Coordinator, Outreach and Climate Data Science Education

Columbia University seeks a part-time Coordinator for Outreach and Climate Data Science Education. This temporary position (20 hours/week until 09/30/2025) involves supporting educational initiatives and community outreach within the LEAP Science and Technology Center. Responsibilities include coordinating data programs, integrating research with education, and managing various educational programs. Candidates should have a strong interest in climate and data science, though prior experience is not required.
• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 09/30/2025
• Hours Per Week: 20
• Salary Range: $70,000 to $76,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The National Science Foundation-funded Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) Science and Technology Center (STC), https://leap.columbia.edu/ , is a large multi-institutional initiative focused on improving climate projections using novel artificial intelligence techniques to enhance climate adaptation. LEAP invites applications for the position of Climate Data Science Education and Outreach Coordinator.

As an STC, LEAP emphasizes research, education, and knowledge transfer. While prior experience in climate and data science is not required, candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in both fields and a passion for expanding their understanding through educational initiatives and community outreach.

This part-time- 20 hours a week (grant-funded), 6-month position, with the possibility of renewal, reports to LEAP’s Managing Director. The Climate Data Science Education and Outreach Coordinator will support various activities within LEAP, with a specific focus on integrating LEAP’s research, data, and computational resources into educational and knowledge transfer (KT) initiatives.

Responsibilities

(40%) Data and Computation Coordination:
• Collaborate with KT and Education teams to design and implement data and computation programs that connect LEAP’s research with education and knowledge transfer efforts.
• Engage with researchers to facilitate their participation in LEAP’s Data and Computation programs.
• Coordinate LEAP’s Pangeo-related programs, including managing the Data Catalog:
• Promote and support the use of LEAP Pangeo by the research community and external stakeholders.
• Identify and engage potential partners and collaborators.
• Organize training events and create relevant materials.
• Oversee membership requests, onboarding, and ongoing user support.
• Manage infrastructure-related tasks, such as monitoring cloud costs and coordinating software updates.
• Communicate new features and updates to Pangeo users.

(40%) Research-Education Integration Programs Coordination:
• Assist in the planning and execution of various educational programs, such as Momentum Bootcamps, the Summer Institute, Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), and the Momentum Fellowship program.
• Coordinate outreach efforts to potential applicants and organize information sessions.
• Identify instructors, project owners, and mentors.
• Develop training materials and onboarding content.
• Manage the application and selection process.
• Oversee onboarding, orientation, and scheduling of program participants.
• Support professional development and social activities for participants.
• Collect and evaluate data on program outcomes.
• Support the organization of the Lectures in Climate Data Science series:
• Coordinate logistics for invited speakers, including collecting abstracts, bios, and titles.
• Provide on-site technical support during presentations.
• Assist with event logistics, including scheduling and coordinating speaker visits.

(20%) General Center administrative support:
• Assist with event planning, including securing event spaces, coordinating catering, room setup, and managing the event calendar.
• Handle service requests, such as facility reservations and guest access, in collaboration with relevant university offices.
• Provide onboarding support for visitors, interns, and research trainees.
• Coordinate scheduling for internal meetings and other center events.
• Perform additional administrative tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and 2-4 years’ experience required.
• Computing and productivity skills required: Google Suite, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Excellent oral, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills required.
• Accuracy, thoroughness, attention to detail, and ability to exercise exceptional judgment are essential.
• Must be able to identify priorities within multiple assignments in a high-pressure, short-deadline environment and be able to work independently with diplomacy and efficiency in such an environment.
• Must be a team player and able to effectively interact with all levels of faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
• Strong interest in climate science, data science, and educational outreach.
• Ability to manage and organize multiple tasks and programs.
• Must be able to work in person and remotely as needed.
• Applicants should be highly motivated, professional, detail-oriented, creative, and eager to take initiative.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience with event planning and coordination is a plus.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications
• A strong interest in climate, data, and artificial intelligence is preferred but not required.
• Experience with LEAP Pangeo, LEAP’s modern data cloud computing infrastructure for data climate science research, is preferred.
• Basic data analysis skills in Python.
• Basic experience in the Pangeo stack (Jupyter, Xarray).
• Basic experience with GitHub, database management, and REST API.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.