Job Details

Assistant Director of the Center for Environmental Journalism

Position Number: 7012104
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Communications - Journalism

Assistant Director of the Center for Environmental Journalism

Requisition Number: 70680
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 31-Mar-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Center for Environmental Journalism (CEJ) in the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information at CU Boulder welcomes applications for the Assistant Director of the Center for Environmental Journalism position!
The Center for Environmental Journalism (CEJ), housed in the Department of Journalism, College of Communication, Media, Design and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder focuses on the professional development of working journalists, student education, and research on media, environment and society. Founded in 1992 and located in the heart of Boulder, the CEJ works to elevate journalistic coverage of environmental issues and strengthen public communication about the environment. The CEJ's goals include supporting professional development for environmental journalists, facilitating the production of high-quality environmental journalism, promoting environmental journalism education, advancing research on environmental journalism, and fostering thoughtful dialogue on environmental communication.
The CEJ invites applications for a full-time Assistant Director, who will serve as a key member of the center's leadership team. The Assistant Director will work with the CEJ Director to (1) lead CEJ programming, (2) liaise with a range of stakeholders (including scientists, faculty, university and college staff, former fellows, board members, and students), and (3) oversee internal operations. This is a senior staff position requiring deep experience in environmental journalism. The position will report directly to the CEJ Director and will supervise an administrative staff member as well as a graduate assistant.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) is at the forefront of the revolution in communication, digital technology, and design. CMDI prides itself on offering students an interdisciplinary education with a focus on innovation and creativity! Our students and faculty from seven departments think across boundaries, innovate around emerging problems and create culture that transcends convention.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Ted Scripps Fellowships Program

Recruitment, onboarding, and administrative support for fellows
Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and administrative support of fellows in tandem with the CEJ Director including:

Plan and implement promotion of the fellowship program to recruit applicants, paying particular attention to increasing the diversity of the applicant pool.
Coordinate and participate in the selection process for new fellows.
Ensure relevant hiring processes are followed and remain on track and that onboarding proceeds smoothly and on time.
Organize and coordinate orientation activities for new fellows and ensure that they are able to enroll as auditors in the courses they would like to take.
Provide support to the fellows throughout the year in all things related to employment, travel, and administrative matters.

Promotion

Plan communication budget for the center.
Prepare, produce and maintain effective internal and external communications for the center, including but not limited to advertising, coordinating ambassador programs, maintaining web and social media communications, and updating advisory board.
Liaise with the center's partners and stakeholders (e.g., other centers, institutes, programs, departments, schools, advisory board members, and former fellows) in promotion and communication activities.
Plan, coordinate and manage details related to events and activities.

Programming

Plan seminars, field trips, retreats, and other programming activities for fellows development throughout the year.
Plan and manage CEJ events including but not limited to panel discussions, lectures, fellowship graduations, receptions.
Work with the CEJ faculty director to develop and plan new CEJ activities throughout the year.
Advise fellows on their projects and professional development.

Budget Management

Work with the CEJ director on budget management and planning.
Track and ensure the center's spending hews to the annual budget plan approved by the center's board and university and CMDI policies.
Manage budget for fellowship activities.

Journalistic Work

Conduct professional journalistic work on environmental and science topics, such as reporting, reporting and researching towards publication in recognized media outlets.

CEJ Program Management

Management/Communication
Work with the CEJ Director to liaise with the university, college, department, and other stakeholders.
Manage the center's day-to-day operations.
Promote the work of the center to a variety of audiences including faculty, staff, and students on campus, alumni, board members, journalists, other organizations, and general audiences.
Work with CEJ director to create programs to involve graduate and undergraduate students in the work of the CEJ.
Work with CEJ director to propose new programs to expand the CEJ work.

Supervision

Support the development, performance and growth of professional and student staff of the center by exercising and maintaining a current knowledge of applicable state, university and college employment policies, processes, and expectations.

What You Should Know

Onsite position.
Relocation stipend offered based on departmental guidelines.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this position is -$80,000-100,000 annually. Relocation stipend may be offered based on departmental guidelines.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be engaged. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in Journalism or related field.
Five years experience as a professional journalist.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
Familiarity with and experience using Microsoft Office suite of applications.
Ability to manage logistics effectively in coordination with others.
Subject matter expert of a broad range of environmental subjects and a record of publishing related communications and/or journalism.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by March 31, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Assistant-Director-of-the-Center-for-Environmental-Journalism/70680