Program Operations Specialist Project Administrator

Job Description

CICOES has an outstanding opportunity for Program Operations Specialist to join their team

About this Opportunity

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the Nations premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education research and community service. UW is in the greater Seattle metropolitan area with a dynamic multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of natural environments from mountains to ocean. The UW is a community of 80000 students faculty and staff including 25% first-generation college students over 25% Pell Grant students and faculty from over 70 countries. The Cooperative Institute for Climate Ocean and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) has existed since 1977 for the purpose of fostering research collaboration between UW and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). CICOESs research is at the forefront of investigations on climate change ocean acidification fisheries assessments and tsunami forecasting.

Reporting to Dr. Jonathan Sharp CICOES is seeking a Program Operations Specialist to join the Global Observations of Biogeochemistry and Ocean Physics (GOBOP) Group at the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL). Based out of PMEL this role involves leading the administration and management of PMELs Adopt-a-Float outreach program. There are more than 4500 robotic profiling floats distributed throughout the global oceans thanks to the international (30 contributing nations) Argo research program that strives to understand the oceans role in global climate. These floats vertically sample the ocean interior from 2000 m (or 6000 m) depth to the sea surface every 10 days sending their data to shore via satellite while at the sea surface. Argo data are vital for weather forecasting climate predictions (e.g. El Niño) and scientific research on ocean variability and change. The PMEL GOBOP group deploys 80 floats annually many of which are adopted by regional high school classrooms. Students from these classrooms get to name their adopted float and engage with our team to learn about ocean concepts explore data from floats in distant seas and discover career paths in ocean science. The Program Operations Specialist will lead and manage PMELs Adopt-a-Float outreach program increasing its impact by growing the number of schools we engage with and potentially expanding the program to include regional community colleges. Specifically the Program Operations Specialist will be responsible for engaging new potential schools and outreach partners managing the budget allocated for the program and organizing and leading outreach events. Other highly successful implementations of Adopt-a-Float in France and California serve as examples of how this program can make an addition to managing the Adopt-a-Float outreach program this role will provide essential support to the PMEL GOBOP team by assisting with logistics reporting and external communications to further the Argo mission.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the PMEL Adopt-a-Float Outreach Program (50%): Grow manage and administer the PMEL Adopt-a-Float Outreach Program by organizing and optimizing existing outreach content and materials coordinating outreach events with teachers from regional high schools and developing tools to track the success of outreach engagements and managing the budget allocated to the program. This role will involve organizing approximately quarterly school visits that will be carried out by members of the GOBOP team in collaboration with colleagues and students at PMEL and UW.

Support Group Logistics (25%): Assist with shipping float deployment planning/notifications budgeting purchasing file organization and intern coordination. Contribute to the development management and maintenance of performance metrics to track the status and needs of ongoing hardware software and data quality control efforts.

Support Group Reporting and Communications (20%): Assist in drafting textual and visual content for proposals reports presentations outreach stories publication media and digital platforms (e.g. group website). Such efforts will largely build from existing materials but would ideally evolve to include the development of new materials depending on the skillset and interests of the hire.

Perform Additional Duties (5%): Complete other tasks as assigned to support the GOBOP Argo team.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license certification and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Bachelor of Earth Science (e.g. Oceanography Atmospheric Science etc); or Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration Project Management Marketing or similar;

12-months of job-related experience

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license certification and/or registration.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks.

Experience or interest in arranging and running meetings.

Broad basic computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office suite).

Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills.

Highly organized self-motivated individual with strong attention to detail and time management skills.

Experience with or training in project management and handling deadlines.

Experience developing graphical/visual content to communicate information.

Demonstrated ability to work well in a team and prioritize team success.

Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities while exercising sound judgment and taking initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

An educational background or interest in ocean/environmental science.

Experience with web design.

Experience with budget management.

Experience developing and/or implementing outreach events.

Experience organizing and leading small groups of people with a common goal.

The ability to occasionally assist team members in the float lab with unpacking packing or testing floats and maneuvering floats/boxes of 80 lbs with the help of another individual.

Working Conditions

Professional office settingdesk work.

Occasional assistance in the PMEL float lab.

This role may involve semi-regular trips to regional schools to assist group scientists and/or contribute to outreach events. Therefore a drivers license is required though a personal vehicle is not required.

Application Requirement

Please provide a 1-to-2 page cover letter describing how your experience makes you well suited for this position. You are also welcome to submit one additional page of textual or graphical content to serve as an example of your written or visual communication skills respectively.

Visa Sponsorship
NA

About the Team
The PMEL GOBOP team monitors and studies ocean dynamics and ecosystems contributing to the implementation of all three Argo missions (Core Deep and Biogeochemical) as well as GO-SHIP. Group scientists analyze data collected over the past 26 years from the array of >4500 Argo profiling floats distributed throughout the global ocean. The floats are free drifting and profile from 2000 m (or 6000 m) depth to the sea surface every 10 days sending their data back to land via satellite after each profile. Our group deploys approximately 80 floats annually many of which are adopted by regional high school classrooms through our Adopt-a-Float outreach program. The students get to name the floats and engage with our team during classroom visits to explore ocean concepts and learn about career paths in ocean science.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.