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Job Description Summary: UCAR is seeking a Government Relations Manager to play a vital role in advancing our mission through strategic engagement with legislative decision-makers.

This key position is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with policymakers and staff in federal and local legislative offices, including individual elected officials, relevant committees, and other key stakeholders. The Government Relations Manager will:

-Leverage relationships to inform and educate elected officials and their staff about the capabilities, research, and programmatic impact of UCAR, the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), and UCAR Community Programs (UCP).

-Engage with federal and regional legislative offices, at the direction of UCAR leadership and in collaboration with external advocacy partners, to advance UCAR and NSF NCAR funding priorities in alignment with Congressional interests and the needs of key constituencies.

-Collaborate closely with the Communications team, Business Development & External Engagement staff, and other teams within UCAR Leadership to support and advocate for UCAR’s mission of advancing Earth system science research.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Washington, District of Columbia

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)

Compensation Range:

Hiring Range: $94,000 - $118,000

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

Application Notes NOTES

+ This is a hybrid role, with three weekly in-office days in Washington, D.C .

+ This is a full-time, three-year term position .

+ This job posting will close a t 12 am on August 8, 2025.

Required Application Materials:

Resume

Cover Letter - Within your cover letter, we kindly ask that you address the following:

+ Describe your experience managing the implementation of advocacy or outreach campaigns on Capitol Hill.

+ Include any experience working across the aisle and building bipartisan support for policies or priorities.

+ Share your experience translating complex scientific or technical information for a legislative audience.

+ Describe your experience as a supervisor and/or mentor.

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 be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT AT UCAR

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

Convey the Value of Scientific Programs to the Legislative Audience

+ Partner with UCAR Leadership and advocacy partners to develop programs, events, and/or communication strategies designed to inform Congressional and federal entities of UCAR/NSF NCAR programs, activities, policies, and practices.

+ Represent the interests of UCAR, NSF NCAR, UCP, and the larger Earth system science community in front of members of Congress, federal officials, and key committee and agency staff.

+ Facilitate and arrange interactions between UCAR, NSF NCAR, and UCP staff, key members of the university community, and members of Congress, federal officials, and key committee and agency staff to elevate awareness of UCAR/NSF NCAR resources and services provided to the region, state, nation, and world.

+ Manage the process of UCAR appropriations request forms submitted to Congressional offices. Work with UCAR/NSF NCAR scientists to complete and submit required forms by the deadline, e.g., translate scientific language into layman's terms for members of Congress and their staff. Prepare and send formal correspondence to members of Congress for UCAR’s project and programmatic appropriations priorities.

+ Identify and implement ways to promote and improve UCAR programs such as Congressional briefings, board briefings, member representative briefings, advisory committee presentations, events at community gatherings (e.g., AGU Fall Annual meeting, AMS annual meeting, etc.), the Next Generation Policy Fellowship, lead efforts to implement such changes.

+ Cultivate awareness, support, and advocacy for UCAR/NSF NCAR research and education initiatives among key federal decision-makers and funders.

+ Work with federal agency officials and key Congressional and agency staff to advance UCAR/NCAR interests by updating individuals on relevant UCAR/NSF NCAR research and discussing funding opportunities.

+ Monitor and track legislation, news, and relevant intel from Congress, NSF, NOAA, and other relevant government entities on issues related to UCAR/NSF NCAR interests.

Support UCAR Initiatives

+ Work closely and effectively with UCAR Leadership in the development of the Government Relations office's goals each year, and continually report on progress.

+ Represent the Government Relations Office on strategic projects and initiatives, as well as relevant boards and commissions, as assigned by the UCAR President.

+ Work with other entities within the UCAR President’s Office to maintain UCAR science policy presence and information through the UCAR website, social media, and direct emails.

Support UCAR's Engagement of the Broader Science Advocacy Community in Washington, DC

+ Cultivate awareness, support, and advocacy for UCAR/NSF NCAR’s research and initiatives among interest groups, community leaders, and policy makers at the federal level.

+ Promote and improve UCAR programs such as Congressional briefings, board briefings, member representative briefings, UASC presentations, events at community gatherings (e.g., AGU Fall Annual meeting, AMS annual meeting, etc.), and the Next Generation Fellows.

WHO WE’D LOVE TO JOIN OUR TEAM

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

Required

+ Bachelor's Degree.

+ 5-7 years of experience working in a Congressional office or in a government relations role where working with Congressional offices was a primary function.

Preferred, Not Required

+ Master's Degree, or an atmospheric science background.

+ Science Policy experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Knowledge of Earth system science policy in the Washington, D.C. environment.

+ Advanced skills in working with Congress and federal agencies.

+ Broad familiarity with legislative processes and actors.

+ Skill in translating scientific concepts and ideas to a Congressional audience in written form.

+ Ability to communicate priorities, via written product and in-person, to a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external, clearly and effectively.

+ Ability to work effectively with a diverse staff to accomplish goals.

+ Ability to identify creative solutions and function in high-pressure situations.

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 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 (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.