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CIRES / INSTAAR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Polar Science Early Career Community Office Director

Employer
University of Colorado Boulder
Location
Colorado, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Nov 9, 2021


Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder seek to hire a polar scientist as the Director of a new Polar Science Early Career Community Office (PSECCO), to be homed within the CIRES Education & Outreach Program in support of polar early career scientists across the nation. We are seeking a motivated scientist who wants to focus their energy on supporting inclusion, belonging and career development of students, postdocs and community members involved in polar research. The PSECCO director will work to understand and connect with existing organizations focused on polar early career scientist development and belonging, accessibility, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (BAJEDI) initiatives, and create a community office that provides practical support for activities led by early career scientists, including through grants, communication, meeting logistics and website support. The candidate will be supported by a team of polar, education, and network professionals and a steering committee, and will have the opportunity to help shape the direction of the community office. Key components of the role will include community building and engagement, organizing workshops and training events for early career scientists and community members, managing a BAJEDI micro-grant award program, and representing the office at conferences. The director will be a self-motivated individual with experience in polar science and a commitment to values of inclusion, accessibility, and diversity. The position is currently funded for three years. The director is encouraged to publish, present PESCCO work at conferences, and apply for further funding opportunities.

The US polar science community remains one of the least diverse of the STEM fields. This position was created to support early career polar scientists by empowering and supporting them in their broadening participation efforts and to enhance a sense of belonging and inclusion in the polar research community. The Director hired into this position will have a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing early career scientists and will be positioned to develop the PSECCO based on their own experiences as an early career scientist.

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

Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences: At CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, more than 800 environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES is a partnership of NOAA and the University of Colorado Boulder, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at the Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, and solid Earth sciences. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system. https://cires.colorado.edu/

CIRES Education & Outreach Program: CIRES Education & Outreach is a team of 17 outreach, education, and evaluation professionals. CIRES E&O is a well-known and trusted partner for connecting CIRES science with educators, learners, and communities. We strive to make research data accessible, inspire environmental action and empower curiosity and scientific engagement. We provide accessible, inclusive, high-quality environmental science curriculum and informal learning experiences, as well as meaningful professional and career development opportunities. https://cires.colorado.edu/outreach/

Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research: INSTAAR is an interdisciplinary scientific research institute dedicated to understanding change in Earth systems. Researchers across many CU departments and programs come together in one unit to study the challenging environmental issues that confront our world. With deep roots in Quaternary history, polar regions, and alpine environments, today we embrace a broad global perspective on our planet’s past, present, and future, with a focus on bellwethers of environmental and social change. Our field sites are located across all seven continents, the world ocean, and the atmosphere, and include terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems from the tropics to the poles. INSTAAR has an international reputation for leadership in far-reaching projects, environmental monitoring, precision data sets, integrative modeling, and long-term relationships with place and people. We bring these research-based strengths to exceptional graduate education and mentorship, and to involving undergraduates in the research process. https://instaar.colorado.edu/

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Provide program support and leadership for a new Polar Science Early Career Community Office. This includes but is not limited to:

  1. Building connections between early career researchers across fields, volunteer organizations, and with existing polar networks for both Arctic and Antarctic researchers.
  2. Supporting early career scientists who are providing leadership to the community, including by providing logistical and practical support of activities and making connections with established leaders and mentors.
  3. Supporting the career development of polar scientists through workshops, training and travel funds. Activities will include leading an in-person postdoctoral leadership workshop, organizing and running twice-annual community building and training events for students/postdocs participating in polar field activities and managing travel awards for early career scientists, community members and educators.
  4. Manage a micro grant award for initiatives that enhance belonging, accessibility, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (BAJEDI) in the polar sciences.
  5. Maintain and intentionally cultivate a kind, respectful and inclusive environment for those who participate in Community Office activities.


Additional tasks include:
  • Develop & maintain expertise in BAJEDI best practices in STEM and polar science.
  • Represent the community office at national and international conferences.
  • Publish program results in peer-reviewed journals and whitepapers.
  • Pursue initiatives (including grant writing) that promote inclusivity and community within polar science.
  • Develop project reports for funding agency.
  • Work with administrative staff on IT, budget, and finance topics.
  • Build education and outreach partnerships.
What You Should Know
  • This job may not be what you thought of as the next step in your research career, but we know that there are many in STEM who see a path to a more inclusive polar science landscape through community building and supporting each other. Your polar science background combined with an enthusiasm and commitment for people, networks and a vision of polar sciences as a place where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is included and supported are the most important prerequisites for this position. We will provide mentorship and training to support your professional development as you need it.
  • To support the purpose of the PSECCO, we are particularly interested in candidates who would consider themselves to be current or recent early career scientists (regardless of your overall career path that may have led you to becoming a scientist). Candidates aligned with the goals of supporting early career scientists, including candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in the polar sciences are encouraged to apply.
  • 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
  • We anticipate the position will be filled as a full-time position at the University of Colorado Boulder, though we are willing to consider part-time requests. (Note - if your reason for wanting to fulfill this role at a part-time includes maintaining a scientific research presence, we are happy to help connect you with scientific mentoring, although funding for that is not available with this position).
  • CIRES can offer a generous compensation package. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
  • The annual full-time hiring salary range for this position is $65,000 - $70,000.
  • Modest 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 successful. Be Boulder.

What We Require
  • Graduate degree related to polar science (any subject area, field work not required)
  • A commitment to, and enthusiasm for creating a culture of inclusion and support for early career scientists in the polar sciences.
  • Excellent writing, communication and time management skills.
What You Will Need
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen to and understand the needs of partners and effectively use different communication methods (e.g., written, verbal, visual).
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks, deadlines and requests in a fast-paced environment while effectively managing resources and using appropriate time management skills.
  • Positive, solutions- and service-oriented work attitude.
What We Would Like You To Have
  • Prior experience with/participation in polar organizations and networks, for instance (but not limited to) APECS, Polar Impact Network, UArctic, IARPC.
  • Prior experience with/participation in professional development for students and/or early career scientists.
  • Leadership experience (widely defined, including volunteer roles in student organizations).
  • Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive workplace; multilingual skills are highly valued.
  • Self-motivation, independence and a commitment to ongoing personal professional development.
  • Willingness to listen, learn, create and adapt to serve the needs of the community.
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. List of contact information for 3 references who may be contacted on your behalf. If you are identified as a finalist for this role, we will also check references through Skillsurvey. Skillsurvey is an online reference check solution.


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.

The position will be open until filled, with all applications received prior to November 29 being given equal consideration.

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: Rebecca Batchelor

Posting Contact Email: rebecca.batchelor@colorado.edu


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