CPAESS Program Specialist III

Where You Will Work:

At UCAR, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

The Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) serves the Earth system science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees.

Program Location: Silver Spring, MD

*You must reside in the US at the time of employment.

Job Location Type: This position is open to candidates interested in In-Person, Hybrid (combination Remote and Onsite presence), and Fully Remote opportunities.
*Fully Remote employees must reside within the United States, excluding Territories.

Position Type & Term: Full-Time, Regular

Hiring Range: $82,200 - $96,722

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.*

Application Notes:

• Application Deadline: The position will be posted until filled with priority going to applications received by Friday, June 23.

• Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).

• Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR WILL NOT sponsor a work visa (e.g., J-1, H1-B, etc.) for this position.

• Relocation Assistance: No.

• Federal screenings and background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire and must be passed prior to the start date.

Here is a brief outline of what one would expect to be responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provide scientific and programmatic management support to the solicitation, peer review, and selection process for proposals submitted to the ESSM COM program.

• Keep apprised of current scientific research and advances, including assessment of research most needed to advance the field in a useful manner;

• Identify scientific foci for solicitations of new research proposals and oversee peer review and selection process for proposals submitted to the ESSM COM program- for approval;

• Provide critical analysis of scientific content and budgets for proposals;

• Prepare proposal ranking and submit funding recommendations;

• Administer grant actions through the NOAA grants management system; and

• Monitor and maintain progress on supported grant activities through regular communications and interaction with grantees.

Program Planning, Representation, and Outreach

• Contribute towards programmatic plans for ESSM product development in consultation with the federal/extramural community, ESSM Division Chief, and other programs in ESSM, especially in the focus area of developing and improving reference data sets in support of multidisciplinary climate and Earth system research and NOAA services.

• Represent the program in planning activities, and providing information and expertise regarding the COM program area.

• Develop and foster beneficial partnerships with the academic research community, other Federal science and mission agency programs, and international observations, modeling, and societal interactions programs.

• Develop effective relationships and joint activities with other NOAA programs and centers in support of program goals.

• Develop input to an annual Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement.

• Build a broader community interest in the program.

• Recommend project funding allocations for COM Program activities.

• Write documents highlighting the progress and accomplishments of the program.

• Provide general support for all ESSM programs.

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in ocean, climate, or atmospheric science;

• 3 years of relevant project or program management experience;

• Experience working with observational data sets targeting the ocean, and/or other relevant long-term environmental records;

• Or an appropriate combination of education and experience to carry out the duties as assigned.

Desired, but not required:

• PhD in a relevant field.

• Familiarity with ocean, climate, and other assessments.

• Familiarity with the uses of observational data and products in research and/or services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of the principles and concepts of Earth system science, climate observations, climate data records (ocean, atmosphere), climate monitoring, climate modeling, big data analysis, or applications of climate and related data.

• Understanding of and skill in project management, particularly scientific research project management.

• Understanding of and skill with budget and proposal development, implementation, and monitoring

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations, write articles and develop outreach material (including but not limited to materials for websites), with emphasis on communication of technical/scientific material to non-technical audiences.

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to handle multiple and diverse tasks with short turnaround times and tasks that require long-term planning and sustained implementation over the course of a year.

• Strong interpersonal skills in a diverse team environment.

• Strong understanding of the climate community and its stakeholders, particularly in the U.S. and government research programs.

• Ability to work with technologies that enable virtual meetings, telecoms, and telework.

• Ability to independently identify program opportunities and challenges and prepare program strategies to further the needs of the program.

• Ability to understand and interpret scientific findings and to translate these results for comprehension and understanding by diverse audiences.

• Strong understanding of the climate community and its stakeholders, particularly in the U.S. and government research programs.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the and our

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

Inclusive Benefits

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities.

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one.

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions).

• 10 paid holidays each year.

• 10 days of paid sick leave each year.

• 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Backup childcare.

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary.

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost.

• Flexible Work Arrangement (role dependent).

• International remote work could be available for a max of 20 days per calendar year with supervisor approval.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

This position is subject to work location requirements for obtaining access to facilities and research systems. These requirements may include a combination of national security checks, credit checks, fingerprinting, or other security clearance requirements. This position is open to U.S. Citizens and Green Card holders.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer that strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce. UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.

Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.