COMET Program Specialist II

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) • Boulder, CO

7d • $72,082 - $90,103 • Hybrid

About The Position

Help protect lives around the world as our next COMET Program Specialist II! We are a mission-driven team at the intersection of science and international development, with opportunities to engage directly with partners across the globe. You'll be on the front lines of global climate resilience - equipping communities in the most vulnerable countries to respond to weather, water, and climate hazards. This role directly supports COMET's mission to train meteorologists and emergency managers in underserved regions and small island developing states (SIDS), where early warning systems can mean the difference between life and loss. You'll own the full lifecycle of international logistics - from procurement and customs coordination to sustainable supply chain management across multiple global training sites - ensuring teams in the field have the critical equipment and supplies needed for effective learning and follow-on activities. As a leader in Earth sciences education and training, COMET advances the weather, water, and climate fields by developing scientifically robust, accessible, and impactful tools. You will join our diverse, multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, instructional designers, graphic artists, multimedia developers, and IT and administrative professionals to create customized learning experiences and technology solutions. Our vision is to empower resilient communities worldwide with the expertise to understand, predict, respond to, and adapt to environmental hazards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science, education, public administration or a related field; and 2 years of relevant program experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including demonstrated experience in logistics, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Sheets or Excel, including building complex, user-friendly tools for non-technical users.
• Experience with inventory management systems and best practices, including QR code/barcode systems, asset tagging, or inventory automation tools (or demonstrated ability to learn independently).
• Familiarity with supply chain and logistics, ideally with international shipping experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to produce clear documentation and present to diverse audiences including international partners.
• Experience working with national and international partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to work across technical and non-technical teams — translating between engineering/operational needs and partner-facing tools.
• Skill in preparing technical and administrative reports.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to independently manage work of moderate complexity, identify problems, and propose solutions.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of inventory management, supply chains, logistics, and/or shipping, ideally in an international context.
• Experience implementing or overhauling an inventory system (e.g., introducing QR/barcode scanning, transitioning from manual to automated tracking).
• Experience with in-country or international procurement in low-income or emerging economy contexts.
• Knowledge of customs regulations, import/export documentation, or international shipping compliance.
• Experience with packaging design, kitting, or parts organization systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of COMET’s production equipment, station components, and field supplies - from supplier identification and ordering to inventory audits, organization, and retiring obsolete materials.
• Conduct periodic physical inventory audits to reconcile system records with actual stock.
• Coordinate purchases following UCAR and program policy.
• Research and implement modern inventory tools (e.g., QR code systems, barcode scanning, inventory management software) to automate tracking and scale effectively.
• Monitor the political and technical climate to anticipate and respond to program demands, including tariff policies and budgetary impacts.
• Contribute to reports on station pricing and key inventory metrics.
• Lead the end-to-end shipping process for domestic and international partners, ensuring every shipment is accurate, compliant, and cost-allocated correctly.
• Develop and maintain shipment materials templates, in collaboration with instrument engineers, including a clear process for updating lists, inventory, and the program website when components are added or retired.
• Pack shipments; conduct pre-shipment visual inspections in-person after boxes have been palletized, coordinating with UCAR’s Logistics Department.
• Ensure accurate and complete shipping information (address, customs broker, point-of-contact) and coordinate customs paperwork with end recipients and/or customs brokers.
• Maintain a database of all COMET shipments to report on key data points: stations sent per country, shipment status, cost, weight, and timelines.
• Lead bi-weekly COMET Shipping meetings and maintain the shipment calendar.
• Build and maintain a country-specific customs database documenting requirements, import restrictions, and duty exemptions for future use.
• Own supply chain sustainability through researching alternative sourcing options, maintaining a vendor database with backup suppliers and pricing history, and proactively planning for inventory risk.
• Identify local procurement opportunities in host countries; collaborate with Engineering to resolve sourcing gaps and update end-user documentation accordingly.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve user-facing tools and resources that enable external partners to efficiently identify, source, and order materials for their station configurations.
• Lead packaging strategy: a) evaluate and improve COMET’s approach by researching professional, branded, and sustainable packaging options, b) implement intuitive parts storage systems that improve the end-user experience upon receipt, and c) refine these continuously based on partner feedback.
• Contribute to sustainability and impact reporting on supply chain efficiency and improvements.
• Operate a 3D printer to fabricate custom station parts for inclusion in field shipments.
• Represent COMET at workshops, conferences, and other external events.
• Contribute to reports, publications, and social media content.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• retirement
• life insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• time off allowance to attend classes
• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level