Location: Boulder, CO
Application Deadline: This position will be posted through Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
Position Term: 2 year term.
Relocation: No relocation package is offered for this position.
Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa (e.g., J-1, H1-B, etc.) for this position. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) is required for this position.
Salary Associate Scientist II:
Hiring Range: $65,006 - $81,258
Full Salary Range: $65,006 - $105,635
Salary Associate Scientist III:
Hiring Range: $80,758 - $100,948
Full Salary Range: $80,758 - $131,232
Benefits: 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. To learn more about our benefits, click here: https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/benefits
Vaccination Requirement: All employees hired by UCAR must comply with UCAR’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy and safety protocols.
Where You Will Work:
The COMET Program, part of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and UCAR Community Programs (UCP), has been instrumental in facilitating the exchange of ideas and training solutions to build capacity within the worldwide hydrometeorological community for over 30 years. Primarily sponsored by NOAA’s National Weather Service, COMET delivers best-in-class training, mostly through it’s MetEd Learning Portal, innovative environmental observation systems, access to global data, forecast display and evaluation systems, and early-warning communication infrastructure. COMET uses innovative methods to develop eLearning and facilitated training in the environmental sciences, particularly meteorology, but also areas such as oceanography, hydrology, space weather and emergency management. The program's international efforts include capacity development related to the collection and dissemination of weather information in developing countries. COMET has an outstanding, highly trained team of instructional designers, scientists, graphic artists, multimedia developers, and information technology and administrative professionals. A COMET strength is the flexibility of its staff, which allows effective use of program funds and efficient production. In additional to funding from NOAA’s National Weather Service, COMET has also received funding from:
- Bureau of Meteorology of Australia
- Bureau of Reclamation, United States Department of the Interior
- European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
- Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)
- NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS)
- NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
- Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- World Meteorological Organization
- Community and Collaboration
A foundational principle of COMET is that all of the program’s activities are strengthened by collaboration with others. The COMET Program’s primary community includes environmental forecasters and scientists in all settings, including universities, government agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector, both in the U.S. and internationally. The COMET Program receives significant benefits and support from its community. In particular, the unique relationship with the university community has been especially important to COMET’s mission. COMET works closely with faculty and members of the operational weather forecasting community to develop eLearning resources and facilitate symposia and workshops.
What You Will Do:
Provide scientific expertise to develop and deliver hydrological, and Earth-system-science-related training (including synchronous and asynchronous e-learning, and virtual and in-person courses/workshops) within the hydrology and hydrometeorology content areas.
Responsibilities:
- Plan and develop hydrology, hydrometeorology, and water science content for e-learning materials, including creating lesson scripts, contributing to conceptual visualizations, and identifying and processing case study examples independently and/or in collaboration with other project team members so that lessons are of the highest scientific and technical quality and soundness. Serves as scientific subject matter expert where appropriate.
- Participate and/or co-lead project development team, which includes maintaining budget, project scope, and production schedule, serving as a staff scientist and working collaboratively with other team members and external subject matter experts.
- Coordinate and/or teach courses in topics such as hydrology, hydrometeorology, and climate or water science, working directly with co-lead instructors, subject matter experts, and sponsor representatives in developing course content and schedules. May also serve as lecturer and case study laboratory leader for hydrology, hydrometeorology and other courses as needed.
- Identify, collect, manipulate, and review case study data for distance learning lessons and courses.
- Conduct scientific and operational quality assurance of distance learning lessons so that the products are of the highest scientific and technical quality.
- Represent the COMET Program and/or UCAR in scientific and educational outreach activities at professional meetings and conferences.
Additional duties for Associate Scientist III only
- Develop and maintain working relationships with clients and sponsoring agencies, including writing proposals and statements of work to secure project funding.
- Lead project development teams, which includes developing schedules, serving as a lead scientist, organizing and communicating with team members, and documenting training needs, where appropriate.
Supervisory responsibilities
Associate Scientist II: none
Associate Scientist III: may supervise other associate scientists, student assistants, or technical staff.
What You Need:
Education and Years of Experience:
Associate Scientist II:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline (hydrology, hydrometeorology, water science or related scientific field)
- Minimum of two to three years’ experience designing, developing, and/or teaching scientific content or on assignments leading to the ability to use hydrological and related data to develop training resources
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Associate Scientist III:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline (hydrology, hydrometeorology, water science or related scientific field)
- Minimum of three to five years’ experience at an Associate Scientist II or equivalent level designing, developing, and/or teaching scientific content or on assignments leading to the ability to use hydrological and related data to develop training resources
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Associate Scientist II:
- Working knowledge in hydrology or hydrometeorology
- Knowledge of hydrological and environmental data acquisition and processing, including workstation analysis and display packages and their hydrological application
- Ability to work effectively with external scientific and technical representatives and internal staff focal points
- Some experience managing a project to deadline and budget
- Ability to perform tasks that require accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work productively in a multi-task work environment
- Willingness to learn and utilize new e-learning tools in lesson development and production
- Ability to travel
Associate Scientist III (in addition to aforementioned AS II KSAs:
- Advanced knowledge in hydrology or hydrometeorology
- Developed skills in project leadership, including organizing and coordinating the tasks associated with each project assigned and managing projects to deadline and budget
- Ability to lead team discussion and facilitate team decision making
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; collaborate closely with subject matter experts, multi-media partners, and communicate with diverse and numerous team members
- Ability and willingness to make presentations to professional audiences
Desired, but not required:
- Master’s Degree
- Familiarity with training approaches for adult learners
- Advanced knowledge of hydrology or hydrometeorology
- Knowledge of oceanography, geodesy and/or hydrography
Applicant Notes:
A cover letter is required when applying for this position. This letter should address your hydrology or related work experiences, your project management experience, and your approach to explaining scientific and technical content in writing.
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.
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.
This is a non-risk based position: 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).
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.