24-112: Social and Behavioral Science Program Analyst

Posting Details

Posting Detail Information

Working Title 24-112: Social and Behavioral Science Program Analyst

Position Location Silver Spring, MD

Work Location Position is fully remote

Research Professional Position Yes

Posting Number 202401327AP

Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title Research Associate II

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range Commensurate with experience and qualifications as follows:

• Research Associate II: $63,900 - $81,100
• Research Associate III: $72,800 - $93,000
  
  

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

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• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in !
  
  

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 09/03/2024

Description Of Work Unit

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere ( CIRA ) at Colorado State University ( CSU ) is a multi-million dollar research organization located on CSU’s Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. CIRA is a cooperative institute that is also a research department within CSU’s College of Engineering, in partnership with the Department of Atmospheric Science. Its vision is to conduct interdisciplinary research in the atmospheric sciences by entraining skills beyond the meteorological disciplines, exploiting advances in engineering and computer science, facilitating transitional activity between pure and applied research, leveraging both national and international resources and partnerships, and assisting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) the National Weather Service ( NWS ), CSU , the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit.

The Office of Science and Technology Integration ( OSTI ) performs portfolio management for planning, research and development, and integration efforts for science and technology improvements across the NWS to build a Weather-Ready Nation. OSTI analyzes requirements for service improvements from NWS field offices and National Centers through close coordination with the Analyze, Forecast and Support Office; develops potential scientific and technological solutions through coordination with partners within NOAA and with the external research community; and sponsors applied research and development of programs/projects to address these requirements. Major research and development areas of the Office include, but are not limited to, improvement of operational atmosphere, ocean, land, sea ice, hydrological and other components of environmental prediction models, operational guidance and decision support tools, and social science integration.

Position Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere ( CIRA ) at Colorado State University ( CSU ) seeks a highly motivated, goal-oriented individual, who works well within a team and individually, to fill a full-time social science research and evaluation position for its collaborative research and development with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) National Weather Service ( NWS ) Office of Science and Technology Integration ( OSTI ) in Silver Spring, MD.

The social, behavioral, and economic sciences ( SBES ) play a critical role in connecting the improvements of NOAA’s weather, water, climate, and space forecast information to the goal of meeting the public’s growing forecast needs and decision making. Understanding societal needs and decision contexts provides NWS with information to prioritize what type of improvement will yield the greatest economic and societal benefit. Further, the use and integration of the SBES within NWS operations will help improve understanding of decision-making needs and support communication of uncertainty and risk information for better decision-making. Finally, the use of SBES will assist NWS in better understanding and quantifying the societal and economic benefits NWS’ forecasts provide the Nation. The primary goal of this partnership between NWS OSTI and CIRA is focused on providing SBES expertise to OSTI .

As part of this initiative to further expand collaboration with the NWS / OSTI , the individual in this position will report to the CIRA Project PI and work closely with and support the federal NWS Social Science Program Director, and serve as an analyst and support the growth and integration of NWS’ SBES with its physical sciences. Specifically, the individual in this position will conduct SBES research and provide knowledge and expertise to inform decisions concerning program planning, and will provide project management support for activities, including the coordination of meetings and minutes associated with the social science program, assist in communicating task status and produce monthly status reports highlighting task completion schedules (including schedule variations (if any), other milestones, and work product deliverables. They also will assist in the development, documentation of, and refinement of NWS SBES needs, gaps and/or requirements, assist evaluating the NWS products and services, and assist in planning activities in coordination with the NWS portfolios and with NOAA line offices and other federal agencies related to current and future SBES research activities associated with improvements in high-impact weather forecasts and warnings. The individual in this position may be responsible for preparing presentation materials, providing briefings, and generating documentation, and may be responsible for supporting and responding to SBES -related taskers and ad-hoc inquiries.

