Program Manager III (STI/SDE) - NOAA

Job Details

Description

INNOVIM seeks a Program Manager III to support the National Weather Service’s Service Delivery Evaluation (SDE) Program within the Office of Science and Technology Integration (OSTI). The role involves coordinating social science research projects, guiding their transition into operational services, and ensuring that user feedback informs improvements to weather and climate products.

The position is based in Silver Spring, MD with a hybrid telework schedule.

Responsibilities

Project management and coordination

• Coordinate and execute SDE projects: manage timelines, resources and stakeholder communications for ongoing SDE initiatives; cultivate relationships with end users, operational personnel and interagency partners; track deliverables and risk mitigation using Smartsheet or comparable tools.
• Facilitate data collection and PRA compliance: assist researchers in preparing Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) packages for surveys and user studies; ensure adherence to OMB requirements for human subjects research and data privacy.
• Initiate and oversee research activities: design and launch studies using appropriate social science methodologies; gather primary and secondary data through interviews, surveys, focus groups and literature review; perform qualitative and quantitative analyses; synthesize findings into plain language reports for varied audiences.
• Manage program documentation and reporting: prepare quad charts, briefing materials and quarterly program review (QPR) presentations to communicate project status, budget execution and performance metrics to NOAA and NWS leadership.
• Schedule and facilitate meetings: organize regular project teleconferences, annual review sessions and transition plan meetings; draft agendas and meeting minutes; identify action items and track follow up.
• Support operational transition: assess the quality and readiness of SDE research for operations; prepare operational readiness briefing slides; develop transition plans aligned with NOAA’s research to operations framework; coordinate with numerical weather prediction (NWP) and user experience specialists to ensure products meet operational requirements and service delivery criteria.
• Provide general program support: respond promptly to data calls and taskers; assist branch and program leads in maintaining budgets, developing funding memos and reviewing research proposals; mentor interns and early career researchers participating in SDE projects.
  
  

Technical and social science expertise

• Apply knowledge of social science research methods (surveys, interviews, mixed methods analysis) to evaluate how weather and climate services are delivered and received.
• Collaborate with meteorologists, forecasters and communication specialists to interpret findings and recommend product improvements that enhance user understanding and decision making.
• Stay informed about NOAA’s Unified Forecast System (UFS), Service Delivery Evaluation guidelines and community best practices; ensure that research activities support NOAA’s strategic goals for user engagement and hazard mitigation.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in social science (e.g., sociology, psychology, communication studies), environmental science, business administration, project management or a related field. A background in interdisciplinary research is highly desirable.
• Experience: At least 5–15 years of experience providing programmatic and scientific support for research projects in government, academia or industry, including experience with social science research design, data collection and analysis, and program management.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in Smartsheet, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; familiarity with statistical software (e.g., R, Python, SPSS) or qualitative coding tools; experience managing budgets and preparing program documentation.
• Domain knowledge: Understanding of weather forecasting, numerical weather prediction or service delivery evaluation. Ability to translate technical findings into user focused recommendations.
• Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to present complex information to both technical and non technical audiences and to engage with senior executives, researchers and end users.
• Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain Public Trust clearance and comply with NOAA’s data governance and privacy policies.
  
  

INNOVIM is committed to providing superior work in the fields of science, engineering, data analytics and technology to government agencies. We offer competitive compensation packages, including comprehensive nationwide Medical/Dental/Vision insurance programs, life insurance, matching 401k contribution and Educational/Training support.