JOB DESCRIPTION

Acequia Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Specialist

Position Reports To:     Director of Policy and Planning

FLSA Status:                Non-Exempt

NMAA Status:              Temporary, Part-Time/ Full-time

Duration:                      March 15, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Adopted:                      March 1, 2026

The New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA) is seeking one or more Acequia Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Specialists to support the Team in providing direct assistance to acequias applying for infrastructure funding and recovering from disasters. This person will assist acequias with navigation of state and federal funding sources for acequia infrastructure and disaster recovery. Relevant agencies include New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC), Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and local government.  This unique position requires someone with relevant experience with acequia infrastructure, proficiency in navigating state and federal funding programs, and the ability to collaborate effectively with local acequias and agency officials. This position reports directly to the Director of Policy and Planning and supports a broad range of activities related to acequia disaster recovery, infrastructure, watershed recovery, and governance.

This position will coordinate statewide efforts to work with acequias to improve/restore infrastructure, navigate the disaster recovery process, apply for disaster recovery funding, and complete outreach to make acequias aware of these opportunities. This position will work closely with the other members of the NMAA team who work on governance and infrastructure to offer acequias comprehensive support. Additionally, this person will participate in the Acequia Governance Project, which provides technical assistance to acequias on a variety of governance issues including water rights, water management, infrastructure, financial compliance and easements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides technical assistance to acequia elected officials with applying to and navigating various disaster recovery funding sources and programs - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC), etc.
• Provides technical assistance to acequia elected officials on preparedness for, application to and implementation of various infrastructure funding sources including the Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund (ACDIF), Capital Outlay, and other state, federal, and local sources.
• Conducts on-site acequia disaster assessments/reports, collection of GIS data, and other duties in the field.
• Provide reports, maps, and other documentation needed in the disaster recovery process.
• Participates in workshop coordination for disaster recovery and infrastructure related workshops.
• Writes material for educational brochures, newsletters, articles, and other publications.
• Assists with documentation and record keeping on the services provided to acequias for the preparation of reports for agencies and funders.
• Attending staff meetings and team meetings and assisting with other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• College degree in relevant field or the equivalent of experience.
• Experience and knowledge of NM acequia communities, their culture, and issues related to water and agriculture.
• Knowledge and willingness to receive training regarding laws, rules, and regulations governing NM acequias.
• Knowledge and willingness to receive training on various Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Conflict resolution skills and the ability to interact effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• English-Spanish bilingual ability is strongly desirable.
• Ability to both work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work flexible hours and weekends during peak activities.
• Ability to hike and navigate rough terrain.
• Good computer skills and experience with Word, Excel, Google Mail, and various databases.

Additional Information

• Requires hybrid work, with a need to attend in person meetings and site visits, along with availability to work from home and or from our Santa Fe Office.
• Requires in-state travel to acequia communities.
• Requires sitting at a computer for 4 to 8 hours per day.
• The position may require walking on site visits over uneven terrain, lifting boxes or containers of equipment or materials, and working outside in the elements in unpredictable weather.

Compensation

• Starting salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Includes benefit package that includes health insurance, retirement plan, vacation days, and other benefits.

Application Process

• Please send a cover letter and resume detailing qualifications for this position along with three professional references to Vidal Gonzales, Director of Policy and Planning at vidal@lasacequias.org.
• Interviews with qualified candidates will begin on March 16, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates selected for interview may be required to submit a writing sample.

NMAA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse, respectful, and collaborative work environment.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Acequia Technical Assistance Provider

Position Reports To:     Staff Attorney

FLSA Status:                Non-Exempt

NMAA Status:              Temporary, Part-Time/ Full-time

Duration:                      March 2, 2026 – June 30, 2026

Adopted:                      January 22, 2026

Position Summary:

The Acequia Technical Assistance Provider is a temporary position that is either part-time or full-time. The primary responsibilities of the position are to assist the Acequia Governance Team and the Acequia Infrastructure Team in providing acequias with services relating to water rights, infrastructure, disaster recovery, and governance as well as to conduct statewide outreach to acequias. This position would also be required to carefully keep records of hours worked and description of work accomplished in addition to generating reports for funding sources.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Respond to requests for acequia consultations on water rights, governance, infrastructure, and disaster recovery as well as to requests to attend acequia and community meetings.
• Work as part of a team to respond to requests for assistance and collaborate on solutions to challenges facing acequias.
• Conduct field work with acequias and parciantes as needed, attend and give presentations for workshops and meetings as needed.
• Carefully log all work with acequias using NMAA case management system and databases.
• Other duties as delegated by the NMAA.

Qualifications:

• College degree in relevant field or the equivalent of experience.
• Experience and knowledge of NM acequia communities, their culture, and issues related to water and agriculture.
• Knowledge and willingness to receive training regarding laws, rules, and regulations governing NM acequias.
• Knowledge and willingness to receive training on various Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Conflict resolution skills and the ability to interact effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• English-Spanish bilingual ability is strongly desirable.
• Ability to both work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work flexible hours and weekends during peak activities.
• Ability to hike and navigate rough terrain.
• Good computer skills and experience with Word, Excel, Google Mail, and various databases.

Additional Information

• Requires hybrid work, with a need to attend in person meetings and site visits, along with availability to work from home and or from our Santa Fe Office.
• Requires in-state travel to acequia communities.
• Requires sitting at a computer for 4 to 8 hours per day.
• The position may require bending and lifting materials up to 35lbs and occassional use of stairs to access downstairs office space.

Compensation

• Starting salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave. As an employee all payroll taxes are included.

Application Process

• Please send a cover letter and resume detailing qualifications for this position along with three professional references to Paula Garcia, Executive Director, paula@lasacequias.org.

NMAA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse, respectful, and collaborative work environment.