United By Nature Program Specialist

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

EarthLab at the University of Washington has an outstanding opportunity for a Program Specialist to support the United By Nature Initiative.

The United By Nature Initiative (UBNI) will provide a holistic picture of the state of nature, the many changes that are underway, and how nature matters to our lives. The UBNI will allow us to better understand where we stand now and anticipate how nature and its benefits might change in the future. The UBNI will identify opportunities for nature to help us achieve our societal and economic goals and will be a vital tool for governments, businesses, communities, and leaders across sectors. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

EarthLab ( is a visionary institute at the University of Washington taking equitable action on climate change. At our core, we are a dynamic hub of programs, organizations, event spaces, and collaborative activities that are grounded within the UW College of the Environment. We develop programs that connect the incredible resources at the UW - including the passion and talent of our students - as well as partners in community, public agencies, and industry to create new knowledge and take collective action. We also provide collaborative resources and capacity building services to other research centers and initiatives within UW, such as the United By Nature Initiative, in addition to grantees, students and external community partners.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the UBNI Deputy Director, the Program Specialist will be a core part of the UBNI team, working closely with the other members of the team and EarthLab staff. Key areas of responsibility include supporting development of a scientific assessment by author teams and supporting UBNI communications and engagement.

The position requires strong expertise and technical skills and experience supporting complex programs and teams. The Program Specialist has the ability to build and maintain coalitions internally and externally that achieve common goals across multiple non-governmental and governmental institutions and with a wide range of partners. They have an understanding of interactions between science and policy and are experienced with regional and national environmental programs and regulations.

The Program Specialist identifies problems, oversees the implementation of appropriate methodologies, and conducts information acquisition, reduction, and presentation. The Program Specialist will be expected to represent the program nationally at public events and/or symposia. The Program Specialist supports and coordinates multiple interacting components of a large, complex program (the United by Nature Initiative), including large teams of interdisciplinary scientists working to produce a national assessment of nature.

This is a full-time, professional staff position. Work can be conducted remotely within the United States and may entail occasional travel depending on budget, need and ability.

Key Responsibilities

Function area 1: Manage and support interdisciplinary research teams

• Regularly engage with program participants, providing information and advice to teams regarding project and program content, policies and activities

• Ensure program policies are adhered to

• Monitor team activities in relation to existing program guidance and policies under complex timelines

• Support participant meetings, perform complex scheduling, track program progress

Function area 2: Support the production of existing syntheses, assessments, and other research projects

• Support program participant engagement with external technical units

• Track revisions, manage large bibliographies, coordinate graphic development

• Manage and maintain program assets, such as reference libraries and glossaries

Function area 3: Externally represent the program

• Attend and/or coordinate meetings, conferences, and/or public engagement events as program representative

• Support development, production, procurement of materials and supplies

• Conduct complex scheduling for multiple program participants, internal and external

Function area 4: Develop internal and external communications

• Write program-wide communications about internal policies

• Develop summaries of program products for external audiences

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensure integration and coordination across interdisciplinary research teams and between research teams and external audiences and stakeholders (5%)

• Identify opportunities to improve internal systems and organizational effectiveness (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and/or Policy, or a related field AND

• 1-2 years' work experience related to program administration, operations management, or related field of work.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating multiple interdisciplinary research teams

• Experience working at the federal level, including on assessments, science and technology policy, or similar

• Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills, including the ability to successfully execute detailed projects and processes; prioritize projects or deliverables; and carry out multiple tasks under tight deadlines

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$54,204.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$71,184.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives - on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer ( . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law ( .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.