Help Enable the Future of Computing Research – Join CRA as a Program Associate

By Shar Steed – Originally posted on the CRA Bulletin

The Computing Research Association (CRA) seeks two highly-motivated individuals to join its staff as Program Associate or Senior Program Associate (depending on qualifications and experience). The positions involve work primarily with CRA’s Computing Community Consortium (CCC) subcommittee, which aims to catalyze the computing research community to pursue innovative, high-impact research. The CCC is run as a cooperative agreement between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and CRA.

Each position works closely with the Director of the CCC, the CRA staff, CCC Council members and members of the computing research community to ensure that the mission objectives of CRA and CCC are achieved in a timely and high-quality fashion. CCC Council members represent some of the brightest minds in computing research, helping set research directions and visions for the field and federal agencies that support it. Both positions will play a role in enabling that visioning.

The positions require an ability to execute on assigned tasks of varying complexity in a timely, on-deadline manner, often with significant autonomy. Creativity, organization, strong interpersonal and communications skills, time management, attention to detail, technical proficiency with CCC tools, and sound judgment are vital to success in these roles.

Senior Program Associate
The Senior Program Associate is responsible for writing, editing, and producing the majority of CCC communications for the computing research community, which includes white papers, visioning workshop reports, CCC proposals, blogs, language on the website, and social media content. This requires a general knowledge of computer science research and an ability to achieve a deep understanding of the various technical “hot topics” in computer science research that make up the CCC Task Forces.

The position also requires interactions with CCC constituents, including members of the research community and policy makers, to help foster a better understanding of CCC activities and provide CCC and CRA with a better understanding of the needs of its constituency.

The ideal candidate will also have strong familiarity with Federal science agencies – particularly NSF – and understanding of the merit review process. The candidate should have a clear understanding of how the research community works and be able to convey accurate, timely, and useful information to them. Because CCC is established as a cooperative agreement between NSF and CRA, having an understanding of how NSF operates and supports the community will be very important to the success of the candidate in this position.

This position reports to the Director of CCC.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Communications, Outreach and Engagement – Creating content on our social media accounts and blog to keep our community well-informed; updating and maintaining the CCC website; drafting and editing workshop reports and white papers for the community; and managing CCC’s report library (virtual and hard copy).
• Workshop Coordination – Managing aspects of workshop planning, execution, and follow through, which may include: managing correspondence with participants, scheduling calls with activity organizers, developing surveys for the workshop participants and analyzing their data, taking notes during workshops, and handling some logistical functions in support of the workshop.
• Supporting the CCC Mission – Includes working with Council members to support their participation in CCC activities and representing CCC at relevant policy/research meetings in the DC area.

The Senior Program Associate must have a Master’s degree in a science or technology field. Technical training in computer science or engineering is not required. The ideal candidate will have previous work experience and knowledge of the computing research community. An ability to travel to meetings, workshops, and conferences is required.

Program Associate
The Program Associate supports the mission of CCC with a focus on administrative and logistical matters, such as planning for meetings, visioning workshops, outreach activities, and committee support. The position also requires interactions with CCC constituents, including members of the research community and policy makers, to help those constituents engage with CCC effectively.

The position reports to the Director of CCC.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Workshop Coordination – Managing aspects of workshop planning, execution and follow through, which may include: managing participant lists, invites and event registration (using CVENT, G Suite, and/or Wufoo); facilitating the reimbursement process for participants; managing correspondence with participants; scheduling calls with organizers; taking notes during workshops; and other logistical functions in support of the workshop.
• Communications Outreach and Engagement – Maintaining the CCC website, posting content for the CCC blog, helping manage CCC social media, helping manage CCC’s report library (virtual and hard-copy), and supporting Council members engaged in CCC activities.

The Program Associate must have a bachelor’s degree. A degree in a science, technology, or policy field is preferred, but not required. Background/experience in computing is not necessary, but a willingness to broaden one’s awareness of the field is a must. An ability to travel to meetings, workshops, and conferences is required.

Both positions are full-time. CRA offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package, flexible telework accommodations, and opportunities for professional development.

CRA is a 501c3 non-profit and is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates for either position must email a cover letter and resume to employment@cra.org to be considered.