CPAESS Program Specialist I

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type & Term:

$53,694 - $67,118

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

Application 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 grants

  • Publishing calls for proposals

  • Monitoring project progress and supporting proposal review panels

  • Planning meetings with external partners and grantees

  • Supporting the development and potential design of communication material

  • Compiling and synthesizing data and narratives from grantees to communicate program impact to external audiences

  • Facilitating team activities and supporting cross-network communities of practice

    • In 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 you're 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.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor 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.

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

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge and understanding of climate adaptation principles

• Ability 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.

Applicants 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.

At 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 Sun's core.

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 (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

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

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT 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.