Part Time, Program Manager for Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments

Details

Posted: 2026-06-07

Location: Berkeley, California

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 106819

Berkeley Lab's Earth & Environmental Sciences Area (EESA) is a premier Earth sciences research organization where scientists are tackling some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of the 21st Century in order to enable sustainable stewardship and use of the Earth's resources. We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and collaborative Program Manager to provide strategic operational and programmatic leadership for several flagship U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER) programs, including the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiments (NGEE-Tropics and NGEE Arctic), the AmeriFlux Management Project, and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science (TES) Science Focus Area.

These nationally recognized, multi-institutional research programs address some of the most pressing scientific challenges related to climate, ecosystems, and Earth system processes.

Reporting to the Climate & Ecosystem Sciences Division (CESD) Operations Lead, you will partner closely with world-class scientists and Principal Investigators to help shape and execute complex research programs that span multiple institutions, disciplines, and stakeholders. As a trusted member of the leadership team, you will play a central role in coordinating proposal development, project planning, budgeting, reporting, subcontract management, meetings and workshops, communications, and overall program operations.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing people together, solving complex organizational challenges, and enabling scientific teams to succeed. You will collaborate with researchers, operations professionals, partner institutions, and federal sponsors to ensure projects are delivered effectively, strategically, and in compliance with sponsor requirements. Success in this role requires exceptional organizational and communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and mission-driven environment. The level of independence and responsibility will align with the Program Manager classification (PM1 or PM2).

What you will do, at Level 1:

• Stakeholder and team communications: Serves as an important liaison between EESA leadership, DOE program managers, collaborating institutions, and project teams.
• Program Operations & Strategic Support: Partner with the PIs to understand their business needs and provide recommendations pertaining to operations activities; oversee the programmatic administrative activities to ensure provision of timely and effective support, including meetings and events, personnel activities, and other program initiatives.
• Proposal Development: Coordinate and manage proposal creation and submission, interfacing with PIs, EESA management, and resource analysts to validate that requirements for document assembly, content review, and submission are in compliance with the guidance provided by the funding source or by collaborators (e.g., DOE, other federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, or private industry).
• Progress Tracking, Reporting and Compliance: Track project milestones, and deliverables. Create concise and logical scientific technical project progress reports as required. Report generation may require a synthesis of data from a variety of sources - including publications, science highlights, deliverables, datasets, modeling metrics - into a concise summary or conclusion for use by the PIs and/or submission to federal agencies.
• Budget and Finances: In collaboration with Resource Analysts, utilize institutional systems to assist with tracking budget/spending and providing PIs with routine financial reports and occasional special reports.
• Subcontracts management: Following general guidelines for assessing financial status of subawardees, manage encumbrances and make recommendations for subawardee funding increments. Coordinate and process subcontract requisitions with the Procurement Department and EESA matrixed Financial Staff. Coordinate process for subawardee milestones and deliverables via quarterly newsletters.
• Field Site Safety & Property Management: Support field site safety and fieldwork coordination, property and equipment tracking, and site closeout activities to ensure compliance and effective stewardship of program resources.
• Recruitment and Hiring: Work closely with the CESD Sr. Advisor, and HR Center staff to help plan and coordinate the recruitment and onboarding of new positions into the Program and related projects.
• Meetings/Events: Oversee the full range of event coordination and management, which may include travel. Develop and track schedules and oversee a variety of deliverables; such as scientific presentations, posters, and media materials.
• Program Communications: Help maintain program visibility through websites, outreach materials, and communications platforms. Monitor and maintain/update the content for project websites and intranet.

In addition to above, Level 2:

• May supervise support staff and lead the work of junior Program Managers or Analysts.
• May interact with other institutions to develop reporting and subcontract arrangements.
• Will exercise independent judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

Desired Responsibility:

• In collaboration with EESA Operations Team, ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness of operational processes for the Area and the Program.
• This position may act as a work lead, including training of EESA operations staff.
• Work on other assignments as assigned, such as proposal development activities and special Area initiatives.

We are looking for, at Level 1:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 2-5 years of experience in program administration, project coordination, planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency with business and productivity software, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, calendar management tools, email platforms, and enterprise business systems.
• Working knowledge of project planning, budgeting, scheduling, resource coordination, and information tracking.
• Experience providing programmatic and operational analysis to support organizational goals and decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and accountability.
• Experience preparing, organizing, and maintaining technical or scientific reports, documentation, and related materials.
• Proven ability to work independently, establish priorities, manage multiple responsibilities, and exercise sound judgment within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated success managing competing deadlines and delivering high-quality work in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong editing and proofreading skills, with attention to grammar, style, clarity, and overall document quality.
• Experience using institutional or enterprise systems (such as FMS, Cognos, eSRA, or similar platforms) to support proposal submissions, budget development and tracking, spend plan management, and financial reporting.
• Advanced technical proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, websites, databases, and other business applications.

In addition to above, Level 2:

• Bachelor's degree/advanced degree in a related field and/or equivalent training experience with preferably a minimum of 5 years work experience with increasing responsibility in program administration and planning.
• Experience with software systems e.g., Google, Microsoft Suite, and various calendar and e-mail systems, and business enterprise systems.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Demonstrated leadership, motivational, and team-building abilities.
• Familiarity with WordPress or other website development platforms for minor webpage edits desirable.
• Familiarity with LBNL policies, procedures, and practices in relationship to program operations analysis.

Additional information:

• Appointment type: This is a part-time (50%), career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: Level 1: The expected prorated annual salary for this position is $52,134 - $63,720, which fits into the full salary of $46,338 - $78,204 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience. Level 2: The expected prorated annual salary for this position is $64,320 - $79,100, which fits into the full salary of $57,162 - $96,468 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites.
• Multi-level Posting: This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.