CIRES Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation Director

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work modality

Relocation funds available

Training curriculum and Mentorship

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder seeks a Director for the Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation (CEEE) within CIRES. The Director will provide strategic leadership, manage a broad program portfolio, and drive impact in education and engagement while coordinating with leaders and funders.

The role includes grant development, fundraising, and a 50/50 split between externally funded work and CIRES-supported activities. A hybrid work model is available and travel is occasional.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Education, Environmental Science, Geoscience, or closely related field.
• At least six years of experience directing programs, including hiring, grant management, event planning, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, management, and strategic vision for CIRES CE. (CEEE).
• Oversee budgets, staffing, reporting, and grant/proposal development.
• Supervise Associate Directors and staff, oversee performance and growth.
• Build and maintain partnerships with CIRES, CU Boulder, and NOAA.
• Lead projects in curriculum development, educator training, public engagement and evaluation.

Skills

Leadership

Grant writing

Team management

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Education/Environmental Science/Geoscience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management tools

Job description

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research inEnvironmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of ColoradoBoulder seeks an innovative, experienced and strategic leader toserve as Director for the Center for Education,Engagement and Evaluation (CEEE) . CEEE advances CIRES’ missionby connecting environmental science with learners, educators,scientists, and communities through education, engagement andcareer development.

The Director will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for CEEE, overseeing a broad portfolio of programs and collaborating closely with Associate Directors and the CEEEleadership team. This role involves shaping long‑term strategy,supporting an exceptional team, and ensuring CEEE’s programs drivemeaningful impact across research, education, and engagement. Theduties for this position are varied and require an interest andability in learning new skills, working across multiple projects,and across fields. Creativity and flexibility in problem solving,project management experience, organizational skills and attentionto detail, excellent communication, and good interpersonal skillsare critical for this position. The successful candidate will beresponsible for grant writing and fundraising to support the CEEEteam that is funded by federal grants, contracts and serviceagreements. About 50% of the position will be spent on externallyfunded project work that falls under the CEEE mission; thesuccessful candidate is expected to secure this project funding.The remaining 50% will be supported directly by CIRES.

The ideal candidate combines expertise in environmental or Earthsciences with an excellent understanding of the national scienceeducation and engagement landscape. The successful candidate willbring proven success in leadership and cross-sector collaboration,grant development and funding, fundraising from diversified sourcesincluding foundations, private donors and fee-based initiativesalong with a passion for fostering inclusive, innovative learningenvironments. The leadership role requires the CEEE Director to bein the office 3 days per week.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

CIRES is an internationally recognizedleader in innovative environmental science and research and islocated at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than900 environmental science professionals work to understand thedynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with theplanet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas ofexpertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles,air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earthsciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring asustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societalunderstanding of the Earth system.

CIRES Center for Education, Engagement andEvaluation (CEEE ) is a team of 24 outreach, education andevaluation professionals. CIRES CEEE is a well‑known and trusted partner for connecting CIRES science with educators, learners andcommunities. We strive to make research data accessible, inspireenvironmental action and empower curiosity and scientificengagement. We provide accessible, inclusive, high-qualityenvironmental science curriculum and informal learning experiences,as well as meaningful professional and career developmentopportunities.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Leadership and Strategic Direction (15%)

• Provide leadership, management, and strategic vision forCEEE.
• Collaborate with Associate Directors to define priorities,implement initiatives, and oversee the project portfolio.
• Foster a positive, supportive, and high‑performing workplaceculture.
• Represent CIRES and CEEE with funding agencies, partners, andcollaborators through presentations and networking.
• Maintain active engagement with national and internationalprofessional organizations.
• Contribute to CIRES and CU Boulder’s service, reporting, andimpact assessments.

Financial and Administrative Management (20%)

• Manage and allocate the CEEE operating budget (~$2.5M annually)in collaboration with Associate Directors.
• Oversee project budgets, staffing, reporting, and awardactions.
• Identify funding opportunities and lead and support grant andproposal development across the CEEE portfolio.
• Engage with donors and oversee finances for the CEEE servicecenter.

Team Supervision and Development (10%)

• Supervise Associate Directors, and others as needed (~4-8staff).
• Oversee deliverables, provide guidance and performancefeedback, and anticipate staffing and funding needs.
• In collaboration with Associate Directors, hire and onboard newstaff and promote professional growth across the team.

Program and Partnership Oversight (5%)

• Support CIRES/NOAA scientists in developing education,engagement, evaluation, or Broader Impacts components of researchgrants.
• Build and maintain partnerships with CIRES, CU Boulder, andNOAA to advance shared education and engagement priorities.
• Manage community, CIRES, CU and partner requests forcollaboration, including partner with NOAA to advance NOAAeducation priorities.

Project portfolio pending the securing of additional funds(50%)

• Lead components or projects of CEEE’s portfolio in areas suchas curriculum development, educator training, public engagement,workforce development, and education research and evaluation.
• Provide direction, management, and oversight for selectedprojects, including budgeting, staffing, reporting, andstrategy.
• Foster partnerships to advance project outcomes and ensurebroad dissemination through communications, presentations, andpublications.

What You Should Know

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Candidatesneeding visa sponsorship now or in the future are not eligible forhire in this role.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in theUnited States on a full‑time basis.
• This position requires the ability to travel occasionally (3-5trips per year).
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder, in Boulder, CO.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $112,055 -$145,673. Salary is commensurate with education and experience anddetermined based on our CIRES internal career trackclassification.
• After an initial onboarding period, this position canaccommodate a hybrid work modality. This position requires presencein the University of Colorado Boulder campus at least 3 times aweek.
• Some relocation funds are available to help offset expenses,following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocationprocesses and procedures.
• CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robusttraining curriculum, opportunities for professional development,and a Mentorship Program.
• Boulder is a vibrant community withaccess to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers,lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sportsvenues.
• As an employee at CU Boulder, you will have free access to theregional public transit system, anoutstanding network of buses, and light rail systems that serviceBoulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surroundingcommunities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑classoutdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's BestLarge Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Coloradoand #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks andprograms through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be challenged. Be supportive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Ph.D. in Education, Environmental Science, Geoscience, or aclosely related field.
• At least six years of experience directing programs, includinghiring, grant management, event planning, and reporting.
• At least six years of experience supervising and mentoringprofessionals.
• Proven record of securing external funding as PrincipalInvestigator or co-Principal Investigator.
• Extensive and demonstrated experience in education or researchenvironments supported by federal grants and/or contracts.
• Proven success in building effective, supportive teamcultures.
• Ability to travel occasionally (3-5 trips per year).

What You Will Need

• In-depth knowledge of the U.S. environmental education,engagement and outreach landscape.
• Proven success in grant writing, fundraising, and managingfunds in areas aligned with CEEE’s and CIRES’s mission.
• A history of critical thinking and ability to align centerinitiatives that advances CEEE and CIRES mission and goals.
• Proven ability to lead multiple geographically dispersed teamsand manage complex, multi‑project portfolios, and partnershipsamong scientists, educators and administrators.
• Ability to delegate tasks strategically to Associate Directorsand CEEE Leadership team.
• Excellent demonstrated collaboration across fields andcommunication skills for a variety of audiences.
• Comprehensive knowledge of science education, publicengagement, career development, and/or evaluation for students andscientists.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and projectmanagement tools.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required andpreferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply evenif they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined inthis section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for thework, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job trainingfor any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to theposition.

• Extensive experience managing federally funded education orresearch programs.
• Demonstrated capability to manage foundation‑funded, privatedonor‑funded, and/or fee‑based programs.
• Background in geoscience or environmental science.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation techniques or approachesin management, education, and communications.