CPAESS Program Specialist II

About the Role

UCAR is excited to announce the opening for the Program Specialist II role with the Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS). The position serves as Event and Travel Team Lead for CPAESS, drawing upon excellent project management, organizational and time‑management skills to manage events and travel at the programmatic level.

• Provide high‑level project management of CPAESS events and subawards, including budgets, vendor negotiations, deliverables, and reporting.
• Manage a portfolio of meeting and subaward projects on a day‑to‑day basis, including complex, time‑sensitive deliverables.
• Drive standardization of project management best practices; identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness and recommend courses of action.
• Act as meeting planner or travel coordinator as needed; serve as staff specialist for event and travel support.

• Manage a team of event coordinators and travel arrangers, including annual performance evaluations and development of SMART goals.
• Forecast staffing requirements and oversee training, development, and professional growth of team members.
• Partner with the CPAESS Assistant Director on staffing actions and recommend salaries for promotions and merit increases.
• Maintain processes that build a diverse and inclusive workforce and workplace environment.

• Serve as the primary point of contact to assess sponsor needs, budgets, and new event opportunities.
• Develop proposals and budgets in collaboration with the CPAESS Assistant Director and leadership team.
• Represent CPAESS to sponsors and external stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in science, education, public administration, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in event and program planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• CMIP or PMP certification.
• Experience with content management software such as Drupal.
• Knowledge of travel planning and program management processes, including UCAR’s travel policies.
• Experience with Cvent Event Management Software.
• Knowledge of relevant UCAR policies.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.

Project Management

• Demonstrated project management skills, including prioritization, risk assessment, budgeting, and project accounting; ability to develop a risk management strategy and report on status to the CPAESS director and stakeholders.
• Advanced organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent tasks and deadlines while maintaining high quality and quantitative standards.
• Core competencies include initiative, communication, critical thinking, creativity, analytical reasoning, and process management.
• Understanding of government contract management processes; ability to work with UCAR Contracts personnel to meet contractual project needs.

Supervision

• Demonstrated ability to supervise the work of others, interpret and apply policies and procedures, and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Skill in identifying program opportunities and problems and recommending courses of action.

Event Planning & Technical

• Knowledge of event planning and logistics, including AV equipment, onsite support for in‑person events, and online meeting/registration platforms; experience with Zoom, Web Ex, and Slido.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Concur travel and expense management, and standard word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet tools.
• Experience developing events, proposals, and budgets in partnership with steering committees.

Other

• Professional and collegial attitude when managing stressful timelines and complex programmatic situations.
• Adaptability to a changing work environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as an effective team member within diverse groups.
• Proven ability to develop and foster positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Advanced oral communication skills and proficiency in written English, including drafting, editing, and proofreading complex materials for grammar, spelling, punctuation,…