CIRES/National Integrated Drought Information System, Digital Communications Coordinator

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) seek a full-time Digital Communications Coordinator to strategize and implement web-based communications through the U.S. Drought Portal () and other NIDIS communication channels. The successful candidate will have significant professional experience in crafting and implementing digital communication tools. This role will be the primary link between the NIDIS program office (based in Boulder, CO) and the web development team for the U.S. Drought Portal (based in Asheville, NC). The coordinator will partner with NIDIS’ off-site team of web developers and scientific experts to strategize, refine, and innovate to continue to develop a visually appealing, user-friendly, and content-rich website. The coordinator will also use skills in social media and web communications to contribute to NIDIS social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn) and NIDIS communications channels (e.g., Constant Contact emails, webinars) in coordination with the NIDIS Communications Team.

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

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.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 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

Drought.gov Content Coordination and Digital Strategy (60%)

• Lead strategic annual and multi-year planning for the U.S. Drought Portal, providing recommendations to NIDIS leadership for future development based on programmatic priorities.
• Act as point of contact for NIDIS’s relationship with the web development team at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), working with the U.S. Drought Portal Manager and the NIDIS Communications Team to shape priorities that inform the team’s work each year.
• Create, prioritize, edit, and update written and visual material on drought.gov. Summarize technical information in easy-to-grasp formats.

NIDIS Digital Communications Support (25%)

• Support content development for NIDIS social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Youtube) and other NIDIS communications channels to engage current audiences and attract new ones.
• Contribute to the implementation of NIDIS’s communications strategy, in coordination with the NIDIS Communications Team.
• Ensure digital communications, including technical reports and other documents, are accessible and compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Research data format, content and visualization methods to develop communication materials.

Drought.gov Performance Monitoring and User Research (12%)

• Monitor web and social media traffic and other metrics to find opportunities to increase user engagement and prioritize the development of .
• Advance ongoing user experience (UX) research and testing to create a strategy for the development and enhancement of the Drought Portal. Act as point of contact for NIDIS’s relationship with the National Environmental Mapping and Applications Center (NEMAC) at the University of North Carolina Asheville, providing guidance on priorities for user research and implementing lessons learned.
• Communicate with data users to both learn about their data needs and respond to their inquiries to the U.S. Drought Portal help desk email.

Perform other relevant duties as necessary to advance the NIDIS mission (3%)

What You Should Know

• Due to project deliverables, the anticipated start date for this position will be October 1, 2026.
• Some domestic travel (1–4 times per year) is required for this position.
• 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 $58,292- $86,387. 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.
• 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 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 , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive 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 program.

Be Statements

Be dynamic. Be supportive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• B.A. or B.S. in a related degree program, such as Journalism, Communications, Marketing, English, Technical or Scientific Writing, Information Management, Digital Media, Multimedia or Visual Arts, User Experience Design, Science (Environmental, Earth, or Atmospheric Sciences), or others.
• At least five years of professional experience guiding website content strategy and development.

What You Will Need

• High proficiency with Google Apps (e.g., Google Analytics), Microsoft Office Suite, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools and techniques, including the ability to report on analytics and other web data to drive measurable results.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills, including expertise in using plain language and the ability to edit others’ writing to reflect the same.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into understandable and appealing narrative and visual formats such as infographics, charts, story maps, and others.
• Attentiveness to detail and vigilance about accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with multiple groups of internal and external partners, local and remote, and support a respectful work culture.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills in a fast-paced environment, including the ability to manage multiple projects and re-prioritize as needed.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

• One or more years of professional experience updating website content using a web content management system (CMS). Experience using Drupal is preferred.
• A background in scientific or research-based writing.
• Experience in modern web content delivery across multiple platforms of phone, tablet, desktop.
• Experience using markdown or HTML/CSS.
• Professional experience in web accessibility and governmental compliance (including Section 508 compliance).
• Professional experience in managing web-based projects, including managing project timelines and tracking and communicating progress.
• Professional experience developing effective social media communications.
• Professional experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems for communications purposes.
• Professional experience innovating and capitalizing on digital communication trends, integrating them into an overall communications strategy.
• Professional graphic design, videography, or photography experience.