Program Specialist II – US CLIVAR Project Office

Location: Remote or onsite in Washington, DC

Application deadline: Tuesday, November 30th

Type: Full time, exempt.

Position Term: 1 year w/possible extension.

Relocation: No relocation assistance is available for this position.

Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa to fill this position.

Salary:
Hiring Range: $65,006 – $81,258
Full Salary Range: $65,006 – $105,635

Benefits: UCAR affirms its continuing commitment to developing, providing, and administering its employee benefit programs with due consideration for equal employment opportunity and diversity guidelines. UCAR’s rich package of employee benefits includes medical, dental, vision, education assistance, retirement, and life insurance. UCAR offers a variety of programs designed to assist with work-life balance including flexible work alternatives, paid time off and 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

Vaccine Requirements: As required by Executive Order 14042, all Federal Contractor employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. Effective immediately, UCAR requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated prior to entering on duty, subject to such exceptions as required by law.

If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by December 8, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with UCAR, if after December 8, 2021. UCAR will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of UCAR a legally required exception from this requirement.

Where You Will Work:

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and various UCAR Cooperative Programs (UCP) – all in service of advancing knowledge, providing community-based resources, and building human capacity in atmospheric and related sciences.

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.

What You Will Do:

This position within the US Climate Variability and Predictability (US CLIVAR) Project Office has primary responsibility for supporting a one-year study to develop a strategy for observing, understanding, and modeling of the role of air-sea interactions in Earth system predictability. The Program Specialist will provide organizational support to enable the work of a newly formed US CLIVAR study group on the air-sea transition zone and related activities, will coordinate with other organizations and programs nationally and internationally, and help develop and delivery useful communication providing timely information on the US CLIVAR study and related activities.

The Project Office is staffed and operated through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS). 

Responsibilities:

Organizational Support of Program Planning and Implementation

• Supports meetings and activities of the US CLIVAR Air-Sea Transition Zone Study Group in developing a well-defined strategy to advance observing and modeling capabilities and understanding of air-sea interaction across scales to harness Earth system predictability.
• Conducts background research and keeps apprised of scientific and programmatic developments nationally and internationally to benefit planning, implementation, and communication efforts for US CLIVAR air-sea activities.
• Enables meetings of planning and implementation bodies—Schedules, arranges logistics, contributes to and confirms agenda, disseminates information materials, and drafts discussion summaries in support of teleconferences and meetings of the US CLIVAR Air-Sea Transition Zone Study Group as well as relevant Working Groups and Workshop Organizing Committees.
• Engages scientific leadership in planning, organizing, publicizing, and communicating results of US CLIVAR-sponsored science meetings and workshops.
• Engages the US CLIVAR participating agencies to identify and announce relevant funding opportunities and to collate an updated inventory of CLIVAR-related agency activities and publications.
• Maintains and updates US CLIVAR group elists and shared drives to facilitate ongoing communication within the supported groups.

Communications:

• Produces and distributes US CLIVAR reports related to air-sea activities—Compiles, edits, formats layout, publishes, and promotes study team, working group, and workshop reports and white papers.
• Contributes information items for the monthly US CLIVAR electronic news-gram—Identifies relevant and timely content including community developments, upcoming meetings, and opportunities of interest to the research community related to air-sea interaction science in the US and internationally.
• Provides content for the Communications Manager to include on the US CLIVAR website and social media, written to engage and inform diverse audiences on science foci, research advances, program organization, publications, events, and opportunities.
• Develops and maintains materials for presentations on science and program activities for audiences ranging from scientists, funding agency officials, and other research programs.

The above statements describe the primary work being performed.  Additional tasks may be assigned from time to time.

What You Need:

Education and Years of Experience

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in oceanography, atmospheric science, earth system science, or a related field, and at least two years of relevant program experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience (such as a Master’s degree and one year of experience).

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Experience in physical climate research with emphasis on air-sea interactions
• Skill in using software applications, including web conferences, shared work platforms, publication design, and Microsoft Office product suite

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the principles, concepts, and research approaches addressing air-sea interactions and their role in variability and predictability of the climate system 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical and administrative reports and to give scientifically technical presentations
• Skill in acquiring and synthesizing scientific and programmatic information from a wide range of sources to inform and promote the program for technical and non-technical audiences
• Skill in identifying program opportunities and challenges and devising plans for bridging gaps
• Skill in organizing meetings and summarizing discussion and outcomes
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to handle multiple and diverse tasks with short turnaround and tasks that require long-term planning and sustained implementation
• Ability to communicate and interact with a diverse group of scientists, federal agency managers, and national/international science organizations
• Ability to build partnerships and develop a network of contacts and resources
• Ability to work under pressure, to meet deadlines, and to effectively engage others to do so
• Ability to handle confidential/sensitive information in a manner consistent with UCAR policy, acting with integrity and exhibiting behavior that merits public trust and confidence
• Ability and willingness to travel, as needed

Applicant Notes:

• Please note that while the position description details both minimum requirements as well as desired skills and experience, we want to remind applicants that you do not need to have all the desired skills and experience to be considered for this role. If you have the passion for the work along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest.
• A pre-employment screening is conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, performance records of internal candidates, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records. UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 
• For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, here is the link to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and to the ODEI landing page.

Learn more and apply: https://ucar.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UCAR_Careers/job/US-CLIVAR-Project-Office/Program-Specialist-II_REQ-2021-336-2