Job Details

CIRES/NIDIS Regional Drought Information Coordinator

Position Number: 7175258
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Agriculture - Environmental Science, Ecology & Forestry

CIRES/NIDIS Regional Drought Information Coordinator

Requisition Number: 71913
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 03-Jun-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) are seeking a full-time Regional Drought Information Coordinator to work as part of an interdisciplinary team as the coordinator for selected regional NIDIS Drought Early Warning Systems (DEWS). NIDIS is a federal interagency and interstate effort to establish a national drought early warning information system in the U.S.
The successful applicant will advance drought science and preparedness through coordination and integration of drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, tribal, state, and local levels.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth's poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) was first authorized by Congress in 2006 (Public Law 109-430) and reauthorized in 2014 and 2019 to coordinate drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at federal, tribal, state, and local levels across the country. NIDIS does this work through:

Developing partnerships to ensure successful implementation of an integrated national drought monitoring and forecasting system at federal, state, and local levels.
Collecting and integrating information on the key indicators of drought to make usable, reliable, and timely drought forecasts and assessments.
Fostering and supporting a research environment that focuses on risk assessment, forecasting, and management.
Providing accurate, timely, and integrated information on drought conditions and associated risks to facilitate proactive decision making.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

(50%) Advancing a Drought Early Warning System (DEWS):

Serve as a regional source of authoritative information for federal agency partners, Tribal Nations, states, municipalities, academic institutions and other organizations on drought early warning, including drought monitoring, prediction and forecasting, planning and preparedness, communication, and interdisciplinary research.
Develop, sustain, and expand partnerships with partners across the region including public and/or private partners at Federal, Tribal, state, and local levels. Use these partnerships to effectively coordinate resources and activities.
Identify gaps and needs for advancing drought early warning, and develop partnerships, projects, research studies, and other activities to address those needs.
Identify strategic opportunities to integrate and apply drought research and information into the regional DEWS to help inform decision-making, leading to more effective drought response and planning.
Coordinate, organize, and write regional DEWS strategic plans based on team member consultation, and work with partners to implement activities within the strategic plans. Help identify and track appropriate metrics for measuring success.
Provide technical support for regional, state, or local drought planning, such as selecting drought indicators and triggers or supporting drought scenario exercises.

(30%) Communication and Outreach:

Communicate drought early warning information in coordination with the NIDIS Communications Team through regional Drought Status Updates, webinars, the U.S. Drought Portal (Drought.gov), social media, and other communication avenues.
Lead or co-lead virtual and in person engagements that convene drought partners and team members, including regional and national workshops, DEWS meetings, outlook forums, trainings, webinars, and conferences. Document the findings through meeting summaries, project reports, and other follow-up documentation.

Other Duties:

(15%) Review, evaluate, and manage research project statements of work for NIDIS-funded partners in the DEWS region.
(5%) Performs other relevant duties as necessary to advance the NIDIS mission.

What You Should Know

Due to project deliverables, the anticipated start date for this position will be September 1, 2026.
This position requires frequent domestic travel (~6-12 times per year).
This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
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.

What We Can Offer

CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
The hiring salary range for this position is $67,000 - $97,000. 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 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.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you will have free access to the regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be encouraged. Be supportive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree and more than three (3) years of post-baccalaureate relevant experience in natural or water resource management, geography, public policy, economics, or relevant environmental sciences field of study including climatology and/or atmospheric sciences.
Significant, proven professional work experience in the western United States in one or more of the following: drought, water resources, natural resources, hazard mitigation, disaster response, climate extremes, public policy or related fields.
Professional experience in engaging users and stakeholders across a variety of economic sectors and communicating drought, water, weather, and climate information.

What You Will Need

Ability to develop effective and cooperative relationships with federal, state, local agencies and universities.
Strong knowledge of drought, water resources, natural resources, hazard mitigation, disaster response, climate extremes, public policy or related fields in the western United States.
Demonstrated strong organizational and project management skills in a fast-paced environment by managing multiple priorities, responding rapidly to requests, and successfully executing projects from initiation to completion with clear stakeholder communication and consistent progress tracking.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex science concepts concisely through written and/or verbal delivery to various audiences.
Demonstrated strong and effective facilitation skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with a diverse group of scientists and partners and support an inclusive and respectful work culture.
Ability to consistently promote, support, work, and act in a manner in support of CIRES' vision, mission, and values.

Special Instructions

To apply please submit the following materials with your application:

Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
Although not needed at the time of application, please be ready to submit contact information for 5 professional references. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a Crosschq questionnaire on your behalf. Crosschq is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the members of the search committee.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
This position will close June 3, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NIDIS-Regional-Drought-Information-Coordinator/71913