CIRES Scientific Communications Managing Editor

Job Summary

The CIRES Communications Team seeks a full-time managing editor who will support the communications team as a whole while focusing on work to promote and recognize the excellent work of CIRES researchers embedded in NOAA. We are looking for a leader, someone who is fascinated by Earth system research and eager to learn more, and someone who works well with others to identify and communicate important findings to diverse audiences in conventional and innovative ways. The duties required for this position are varied and will evolve over time, adjusting to the needs of NOAA and CU Boulder, shifting use of social media platforms, and other changes. This person will work to ensure CIRES communications support the needs of NOAA and CU Boulder and help ensure CIRES remains widely recognized as a world leader in environmental science.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 800 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Build and maintain an up-to-date awareness and understanding of the major research emphases and activities of CIRES scientists embedded in NOAA groups in Boulder. This may include occasional travel, e.g. to scientific meetings or to field research sites.

• This includes building and maintaining excellent, professional relationships with CIRES researchers, CIRES administrators, and all communicators (CIRES and federal) working in the NOAA building.

In collaboration with CIRES Communications Director:

• Use professional judgment to set priorities for self and team, based on anticipated impact and reach of projects vs. time investment required
• Work to streamline team practices and processes, from documentation to innovation
• Edit work for consistency with CIRES, CU Boulder, and NOAA style practices

Contribute to internal and external science communications products, from photo-driven social media blurbs to highly structured annual reports to NOAA. In some cases, this person will lead projects themself, and in others, they will assign projects to colleagues and track progress. Example products:

• Fliers for recruitment, visitors, special occasions
• Annual magazine: Spheres
• Annual reports to NOAA
• E-newsletters
• Social media content
• Web content
• Award nominations

What You Should Know

• To start, this position will allow remote work only one day per week: Two will be spent in person at the David Skaggs Research Center, a federal building in Boulder that houses NOAA, and two in person at CIRES (in the University of Colorado Boulder main campus). We anticipate that this will evolve to allow two remote work days per week.
• All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to comply with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $65,000 - $95,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Relocation funds are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in English, journalism, communications, or a scientific field.
• 5 years experience in scientific communications.

What You Will Need

• Expertise in scientific reporting and writing.
• Strong ability to read, interpret and write about complex scientific articles and media.
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills.
• Experience interviewing sources with a variety of backgrounds, including scientific.
• Strong editing skills, including copy editing.
• Ability to create positive, professional relationships across institutional boundaries.
• Ability to multitask.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, Google, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Familiar with content management, project management, and email marketing systems.
• Ability and desire to contribute to an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

What We Would Like You To Have

Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this “What We Would Like You To Have” section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

• Master’s degree or higher in a scientific field, English, journalism, or communications.
• 5 years experience in scientific communications related to the geosciences or environmental science.
• Experience in a federal or university science communications environment.
• Multimedia production experience, eg, photography, videography, illustration, audio, or animation.
• Proficient in content management, project management, and email marketing systems.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV
2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
3. Although not required at the time of application, please be prepared to submit contact information for 5 professional references, (2 of whom must be supervisors or professors). If you are selected as a finalist, we will ask you to contact your references so that they can complete a SkillSurvey questionnaire on your behalf. SkillSurvey is an online automated reference check solution. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

Position will remain posted until finalists have been identified.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Kathleen Human

Posting Contact Email: kathleen.human@colorado.edu