CPAESS Program Specialist I at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Job Description Summary:UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Program Specialist I role with the Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) working with NOAAs Climate Adaptation Program (CAP/RISA). This position is responsible for monitoring project progress working with Team staff to help organize and facilitate Team activities supporting proposal review panels by organizing information and supporting the post-panel review process. This position will also assist with the organization and coordination of communications materials work with CAP/RISA staff to integrate research and support cross-network communities of practice through organizing meetings. 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.Position Details: Visa Sponsored Job:NoRelocation Assistance Eligible:NoJob Location: Silver Spring MarylandPosition Type & Term:Full time Term - less than 6 months (Fixed Term)Compensation Min - Mid Range:$53694 - $67118*Final salary and rates are based on education experience and skills relevant to the role.*Application NotesApplication Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59:59 pm MT on Wednesday December 10 2025. Applications will not be accepted past this date.Required application materials:Resume (preferably in PDF Format)Questionnaire (to be completed when submitting your application) Primarily a programmatic role this position will focus on the following program support and communication tasks:Processing grantsPublishing calls for proposalsMonitoring project progress and supporting proposal review panelsPlanning meetings with external partners and granteesSupporting the development and potential design of communication materialCompiling and synthesizing data and narratives from grantees to communicate program impact to external audiencesFacilitating team activities and supporting cross-network communities of practiceIn lieu of a traditional cover letter we want to learn more about your direct experiences regarding some of the critical skills needed to be successful in this position. Your answers to our questionnaire questions/prompts will be read and weighed equally to your resume. Please ensure youre providing specific detailed and informative responses based on your previous work experiences. Please keep your responses to 1-2 paragraphs per question/prompt.Briefly tell us about yourself. Be sure to include your specific interest in this short-term position.What experience do you have translating scientific information into digestible information for the general public Please share specific skills and experience with communication platforms and media formats as applicable.Please share any experience you have coordinating and running large virtual meetings (including providing background technical support in online platforms).Describe your experience with building or using knowledge management tools/systems (e.g. organizing data in spreadsheets applying data science tools using data to communicate impact/insights etc.). Position Type & Term: This is a full-time term-limited* position currently set to end on July 10 2026.*It is possible this may be granted an extension however not guaranteed.Background checks and Federal screens are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.Work Location Expectations: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person hybrid (combination of 3 days in-person and 2 days of remote) or fully remote opportunities. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S. excluding U.S. Territories. CPAESS staff deployed to federal agencies must abide by their respective federal agency requirements concerning remote/flexible work arrangements.What You Will DoHere is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.Key ResponsibilitiesMonitor project progress (e.g. collect organize and archive information in project reports); update NOAA and CAP/RISA project databases; track and report on performance measures; identify early findings worthy of raising for further communications.Work with CAP/RISA Team staff to help organize and facilitate CAP/RISA Team activities (e.g. meetings and workshops) as part of the CSI Division.Support proposal review panels by organizing information checking documents setting up and supporting the panel review process.Support post-panel review process (e.g. collecting and checking revised documents and then editing and organizing review documents).Assist with the organization and coordination of communications materials based on CAP/RISA-funded work through webinar series social media information graphics workshops and other activities.Work with CAP/RISA staff to integrate research and coordinate activities including meetings and communication including organization support of network-wide meetings.Support cross-network communities of practice through organizing meetings writing summaries of meeting discussions synthesizing and categorizing information for reporting to CPO NOAA and outside entities.Who Wed Love To Join Our TeamSuccessful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:Education & ExperienceBachelors degree or an equivalent combination of education and experienceKnowledge Skills and AbilitiesGeneral knowledge and understanding of climate adaptation principlesAbility to prepare technical and administrative reports with a demonstrated proficiency in writing skills.Good oral and written communication skills with the ability to give presentations.Demonstrated aptitude for self-directed organizing using software products.Creativity in problem solving and improving efficiency.Proficiency with Microsoft Office products particularly Excel.Proficiency with Google Workspace (Gmail Calendar Drive Meet) or similar virtual collaboration tools (Outlook Zoom Dropbox etc.).Ability and willingness to interact with all levels of program staff and scientific community. Commitment to Job Application FairnessApplicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.Some Final ConsiderationsAt NSF NCAR UCAR UCP 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 Suns core.Flexible WorkAt 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 (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.Equal Opportunity EmployerUCAR 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 your intersection of identities you are welcome at UCAR.Export ControlAll positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems. Work LocationUCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S. excluding U.S. Territories.AI SoftwareChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives processes and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.Required Experience:IC Key Skills Project Management Methodology,Project / Program Management,Program Management,Management Experience,Microsoft Powerpoint,Project Management,Microsoft Project,Budgeting,DoD Experience,Leadership Experience,Supervising Experience,Contracts Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1