Job Details

Purchasing and Property Specialist, CIRES

Position Number: 6862240
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Purchasing and Property Specialist, CIRES

Requisition Number: 69572
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 26-Jan-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) actively seeks and encourages applications for a Purchasing and Property Specialist to join our finance team! The objective of this position is to facilitate research by providing high-quality purchasing services, property management, and other assigned accounting and administrative support to CIRES faculty, research personnel, and administrative staff. This position collaborates with CU's central offices, such as the Office of Contracts and Grants, Campus Controller's Office, Procurement Service Center, and Risk Management, to coordinate the Finance Office's research administration services, which encompass all financial aspects of sponsored and non-sponsored funding for the Institute.
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

At CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences, more than 900 people work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet. An institute at the University of Colorado Boulder, we have partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 1967. Our areas of expertise include weather and climate, wildfire and water, changes at Earth's poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our researchers work in 10 CU Boulder departments and eight NOAA laboratories and centers.

Our mission: Conduct innovative research that advances our understanding of the global, regional, and local environments and the human relationship with those environments, for the benefit of society.

Our vision: CIRES is an international leader in conducting cross-cutting environmental research of the highest quality while bridging fundamental science and service to society. We build leaders, scientists, communicators, and teams dedicated to developing sound and trusted information to address environmental challenges. We embrace a positive and inclusive culture, recognizing that CIRES thrives when our people do.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Purchasing (25%)

Use CU Marketplace, as well as the PSC website, to determine and implement appropriate purchasing or payment methods such as Procurement Card (PCARD), Payment Voucher, Payment Authorization, Purchase Order for purchasing goods or services, etc., in support of the CU mission. This includes working through interdepartmental processes with the Procurement Service Center, the Campus Controller's Office, CU Employment Services, the Office of Contracts and Grants, Human Resources, International Tax Office, etc.
Determine the necessary supplemental documentation (Official Function Form, ICT review, Sole Source Justification, Source Selection and Price Reasonableness (SSPR), Scope of Work, etc.).

Property Management (25%)

Maintain the CIRES database for CIRES-tagged and government-owned equipment.
Complete the annual government property inventory and the biennial inventory survey.
Tag new pieces of capital equipment, surplus items that are ready to be disposed of, and process property transfers.
Work with the Office of Contracts and Grants on bailment agreements and monitor their execution and returns.

Serving as Approving Official (25%)

Serve as CIRES Approving Official (AO) of Procurement Card Holders. This includes: monitoring and reviewing PCARD transactions routinely to assure complete documentation of all card transactions, and to ensure that all transactions are made in accordance with University regulations and sponsor requirements.
Monitor and reconcile transactions on clearing accounts and auxiliary speedtypes associated with the role as the AO and purchasing expert for CIRES.

Assistance with Payment Request and Providing Other Support (20%)

Assist with stipend payment requests.
Assist with honorarium payments.
Review and approve shopping carts from CIRES IT and CIRES Message Center, etc.
Assist with requesting new supplier registration.
Assist with requesting Scope of Work for individual service providers via CU Employment Services' web-based SOW form and monitor its completion and approval status.
Additional tasks assigned by the Finance Director or supervisor.

Back Up, Attending Trainings & Meetings (5%)

Back up other team members where needed.
Participate in campus or CU Systems' initiatives or working groups in the assigned functional areas and share those initiatives with the team.
Attend training about financial administration of research awards provided by campus, CU Systems, NCURA, funding agencies, etc.

What You Should Know

Work hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
During the initial training period, the Purchasing and Property Specialist will be expected be in-person up to 4 times per week. After the training period, this position will offer a hybrid work modality, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week of in-person work, following current CIRES and university guidelines and policies.

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this position is $55,100-$72,000. Relocation is available for eligible candidates.

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 effective. Be talented. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in a related field or a combination of education and experience.
One year of experience in Research Administration, finance, or post-award-management.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Suite, including MS Excel and Word.
Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and work independently.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment while upholding an outstanding standard of customer service, responsiveness, and willingness.
Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
Detail oriented.
Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team with varied strengths, fostering cooperation with other members of the administrative team and the campus community.
Ability to think creatively about workload and work structure to enhance efficiency and customer service, all while ensuring compliance.

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 January 26, 2025, 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/Purchasing-and-Property-Specialist-CIRES/69572