This position requires a NOAA Common Access Card ( CAC ) ID badge for computer access and therefore is open ONLY to citizens of the United States and lawful permanent residents in possession of a physical USCIS “Green Card.” This position is located in a federal facility in Silver Spring, MD and requires the ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries ( NACI ) Tier 1 federal background check for building access. The office will be in Silver Spring; however, the option exists to work remotely from a home/office. Periodic, in-person coordination meetings in Silver Spring and other locations will be required, and travel to attend those meetings will be paid by the project. The individual in this position will be an employee of CIRA - CSU . This position will be classified Research Associate II or III according to the credentials of the finalist selected for hire as follows:

• For position title Research Associate II: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS 3-4 years of experience managing research projects –OR– Master’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS up to 2 years of experience managing research projects
• For position title Research Associate III : Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS 5 years of experience managing research and evaluation projects –OR– Master’s Degree n a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS 2 years of experience managing research and evaluation projects –OR- Ph.D. in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field.\
  
  

Required Job Qualifications

In your cover letter, please specifically address each requirement as relates to your experience. A cover letter that fails to address the required qualifications for this position may not be considered further after review by the search committee.

• For position title Research Associate II: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS 3-4 years of experience managing research projects –OR– Master’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS up to 2 years of experience managing research projects;
• For position title Research Associate III : Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS 5 years of experience managing research and evaluation projects –OR– Master’s Degree in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field PLUS 2 years of experience managing research and evaluation projects –OR- Ph.D. in a relevant social or behavioral science or interdisciplinary field such as, but not limited to evaluation, risk communication, decision science, psychology, sociology, or related field;
• Experience conducting interviews, focus groups, or surveys;
• Experience analyzing qualitative and quantitative data;
• Demonstrated experience communicating research findings (including visual representations of data, highlight videos, slide decks, and/or written reports, etc.) within field of expertise and across disciplinary boundaries;
• Experience working independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team;
• Experience handling multiple projects while meeting project deadlines;
• Must be a citizen of the United States or Lawful Permanent Resident with a physical USCIS “Green Card.”
• Ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries ( NACI ) federal background check and receive a NOAA Common Access Card ( CAC ) ID badge. CIRA will not sponsor a visa for this position now nor in the future.
  
  

Preferred Job Qualifications

In your cover letter, please specifically address the applicable preferred qualifications for this position. A cover letter that fails to address the preferred qualifications for this position may not be considered further after review by the search committee.

• Experience in applied research and/or evaluation with skills in assessing program effectiveness and social network analysis, preferably in environmental sciences;
• Knowledge of and experience with the weather, water, and climate enterprise;
• Experience learning new skills (e.g., research methods, analysis techniques) and perspectives outside of one’s disciplinary training and field.
  
  

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category SBES Research Design, Implementation, and Analysis

Duty/Responsibility

• Work collaboratively with NWS Social Science Program members;
• Conduct relevant literature reviews to ensure the SBES research stays up to date with the latest domain knowledge and methods in the field;
• Lead and collaborate on developing qualitative (e.g., interview protocols) and quantitative (e.g., surveys) data collection instruments (and associated data management and archival plans) to understand the impacts of the NWS product and services.
  
  

Percentage Of Time 65

Job Duty Category Documentation & Reporting

Duty/Responsibility

• As needed, document the status of existing projects for the NWS Social Science Program Director;
• Prepare presentation materials, provide briefings, and generate documentation;
• Support and respond to SBES -related taskers and ad-hoc inquiries;
• Present results and findings to internal audiences (e.g., coworkers, Leadership, etc.) and/or external audiences at workshops and professional meetings and conferences (e.g., the American Meteorological Society, American Evaluation Association, and local, regional, or national conferences);
• Collaborate in writing research reports and journal articles.
  
  

Percentage Of Time 20

Job Duty Category Leadership

Duty/Responsibility

• Provide knowledge, guidance, expertise, and consultation on the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences ( SBES );
• Serve as an active participant during NWS Social Science Program meetings to evolve the SBES within NWS , and in coordination with the NOAA Line Offices and other federal agencies.
  
  

Percentage Of Time 15

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications must be submitted via online portal. We will not accept materials sent via email or other mode. NOTE : In your cover letter, please specifically address the required and preferred qualifications of this position. A cover letter that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee. Likewise, an online application with a generic cover letter or missing a cover letter, and/or an application that does not include current/correct reference contact information may not be further considered after review by the search committee.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you need assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search Contact linn.barrett@colostate.edu

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu .

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested 3

Maximum Requested 3