CPAESS Scientist II

Visa Sponsored Job:

Yes

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Yes

Job Location:

College Park, Maryland

position Type:

Full time, Regular

$70,900 – $92,200

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59pm MT on Friday, April 24. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Background checks and Federal screens are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location Expectations: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person, hybrid (combination of 3 days in-person and 2 days of remote), or fully remote opportunities. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories. UCAR Staff deployed to federal agencies must abide by their respective federal agency requirements concerning remote/flexible work arrangements.

Program/Project-Specific Details

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and instructional designers to contribute to technology development and project planning for CPC projects.

• Work with end-users and partners to support proper implementation of forecasting solutions.

• Contribute to technical and scientific reports documenting work related to the PREPARE Early Warning System project.

Role-Specific Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and refinement of S2S forecasting tools, including the downscaling of global ensemble forecasts (GEFS, NMME, and others), to improve precipitation and temperature forecasts at week 2-4, monthly, and seasonal timescales using advanced scientific methods.

• Write and maintain algorithms in Python, Fortran, MATLAB, or similar languages, and develop Unix-based scripting workflows to post-process model outputs and apply statistical tools including filtering, multivariate analysis, model calibration, and forecast verification.

• Support GIS-based mapping of extreme event forecasts and assist senior scientists in tailoring forecasts for stakeholders across agriculture, water resource management, and health.

• Apply multivariate and spectral analysis to observations and model outputs to identify sources of S2S predictability and support advances in extreme event prediction.

• Support the development and delivery of S2S training materials for meteorologists, scientists, and sectoral stakeholders under the guidance of senior staff.

Required Role-Specific Skills or Experience

• Knowledge of the global climate system, with familiarity with the climate of the Caribbean, Latin America, or Africa at S2S timescales.

• Proficiency in Python, Fortran, MATLAB, or equivalent, with demonstrated experience developing algorithms and Unix scripting workflows for model output processing and statistical analysis.

• Familiarity with forecast verification methods and basic statistical tools such as filtering and multivariate analysis.

• Proficiency in verbal and written English and Spanish or English and French to effectively communicate technical scientific information to clients and stakeholders.

Required Application Materials (preferably in PDF Format):

• Resume

• Cover Letter
  In lieu of a traditional cover letter, answer the prompt below that address the critical skills needed for this position. Your answers will be read and weighed equally to your Resume/CV and should provide specific, detailed, and informative responses based on your direct and previous work experiences. Please keep cover letter to 1-2 pages.

  • Describe your experience or academic background working with climate or weather forecasting systems, including any exposure to sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) forecasting concepts or global ensemble models. Detail your proficiency in scientific programming languages and tools (e.g., Python, Fortran, MATLAB, Unix scripting, etc.) as applied to post-processing model outputs, developing algorithms, or applying statistical methods such as filtering, multivariate analysis, or forecast verification.

  • Where relevant, describe any experience working with end-users or partners to implement technical solutions. Please ground your response in concrete examples from your research or professional work.

  • Additionally, describe your professional or academic experience working in or with partners in Africa, Latin America, or the Caribbean, and indicate your language proficiency in English and Spanish or English and French, including any professional contexts in which you have communicated technical or scientific content in those languages.

Job Description SummaryUCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the CPAESS Scientist II position, supporting NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) under NOAA’s Early Warning Systems (NEWS) program. In this role, the incumbent will focus on the development and refinement of technical forecasting tools to improve sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) predictions of extreme climate events, with an emphasis on scientific programming, algorithm development, and statistical analysis. Working collaboratively with senior scientists, engineers, and partners under NEWS, the CPAESS Scientist II will contribute to the implementation of early warning systems in the Caribbean and Latin America, or Africa, and must demonstrate professional bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish or English and French.
CPAESS serves the Earth system science community in three distinct areas of service. CPAESS partners with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff, enabling a more robust workforce. Through scientific programs, CPAESS seeks to edify new research with postdoctoral programs, visiting scientist and internship programs, along with interagency support programs. CPAESS also helps build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees. Through Scientific Partnerships, CPAESS supports large-scale partnerships and initiatives in the Earth system science (ESS) community. Currently, there are about 100 scientists in a variety of federal agencies and laboratories across the U.S.

Job Description

Conducts scientific analyses and contributes to data collection, processing, and/or analysis using established tools and methods. Supports research and operational projects through scripting, visualization, and process improvements, while coordinating tasks with collaborators. Contributes to documentation and outreach, and applies sound judgment to address moderately complex challenges and deliver reliable results. Engages in mission-aligned activities within the organization and throughout the broader scientific community. Contributes through scientific expertise, professional service, and education and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities

• Conducting data collection, processing, and/or analysis tasks using established procedures to support research, modeling, or operational projects.

• Applying standard scientific methods, tools, or workflows to collect, prepare, audit, or synthesize data from observational, modeled, or experimental sources.

• Contributing to the evaluation or improvement of existing tools, models, or processes, making modifications as needed within defined parameters.

• Developing or adapting scripts and workflows for data processing, analysis, visualization, or automation tasks using programming or software tools appropriate to the field.

• Supporting preparation of technical documentation, internal reports, and presentations, contributing to the communication of project status and findings.

• Participating in collaborative project teams, sharing updates, integrating feedback, and coordinating work with other scientists or technical staff.

• Contributing to training, tutorials, or outreach efforts, including presenting scientific concepts or tools to internal or external audiences under guidance.

• Providing guidance to interns or less experienced staff to support learning and uphold work quality, under direction from senior team members. Participating in creating and collaborative work environments.

• Engaging actively in and contributing to papers, reports, technical documentation, data sets and findings, and proposals, as appropriate.

• Developing products, tools, instruments and/or technologies for projects and programs.

Requirements

Education

Typically requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and 4 years related experience, or a Master’s Degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge

Possesses knowledge of scientific principles, methods, and tools in a relevant field, with ability to apply established techniques to moderately complex problems.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates effective collaboration skills, including task coordination, feedback integration, and clear communication with scientists, engineers, or technical staff.

• Is skilled in collecting, processing, synthesizing, and auditing data from a variety of sources, including observational, modeled, or experimental datasets.

• Demonstrates proficiency with scripting and data analysis tools used for data preparation, visualization, or workflow automation.

• Is capable of modeling good work practices and helping build inclusive, team-oriented environments.

• Is capable of contributing to documentation or reporting, including technical summaries, visualizations, data sets, and presentations of data or project findings.

• Is able to adapt or refine existing workflows, tools, or procedures, and contribute to process improvements within defined guidelines.

Benefits Overview

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities.

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one.

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions).

• 10 paid holidays.

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary.

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost.

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

Some Final Considerations

At NSF NCARjobshiringnearme.org UCAR jobshiringnearme.org UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer that strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce. UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.
Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.