Soil Scientist jobs in Grand Junction, CO

• Manage the NCSMMN, which includes leading and/or participating on the Interagency Coordinating Team, and engaging with the broader NCSMMN Community to coordinate the advancement of the NCSMMN.
• Collaborate with partners to implement the NCSMMN Strategy, released in 2021, which provides a roadmap for program success.
• Manage a suite of NIDIS-funded projects that advance the NCSMMN Strategy, including reviewing, evaluating, and managing statements of work. A primary focus for the next few years will be the Upper Missouri River Basin Data Value Study, a high-visibility study directed by Congress and funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to demonstrate the value of soil moisture and snowpack monitoring data to improve climatologic and hydrologic applications.
• Explore and support new strategic partnerships including those with Federal agencies, Tribal Nations, state and local governments, academic institutions, and other public and/or private partners.
• Coordinate with other NIDIS Program Office colleagues to share ideas, resources, and strategies to lead NIDIS’ soil moisture efforts in a more effective and cohesive way that ensures the best alignment with both NIDIS’ regional Drought Early Warning Systems (DEWS) and other national-level efforts.
• Communicate the purpose, goals, and outcomes of the NCSMMN to various scientific and professional communities and to the public through development of presentations, documents, reports, and/or other content for NIDIS and partner websites as appropriate.
• Lead or assist in event-planning activities (virtual and in-person) to convene meetings, workshops, trainings, and/or webinars, and document the findings through meeting summaries or project reports.
• Perform other duties as necessary to advance the NCSMMN initiative and/or broader NIDIS mission.

• Due to project deliverables, candidates must be able to start working no later than August 1, 2024.
• This position requires frequent domestic travel (~6-12 times per year).
• This position can either be located in Boulder, CO (at the NOAA David Skaggs Research Center) or can be located remotely within the United States (with travel to the Program Office in Boulder two or three times per year).
• If you are selected for this position you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access. Non-US citizens without green cards may have limited building access, and require an escort in the building.

• CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $70,000 - $105,000. 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 and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid or fully remote work modality.
• CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
• Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues. Boulder was recently ranked as one of the top places to live in the U.S. by U.S. News.
• As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

• Bachelor’s degree in soil science, natural or water resources, hydrology, atmospheric science, meteorology/climatology, engineering, or related environmental sciences field, and at least 5 years of directly relevant professional experience. Or a master’s degree in the above fields with at least 3 years of directly relevant professional experience.
• Experience developing and sustaining relationships with federal agencies, tribal, state, and/or local government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and/or academia.
• Experience in project management, particularly in cases where projects include networks of organizations and/or span multiple geographies.

We invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

• Soil science/soil moisture educational background and/or technical knowledge.
• Knowledge of drought monitoring and prediction.
• Experience in facilitating and organizing workshops and/or conferences.
• Experience working with tribal partners is highly valued.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic or other long-term plans.
• Expertise in working with social media, Google Suite, and Microsoft office applications.