• Remote work is possible, with occasional visits to Boulder, CO.
• It is a two-year term position. (There is always the possibility of extending it. Most of us at NCAR started in term positions and are still here years later. The work always seems to be expanding.)
• I love working in the warm and diligent NCAR education group and highly recommend it!

What You Will Do:

The Program Specialist III in Evaluation and Grant Proposals (a.k.a. Evaluator) is responsible for coordinating all educational program evaluation across NCAR. The Evaluator works with the CoE leadership team and individual program leads to develop comprehensive evaluation plans for education and training programs at NCAR. This position oversees the implementation of different evaluation plans, ensuring that program activities have the desired impact and further the goals and objectives of the programs. The Program Specialist III handles formative evaluations for programs and develops subcontracts and hires external evaluators to provide independent input for summative evaluations. This position will streamline metrics and data collection for education activities across NCAR, provide these metrics when requested, and use these metrics to improve programs. The Program Specialist III will also support the CoE in grant proposal development, to build-in appropriate program metrics and evaluations and to enhance the broader impacts portions of large NCAR proposals, and to further education-related programs. This is a two-year term position with possibility of renewal.

• Responsibilities: 

  Program Evaluation

  • Co-designs evaluation plans of all NCAR-led education and training programs, including, but not limited to, internship programs, outreach activities, the Advanced Study Program, tutorials, teaching exchanges with universities. Plans will include measurable goals and intermediate assessments as deemed necessary to ensure continued progress.
  • Leads the collection, compilation and analysis of metrics of all education-related activities across NCAR. Responsible for providing metrics and analysis to NCAR leadership and NSF when requested.
  • Leads the development and execution of subaward contracts for external evaluators who will provide input to summative evaluations of programs.
  • Communicates results of evaluations with program leads and staff; co-develops plans for program improvement with program leads.
  • Publishes, in collaboration with program staff, the results of evaluations as part of overall program description and assessment.
  • May consult with UCAR Community Programs on evaluation needs and strategies.

  Proposal Development

  • Co-develops the evaluation component of proposals for all NCAR programs related to education and training.
  • May co-develop the education component of NCAR proposals under Broader Impacts, postdoc mentoring or other related categories.
  • Develops proposals related to NCAR education, community engagement and early-career professional development.

  What You Will Need:

  Education and Years of Experience

  Master’s degree in science, education, public administration or a related field, and at least three years of relevant program evaluation experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Expert in methods of educational program evaluation in the context of scientific organizations.

  • Demonstrated skill in working with program leads or PIs to develop and implement evaluation strategies and use results of evaluation for program improvement.
  • Experience in proposal development, including leading the evaluative and educational components of large research proposals.
  • Experience in working with researchers in proposal development.
  • Experience in training others in the methods of program evaluation, including design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting
  • Demonstrated skill to engage with, listen to, and learn from a broad range of evaluation stakeholders, encouraging their meaningful participation.
  • Experience in identifying limitations of one’s evaluation expertise and devising methods for acquiring additional evaluation knowledge when necessary.
  • Commitment to ensuring that evaluation activities are done in a culturally competent manner.
  • Demonstrated commitment to create inclusive, just, diverse and equitable spaces in STEM.
  • Proven record of working effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team to plan and conduct evaluations.
  • Proven ability to understand the context of a program and how it affects program planning, implementation, outcomes, and the evaluation itself.
  • Experience in identifying and assessing existing data sources for their potential use in program evaluation.
  • Demonstrated skill in gathering data for insightful program assessment, using qualitative and quantitative approaches such as interviews, group processes, participant observation, surveys, electronic data files, or other methods.
  • Experience in managing databases, constructing data files, conducting and supervising data entry, and performing data edits/cleaning.
  • Knowledge of methods for protecting confidential data.
  • Demonstrated experience in organizing and summarizing information in a clear and concise manner.
  • Skill in developing and implementing a communications and dissemination plan.
  • Proven track record in making sound technical and programmatic judgments and dealing effectively with uncertainty, risk and conflict.

  Applicant Notes:

  • A cover letter is required with the application.
  • An Inclusion Statement will be required for all applicants. This statement should address past efforts, as well as future vision and plans to advocate for and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organization and/or field of work.
  • A pre-employment screening is conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, performance records of internal candidates, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records.  UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 
  • Please note that while the position description details both minimum requirements as well as desired skills and experience, we want to remind applicants that you do not need to have all the desired skills and experience to be considered for this role. If you have the passion for the work along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest.
  • For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, here is the link to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and to the ODEI landing page.

  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.