver’s License and proof of current automobile insurance. Requires in-state travel to acequia communities.
• Good computer skills and experience with Word, Excel, Google Mail, and various databases.
• (Preferred) Experience lobbying at state or federal level
• (Preferred) Existing relationships with New Mexico legislators and key stakeholders
• (Preferred) Experience working with nonprofit organizations or associations

Compensation:

• Salary is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications.
• Includes benefit package that includes health insurance, vision and dental insurance, retirement plan, paid sick and annual leave, and other benefits.

Application Process:

• Please send a cover letter and resume detailing qualifications for this position along with three professional references to paula@lasacequias.org.
• NMAA will conduct interviews with qualified candidates until the position is filled. Candidates selected for interview may be required to submit a writing sample.
• Interviews will be conducted with qualified candidates on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for an interview may be required to submit a writing sample.

NMAA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse, respectful,

and collaborative work environment. We support diversity, equity, inclusion,

and justice in our work and in our workplace.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:           USDA Program Coordinator

Reports To:       Program Director

Classification:   Full-time, Non-Exempt, June 2024-September 2025 with possibility for extension

Date Posted:     May 20, 2024

About the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA):
The NMAA is a statewide, membership-based association of acequias and community ditches in New Mexico. Our mission is to protect water and acequias, grow food for our families, and honor our cultural heritage. NMAA’s work is rooted in social, environmental, and economic justice.

Position Summary:

This position will support acequia farmers and ranchers to improve their operations (including supporting them to adapt to climate changes, address disasters, and improve on farm infrastructure) by creating access to USDA programs, providing technical assistance, and supporting NMAA’s long time work to engage farmers in peer to peer learning environments. The person in this position will be the lead in implementing many core aspects of our USDA 2501 grant and coordinate with other members of the team to accomplish project deliverables such as (a) providing one-on-one technical assistance to farmers and ranchers on obtaining an FSA tract number; (b) helping farmers apply to NRCS programs for water conservation and soil health, as well as FSA and NRCS disaster programs; (c) coordinating farmer-to-farmer education workshops; (d) tracking program progress; and (e) producing media and storytelling to program document work.

Description of Duties:

• Lead in providing direct technical assistance to help Historically Underserved Farmers & Ranchers to understand, apply for and implement USDA programs.
• Facilitates USDA team meetings and team coordination.
• Acts as liaison between NMAA programs, stakeholders and community members and USDA staff and other agency partners.
• Presents at NMAA USDA workshops, as well as those of partnering agencies on NMAA and agricultural related topics, as directed.
• Represents NMAA interests and/or makes presentations at community and governmental meetings, as directed.
• Identifies and helps to document case studies on USDA related topics in NMAA’s quarterly online newsletter and bi-annual print newsletter, as well as contributing to the creation of other educational materials.
• Assists with monitoring of USDA grant deliverables, and preparation of all required USDA quarterly reports.
• Contributes to data and case management using NMAA database.
• Maintains relevant records of all activities, including technical assistance requests, documentation from workshops (agendas, hand-outs, sign-in sheets) and other pertinent records.
• Provides referrals to community partners, government agencies, and others as appropriate.
• Supports the development and implementation of NMAA Los Sembradores Graduate Support Program.
• Supports the development and implementation of the NMAA Farmer Mentor Program.

• Attend staff meetings and team meetings and assisting with other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal) and cultural competence.
• Degree or training in relevant field. Equivalent of experience will be considered for individuals with a strong background in community-based education and technical assistance.

• Experience and knowledge of NM acequia communities, culture, and issues related to agriculture, acequias, and water.
• Knowledge and willingness to receive training regarding laws, rules, and regulations governing NM acequias, USDA programs, and other related programs and policies.
• Conflict resolution skills and the ability to interact effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds.

• Ability to complete projects efficiently and independently with minimal supervision. Ability to work long hours during peak activities and occasional overnight travel as needed.
• Hybrid work, which includes work from home, work in NMAA’s Santa Fe office, and attendance of in person meetings as needed. Requires sitting at a computer for 4 to 8 hours per day. Valid Driver’s License and proof of current automobile insurance. Requires in-state travel to acequia communities.
• Good computer skills and experience with Word, Excel, Google Mail, and various databases.

• (Preferred) Bilingual speaker English/Spanish.
• (Preferred) Experience working with nonprofit organizations or associations

Compensation:

• Salary is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications.
• Includes benefit package that includes health insurance, vision and dental insurance, retirement plan, paid sick and annual leave, and other benefits.

Application Process:

• Please send a cover letter and resume detailing qualifications for this position along with three professional references to paula@lasacequias.org.
• NMAA will conduct interviews with qualified candidates until the position is filled. Candidates selected for interview may be required to submit a writing sample.
• Interviews will be conducted with qualified candidates on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for an interview may be required to submit a writing sample.

NMAA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse, respectful,

and collaborative work environment. We support diversity, equity, inclusion,

and justice in our work and in our workplace.