COMET Program Specialist II

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type:

$72,082 - $90,103

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

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

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Management

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.

Shipping & Logistics

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.

Supply Chain & End-User Local Sourcing

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.

Additional Responsibilities

• 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.

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

Education & Experience

• 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.

Desired, but not required:

• Knowledge of inventory management, supply chains, logistics, and/or shipping, ideally in an international context.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical

• 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.

Communication & Collaboration

• 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.

Project Management & Travel

• 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.

Desired, but not required:

• 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.

Work Location Expectations: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and/or hybrid (combination of 3 days in-person and 2 days of remote). UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59 pm MT on Friday, June 19. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

• Resume/CV (PDF format preferred)

• Questionnaire (to be completed within the application)

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive 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.

• 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.

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.

At NSF NCAR| UCAR | 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 and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

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 theway 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.