Job Description

Posting Information
Posting Number PG194236EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Director of the State Climate Office of North Carolina
Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate upon education & experience
Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department Sciences - State Climate Office
About the Department
North Carolina has a complex climate due to its three distinct regions: the mountains, the piedmont, and the coastal plain. Climate affects many aspects of our daily lives - agriculture, environment, transportation, tourism, and natural disasters. North Carolina is especially prone to the impacts of a warming climate, including sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and hotter temperatures. The State Climate Office of North Carolina was established in 1976, originally at UNC-Chapel Hill, and moved to NC State University in 1980. The mission of the State Climate Office (SCO) is to provide climate related services to the state, local and federal agencies, businesses and the citizens of North Carolina. In 1998, the UNC Board of Governors formally approved it as a Public Service Center.
The State Climate Office is located on NC State University's Centennial Campus, where private industries, government agencies, and University researchers come together and create a unique environment for interaction and advancement. The State Climate Office is a part of the College of Sciences and collaborates closely with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The State Climate Office is actively involved in research that enhances its capabilities to provide public service. The office specializes in research, monitoring, and education for climate-sensitive sectors across the state. North Carolina is at the frontline of climate change resilience, and the office is engaged in research projects that help North Carolinians understand their climate risk and adaptive capacity. The office has seen steady growth over the past decade, and receives funding from state and federal agencies. Additionally, the office runs the North Carolina ECONet, a network of 43 research-grade stations located statewide. The office hopes to place one station in each North Carolina county by 2030. While working in this unit, you will be expected to foster a supportive and welcoming environment.
NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State's land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution's mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
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Essential Job Duties
NC State University is seeking a visionary and service-driven leader to build on a legacy of scientific excellence and public impact to lead the State Climate Office of North Carolina. As Director, you will lead the Office in delivering trusted climate science and services in North Carolina, fostering cross-sector partnerships, working with communities, and providing vital tools that inform decisions across agriculture, emergency management, natural resources, public health, and beyond. This position also serves as the state climatologist of North Carolina.
The State Climate Office of North Carolina (NCSCO), one of the nation's largest and most active state climate offices, serves all 100 counties through its integrated mission of research, extension, and monitoring. With a strong record of collaboration with state and federal agencies, the NCSCO provides authoritative climate data, analysis, and decision support to advance understanding of risk and resilience-building statewide. The office has been recognized for its leadership during extreme events such as Hurricane Helene, for the development of innovative tools, including the Fire Weather Intelligence Portal, and for its support of educational and outreach efforts.
This position offers the opportunity to sustain and grow a respected UNC System Public Service Center that has played a pivotal role in supporting data-driven decision-making and building weather and climate resilience across the state. The successful candidate will expand on efforts such as the development of real-time data platforms, user-driven applied research, impact assessments, and communicating to various audiences about North Carolina's complex environment. A proven track record of applying weather and climate science to real-world challenges, securing collaborative partnerships including external funding, and delivering impactful outreach will be essential.
Primary responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership & Staff Mentorship (20%)

• Secure and steward extramural funding from state, federal, and private sources to sustain and expand the Office's mission and operations
• Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to SCO staff and students in advancing research, extension, and educational initiatives of statewide significance

Mesonet Operations & Data Stewardship (10%)

• Oversee the operation, enhancement, and long-term vision for the North Carolina Environmental Climate Observation Network (Mesonet), ensuring high-quality data collection, public accessibility, and permanent archiving

Climate Services & Public Communication (15%)

• Serve as a trusted voice on North Carolina's weather and climate, effectively communicating complex science to varied audiences, from policymakers and technical experts to the general public

Applied Research & Scientific Oversight (15%)

• Guide the delivery of climate information services, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevance to stakeholders across the state.
• Guide and oversee applied research initiatives, both internally, on campus, and across the UNC system, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and applicability

Fiscal & Administrative Oversight (10%)

• Oversee fiscal management and reporting, ensuring responsible budgeting and compliance with state and federal requirements, by working closely with the College Research Office and Department Business Officer

Innovation & Program Development (10%)

• Develop new ideas for outreach, service, research, extension, and engagement for the Center

Stakeholder Engagement & Outreach (20%)

• Represent the Office as a spokesperson in the media, providing credible, timely, and accessible insights on weather and climate issues of statewide and national relevance
• Advise and support local, state, and county agencies, providing authoritative expertise, data access, and research insights to inform policy, planning, and resilience efforts

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience

• PhD in atmospheric sciences or related field or M.S. with 10+ years experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• Ability to communicate weather and climate information and present ideas to different audiences
• Commitment to maintaining the strengths of the SCO and develop new opportunities for funding and support
• Experience supervising staff
• Experience managing budgets and financial records

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in working with and supervising staff involved in public outreach and service
• Ability to navigate discussions about complex topics in a respectful and collaborative manner
• Experience in applying climate data on a regional basis, especially in North Carolina or the Southeast
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrable record of securing extramural funding
• Publication record in professional journals

Required License(s) or Certification(s)
N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required Yes
Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date 09/29/2025
Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for at least three professional references.
Position Details
Position Number 00060660
Position Type EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0
Appointment 12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID 179501 - Sciences - State Climate Office
EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or .
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * * How did you learn of this opportunity?

• NCSU Website
• Job Alert (automated email from our system)
• NCSU Executive Search Services
• Monster.com
• CareerBuilder.com
• InsideHigherEd.com
• HigherEdJobs.com
• Other Online Job Board
• Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
• Job / Career Fair
• The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Professional Journal
• Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
• Radio / Television Advertisement
• Professional Organization
• Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
• Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
• NCSU Employee Referral
• Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
• Other
• If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

(Open Ended Question) * * This position requires a PhD in atmospheric sciences or related field or M.S with 10+ years experience. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No
• * Briefly describe any previous experience working with a climate research program or climate data.

(Open Ended Question) * * Please provide an example of a successful climate-related initiative or research effort you led. How did you measure its impact, and what adjustments did you make along the way to ensure its effectiveness in driving awareness or behavioral change?
(Open Ended Question) * * Please describe your experience managing staff or students in a professional environment.
(Open Ended Question)
Application Materials Required
Required Documents * Cover Letter

• Contact Information for References
• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

Skills Required