Job Description Summary: UCAR is seeking a dynamic Administrative Assistant II to provide onsite support for staff and visitors within the Computational & Information Systems Lab (CISL). This position will include a substantial amount of travel and visitor support and will require a professional demeanor and an effective approach to completing projects and solving problems. Support may include varied duties ranging from routine office tasks, matrixed administrative team support to tasks requiring the use of independent judgment within established policy guidelines, practices, and procedures. Requires intermediate administrative skills in coordination and accomplishment of a broad range of administrative support tasks.
NSF NCAR's Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) is a leader in supercomputing and data services necessary for the advancement of atmospheric and geospace science. CISL's mission is to remain a leader at the forefront of ensuring that research universities, NSF NCAR, and the larger atmospheric, oceanographic, and related research communities have access to the computational resources they need for their research. To fulfill the need for a stronger workforce at the intersection of High Performance Computing (HPC) and geoscience problems, CISL engages in education and outreach activities to inspire and attract a dynamic future workforce.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Regular
Compensation Range:
Salary Range $43,825 - $54,055
Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.
Application Notes Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59 PM MT on Monday, September 8, 2025 .
Hiring Timeline: Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format) :
Resume/CV
Cover Letter - Please address the following two topics in your cover letter: (1) 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). and (2) Please tell us about a time when you experienced miscommunication/conflict from miscommunication. How did (or didn't) you recover? What did you learn?
Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more. (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/faqs) Work Location:
This position is open to candidates seeking in-person (onsite) and/or hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) opportunities. Hybrid schedule will require a minimum of 3 days/week onsite, plus occasional events as needed. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
What You Will Do
Here is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
Key Responsibilities
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!
Travel (Staff and Visitors):
Responsible for overall lab travel workflow, including planning, arrangements, agendas and reimbursements for both international and domestic trips using online systems. Responsible for ensuring that US travel regulations are followed as well as the travel policies of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and CISL. Works with travelers to support completion of required documentation; e.g., authorizations, vouchers, visas and reimbursements as needed. Calculates per diem rates and foreign currency. Under general guidance/supervision of the CISL visitor coordinators, prepares visitor forms, related paperwork and onsite support. Coordinates the scientific and professional arrangements of visitors to the National Science Foundation - National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), working with the visitor, host and staff. Ensures adherence to UCAR and laboratory policy and procedures for visitor support. Serves as the initial onsite contact for staff and visitors, helps with orientation, office and local arrangements.
Special Projects, Workshops, Meetings and other Administrative Support:
Provides onsite administrative support to the lab regarding staff and visitors. Coordinates new employee and visitor offices, supplies, computer requirements, telephones, ergonomics, etc. Introduces newcomers to UCAR/NSF NCAR/CISL staff and facilities and obtains access cards. Provides delegation coordination for lab directors, maintains schedules, notifies alternates and communicates to staff. Provides back up support for the administrative team. Proactively communicates with staff regarding announcements, requests, deadlines and general updates. Supports administrative process guidelines. May take meeting minutes.
Edits/proofreads/formats administrative and/or scientific, general correspondence and specialized technical documents and edits non-technical portions for correct grammar, spelling and formatting. Prepares mass mailings for distribution.
Assists with administrative and logistical support. Maintains and monitors staff calendars.
Supports online meeting software such as Google Meets, Slido, Zoom and others.
Supports meetings onsite and support for CISL in partnership with the lead admin. Makes arrangements for seminars, workshops, and meetings. Prepares presentation materials.
Provides website updates in an ever-changing environment with current content for the lab website and assists with testing of the website, links and forms, as needed.
May assist in property administration, but not a primary duty of this level of AA II.
Purchasing:
Prepares, processes and tracks a variety of purchases using the most appropriate methods including online financial systems. Purchases office supplies.
Reports and Reconciling:
Monitors and reconciles account key activity. May monitor expenses, create transfers and prepare status reports. Maintains records; initiates invoice requests for reimbursement.
Decision Making & Problem Solving:
Receives work from a large and dynamic group located at different sites and must determine how best to satisfy sometimes-conflicting needs. Discretion, good judgment, creativity and the ability to think clearly under pressure are needed. Works independently on routine tasks, receives supervision on projects. Seeks direction as needed.
Who We'd Love To Join Our Team
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education & Experience
High school diploma or equivalent; and a minimum of two years of relevant experience; or a combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Required:
Skills in the application of office procedures, working in an onsite and remote network and web based computing environment.
Knowledge of word processing, graphics, presentation, database, financial tools and spreadsheet software.
Ability to apply basic computational math skills i.e. percentages, decimals.
Advanced oral communication skills. High level of written communication skills, i.e., the ability to compose general correspondence and edit the non-technical portions of technical documents with attention to grammar, punctuation and formatting.
Ability to prioritize tasks.
Advanced knowledge of travel logistics, planning and procedures.
Ability to apply and communicate relevant UCAR policies and procedures.
Ability to work onsite and independently in a team mode within an interruption-driven environment.
Discretion in handling confidential information.
Desired, but not required:
Knowledge of Concur, UProcure, Workday or similar online systems
Knowledge of technical and/or specialized terminology relevant to the division/program
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 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 NCAR| UCAR | 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 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.
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 the way 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.
