CIRES/ NSIDC Technical Writer

Job Summary

The Technical Writer, part of the Science Communications Group, interacts with several teams at NSIDC to publish and upkeep cryospheric data sets for use by the scientific communities served by NSIDC. The Technical Writer creates and maintains documentation for a broad array of scientific data sets describing remote sensing, airborne, or in situ data. This includes researching and writing about the methods, instrumentation, algorithms, and processing steps used to collect the data. In addition to data set user guides, the Technical Writer manages metadata information and maintains associated web content.

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

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

The National Snow and Ice Data Center ( NSIDC ) part of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder, serves as a national information and referral center in support of snow and ice research. NSIDC is a trusted source of cryospheric data and services, and is a leader in research and development within this field.

www.nsidc.org

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Researches and gathers scientific and technical information for the development of data set documentation, web content, other technical documents, and graphics.
• Creates, manages, and updates metadata records pertaining to NSIDC data sets.
• Coordinate interactions with product team members to ensure timely and efficient publication of data sets.
• Create written tutorials on how to use data-specific tools.
• Create and update the written web page content related to a data product.
• Participates in NSIDC Product Teams to communicate user community requirements and provide documentation and metadata best practices.
• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and application of NSIDC technical writing standards and guidelines for style, grammar, and format.

What You Should Know

• Due to NASA funding restrictions, candidates who have paid or unpaid appointments or positions with Chinese Government organizations, Chinese Government controlled organizations, Chinese-owned companies, or any company incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China are ineligible for hire.
• This is an on-site position with the option for a hybrid work modality. CIRES and NSIDC are currently supporting a higher degree of work location flexibility due to COVID-19 circumstances.
• For questions about this position please contact J. Reeves (joni.reeves@colorado.edu).
• 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.
• This is a full-time position.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $54,500 - $72,500. 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's 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 empowered. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree in a science field, preferably an Earth science subject area.
• Two years of professional writing experience.

What You Will Need

• A portfolio of work demonstrating advanced scientific and technical writing skills, including the ability to write for specialized and expert audiences, as well as the ability to write clear, jargon-free text for broader audiences.
• Ability to clearly communicate scientific and technical information.
• Experience following organizational or publication style guidelines.
• Ability to absorb and work with scientific and quantitative information.
• Ability to work on multiple teams that have diverse missions and operating styles.
• Ability to work independently in an unstructured, collaborative environment.
• Ability to organize, manage, and track simultaneous and continuing unresolved tasks.
• Deadline and results oriented.
• Skills in problem solving and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt and contribute to procedural and technical change and improvement.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Master’s degree in a science field, preferably in an Earth science subject area.
• Knowledge and experience in Earth science, polar regions, remote sensing, or related fields.
• Experience working with scientific data.
• Basic familiarity with UNIX operating system.
• Basic familiarity with Drupal or other content management 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. List of 3 references: the names, professional titles, and contact information of those who are familiar with your qualifications and work history and may be contacted for a professional reference. You don't need to include letters of recommendation at the time of application. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, we will request a letter of recommendation at a later time.

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. Applications will be screened as they are received.

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: J. Reeves

Posting Contact Email: joni.reeves@colorado.edu