Job Description Summary: NCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Project Manager II - Research Infrastructure Projects Lead role. This position will focus on coordinating and developing project plans for the effective organization and implementation of strategic initiatives focused on the development and sustainment of NSF NCAR research infrastructure and systems. This individual will be responsible for serving as the primary point of contact and coordinating project management support requests and needs for NSF NCAR research infrastructure projects and serves as a supervisor for lower level FLPO/PMO personnel as required.

Additionally, the Project Manager II will oversee the scope, schedule, budget, performance, risk, and change control management of assigned projects. Responsibilities will include a significant number of multidisciplinary cross-organizational projects and will require engagement with both internal and external team members and stakeholders. The Project Manager II will be confident in applying waterfall-based project management methodologies but may also be called upon to employ agile methodologies for relevant projects.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Regular

Compensation Range:

Hiring Range: $106,436 - 133,044

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

Application Notes

• This position requires a few weekly in-office days in Boulder, CO.

• This position will be posted until the end of 8/30/2024 .

Required application materials:

(a) Resume

(b) Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).

(c) Questionnaire (space is provided within the application to answer the below):

• Describe your experience managing a project or projects focused on the development of a new research capability (instrument, software package, facility) to be used by a wider community. What were the project deliverables, what was your role on the project team, and what project management methodologies did you employ (waterfall, agile, etc.)?

• Describe a time when you received conflicting input or guidance on a project. How did you go about navigating that?

• Please describe what diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mean to you and why they are important in your work as a project manager and as a team member.

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/faqs) .Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to beperformed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Project Planning and Execution

• Partners with program leadership to define project outcomes, project success metrics and criteria, and resource and schedule commitments.

• Collaborates with and supports leadership in all aspects of assigned research infrastructure projects including requirements development, planning (scope, schedule, and budget), and execution.

• Defines, creates, coordinates, and monitors integrated project plans utilizing appropriate project management methodologies (e.g., waterfall and agile).

• Motivates and leads project teams to complete project phases and deliverables for the development and implementation of the projects in this position’s portfolio. May also serve as an indirect supervisor for some personnel assigned to these project teams. Leads the development and leverages project metrics to monitor and evaluate progress and performance against the project plan and for operations monitoring. Facilitates all checkpoint/status activities throughout the project lifecycle and program development.

• Manages change control processes for approval of changes to project scope, schedule, cost, and requirements.

• Implements risk management processes that identify and facilitate the development of mitigation plans for end-to-end program/project risks.

• Coordinates and balances multiple projects effectively to meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.

• Develops domain knowledge to ensure the ability to understand research infrastructure program objectives and achieve project deliverables.

Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, and Collaboration

• Facilitates interactions between NSF NCAR program leaders and staff members involved with the development and execution of research infrastructure projects, NSF NCAR senior leadership, and other stakeholders and/or sponsors to drive successful project outcomes.

• Establishes strong relationships with program and project sponsor(s) and maintains regular communications on progress of assigned projects.

• Promotes a high level of collaboration and teamwork with program leaders, project sponsors, stakeholders, team members, and NSF NCAR senior leadership. Manages project communications plans and delivers regular project status reports and presentations for project sponsors, senior leadership, and other staff as appropriate.

• Proactively identifies and supports opportunities, avenues, and events for new community engagement. Engages community members around their shared goals and identifies ways to lower barriers to member participation.

• Ensures equitable engagement and facilitates communication among teams composed of members who are highly diverse in their disciplines, sectors, and/or job roles.

Research Infrastructure Projects Leadership and Coordination

• Serves as the primary point of contact and lead for coordinating and determining project management support needs for research infrastructure projects being developed and conducted within NSF NCAR.

• As required, supervises the work of lower-level project personnel (e.g., Project Manager I and/or Project Analyst personnel) in the provision of support for research infrastructure projects, providing guidance and mentoring in the application of best project management practices necessary for successful project conduct. May also serve as an indirect supervisor of team members on research infrastructure projects within the candidate’s portfolio.

• Leads the development of, and serves as the primary point of contact for, research facility use assessment materials and requests submitted to the NSF NCAR Facilities & Large Projects Office (FLPO) for the review and subsequent approval by the Assistant Director of NSF NCAR FLPO and ultimately the NSF NCAR Director and UCAR leadership personnel.

NSF NCAR Facilities & Large Projects Office (FLPO)/Project Management Office (PMO)

• As a member of the FLPO/PMO team in the DO, participates with other PMO team members in continual process improvement activities for project management, project intake, and regular planning. Supports the ongoing work of the FLPO/ PMO team to research and recommend new or improved project management tools or leading practices to improve project outcomes.

• Collaborates with FLPO leadership, PMO team members, NSF NCAR lab and program personnel, and sponsors as required to identify and develop improved processes for NSF NCAR facility use assessment and approval.

• Shares and supports the use of best project management practices with groups outside of the FLPO/PMO, as required.

• Ability to use advanced reasoning to effectively and efficiently analyze and resolve complex problems involving a mix of strategic, software development processes, and project management issues.

• Ability to assess project issues and develop resolutions that consider trade-offs between scope, complexity, cost, urgency, risk, and stakeholder value.

• Ability to anticipate risks and devise solutions in the moment.

• Ability to tolerate and lead during ambiguity, frequent change, or unpredictability.

  Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:Education and Experience (Required):

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of 2-4 years experience at the Project Management 1 (or equivalent) level and demonstrated ability to successfully manage scientific and technical projects with increasing levels of complexity.

• -Or- a combination of increased education and experience

Desired, but Not Required:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Required/Desired)

• Excellent team collaboration skills, including engaging stakeholders and project teams that operate in a remote work environment, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining strict attention to detail.

• Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated skill in routinely applying project management principles to software and software engineering projects, including experience using project tracking tools (e.g., JIRA, MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.) .

• Advanced skills in developing and managing project scope, schedule, and budget preparation, analysis, monitoring, and stewardship using both waterfall and agile project management styles.

• Advanced skill with project performance management metrics definition, tracking, and reporting.

• Ability to foster and sustain high-trust, high-performance teams; demonstrated skills in the areas of leadership, matrix management, relationship building, communications, and conflict resolution, and developing collaborative approaches with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to thrive in a dynamic work setting, leveraging skills in team building, time management, resource management, communication management, and cost management.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

  Desired, But Not Required:

• Experience in atmospheric or other Earth system research project support, especially research infrastructure (facility, instrumentation, software, etc.) projects.

• Knowledge and experience with projects and initiatives that support the three values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

• Understanding of NSF Research Infrastructure Office project management policies and processes for the design and execution of projects is strongly desired. (Information about the RIO is available at Research Infrastructure Documents and Guidance | NSF (https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/lfo_documents.jsp) ).

  Benefits Overview

  UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/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

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 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 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan (https://www.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/documents/related-links/2020-12/ODEI_StrategicPlan_Final.pdf) and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace (https://www.ucar.edu/who-we-are/diversity-inclusion) site.

  Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience . Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

  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 UCAR|NCAR|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, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

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 work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.