CIRES/Graphic Designer and Communications Specialist

CIRES 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 CIRES Communications team serves the institute's nearly 900 scientists, staff, and fellows, as well as our partner labs at NOAA's David Skaggs Research Center (DSRC) in Boulder. We produce science journalism, digital content, social media, publications, events, and visual media that connect CIRES research to the audiences who need it most. We are a collaborative, mission driven team that values creative excellence, scientific integrity, and institutional partnership.

Visual Design and Brand Leadership (~30%)

• Serve as the primary graphic designer for CIRES Communications, producing high-quality visual assets across print and digital channels, including publications, reports, infographics, posters, fact sheets, event materials, and social media graphics.
• Lead graphic design for CIRES's flagship print publication, Spheres magazine, and other long-form editorial and outreach publications, including layout, typography, image selection and editing, and coordination with print vendors.
• Inform and advance CIRES's branding strategy by developing and implementing design frameworks that enable CIRES labs, centers, and programs to demonstrate consistent visual alignment with the CIRES enterprise while preserving their individual identities.
• Lead a strategic redesign of the CIRES brand and logo, integrating alignment with University of Colorado Boulder brand standards and exploring how CIRES's identity can more clearly signal its role as a CU institute, while retaining the character and recognition the institute has built.
• Advance and maintain CIRES design templates, style guides, and brand standards documentation for internal and external use.

User-Centered Design for Science Communication Products (~20%)

• Apply design research and user-centered design methods — including contextual inquiry, partner interviews, workflow analysis, and iterative prototyping — to improve the effectiveness of science communication products developed across CIRES and its NOAA cooperative agreement labs (CIESRDS).
• Collaborate with scientists and program staff to understand audience needs, synthesize insights, and create communication interventions that activate existing resources, reduce complexity, and improve impact.
• Apply systems thinking and design strategy to map the CIRES research landscape — identifying intersections, gaps, and communication opportunities across research areas, tools, and people — to inform both communication strategy and institutional identity.
• Facilitate workshops and co-design sessions with CIRES researchers, fellows, and external partners to surface communication needs and co-develop solutions.

Training and Capacity Building (~20%)

• In alignment with CIRES Strategic Imperative #4 (Communications Community of Practice), develop and deliver regular trainings for CIRES researchers, staff, and fellows on graphic design fundamentals, visual storytelling, and available design tools — from professional platforms such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) to accessible, no-cost options such as Canva and Google Slides.
• Build peer-to-peer design literacy across the CIRES community, helping researchers create more compelling figures, posters, presentations, and data visualizations independently.
• Develop training materials, templates, and resources that extend the reach of design capacity-building beyond formal sessions.
• Engage CIRES faculty champions and research leaders (e.g., researchers working at the science-communications interface) to co-lead and sustain training programming over time.

Writing, Editing, and Publication Production (~15%)

• Write and edit content for CIRES publications, outreach materials, and digital channels, working independently to finalize written content without requiring input from a separate writer or editor in routine cases.
• Serve as a skilled copy editor and production editor for long-form publications, including Spheres magazine, ensuring accuracy, clarity, voice consistency, and publication-ready quality.
• Collaborate with CIRES Communications writers and editors on integrated publication workflows, contributing design and editorial judgment throughout the production process.

Cross-Institutional Collaboration and Strategic Communication (~15%)

• Partner with CIRES lab leads, program managers, and communicators to understand their design needs and deliver targeted support.
• Support the CIRES Director's Office and senior leadership with high-visibility design and communication needs, including briefing materials, presentations, and special projects.
• Contribute to the CIRES Communications team's broader strategic goals, including social media visual content, web graphics, photography support, and event materials.
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary. (Not to exceed 5%)

• This is a full-time, ongoing position, contingent on funding availability.
• The position is based in Boulder, Colorado, and will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. At least 2 days a week in-office presence will be required, with Wednesday being one of those mandatory in-person office days. In-person presence is required at CIRES for collaboration, trainings, and publication production workflows.
• Some domestic travel may be required for professional development, vendor coordination, or conference representation — typically less than 10% of time.
• This position does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future and is thus not available to candidates working in the U.S through a visa or work permit.
• This position does require access to NOAA federal facilities under federal clearance to effectively support CIRES scientists embedded at the DSRC.
• The CIRES Communications team operates in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects are essential.

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $58,292- $96,678. Salary will be commensurate with education and years of experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Some relocation funds are available for this position to off-set moving expenses following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• After an initial period of training, a hybrid modality will be offered for this position.
• CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
• Boulder 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 regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, art, design, visual communication, communication, environmental science, journalism, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in graphic design, with a portfolio demonstrating excellence in editorial design, branding, information design, and/or science communication visuals.
• Demonstrated experience leading or substantially contributing to long-form publication design (e.g., magazines, annual reports, multi-chapter reports, or equivalent).

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, with the ability to produce professional-quality work in each.
• Strong knowledge of typographic principles, color theory, layout design, and visual hierarchy as applied to both print and digital media.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific information visually for non-specialist audiences, balancing accuracy with accessibility.
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit independently, producing publication-ready content without requiring significant editorial support from others.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to work independently on publication-ready content across formats — including captions, headlines, introductions, sidebars, and long-form feature text — without requiring additional editorial oversight for routine work.
• Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet publication deadlines in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong knowledge of brand identity systems and the ability to develop, implement, and maintain visual standards across a complex, multi-program organization.
• Ability to facilitate design trainings, workshops, and co-design sessions with non-designers — communicating design concepts accessibly and building lasting capacity.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists, subject-matter experts, editors, and program staff across fields and career stages.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality in both visual and written work.

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.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in graphic design, with a portfolio demonstrating excellence in editorial design, branding, information design, and/or science communication visuals.
• Experience with user-centered design methods, design research, or design thinking frameworks — including contextual inquiry, team member interviews, iterative prototyping, or participatory design.
• Experience applying systems thinking or design strategy to organizational or institutional communication challenges.
• Expertise with science communication, environmental science, or federal research contexts (e.g., NOAA, NSF, DOE, or similar agencies or cooperative institutes).
• Experience designing accessible content for digital channels, including web graphics, social media visuals, and digital publications.
• Working knowledge of accessible, low-cost design tools — including Canva, Google Slides, or similar — with experience teaching or supporting non-designers in using these platforms.
• Photography skills, including the ability to capture and edit images for use in publications and web content.
• Experience working with professional print vendors, including file preparation, prepress review, and print quality oversight.
• Familiarity with basic CSS/HTML or web content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress) as applied to design production workflows.
• Familiarity with video production, motion graphics, or multimedia storytelling using tools such as Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro.
• Graduate degree or specialized training in design, communication, science communication, or a related field.