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The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Environmental Journalist position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

What the EPA project is about

The ORD science communications staff communicate the results and outcomes of EPA research to stakeholders, promotes a broad public understanding of the science that is used to make environmental decisions, and builds national support for the Agency’s research programs. Science communications is an essential and integral component of communicating ORD’s mission to provide sound science for environmental decision making.

EPA ORD communications staff provide strategic support to senior leaders and staff at all stages of a communications activity or issue. The Science Communications Team in ORD works collaboratively with its National Research Programs, Labs, Centers and Offices to develop and implement communications programs and activities for ORD.

ORD science communication staff coordinate, plan, develop and review all communications products and coordinate their review and release with EPA’s Office of Public Affairs.

What experience and skills will you gain?

As a team member, you will provide support for a variety of special assignments and projects involving external and internal communications for the ORD Communications Team, including developing communication plans, science features, news releases, web content, social media, video and still photography, and graphic design. There will be a heavy emphasis on environmental science writing for digital and print products. The team member will have access to government equipment, including computers and printers as needed to complete assignments.

Based on assignments received, the team member will:

• Assist with development of internal and external web content explaining the public health and environmental protection impact of ORD research. Write and edit communications materials for posting on EPA and ORD Internet and Intranet sites. Web products include science features, research summaries, online newsletters, program overviews, Q & A’s, researcher bios, and web videos. External web content shall be written so it is engaging and understandable to the general public;
• Assist ORD Communications Leads and EPA Office of Public Affairs in providing media representatives with timely, accurate information about ORD research. Write products for print and broadcast news media, and social media explaining the public health and environmental protection impact of ORD research. Products include press releases, media advisories, press kits, Q & A’s, key messages, and other related products;
• Provide graphic design support for ORD including designing and laying out web pages, infographics, posters, brochures, conference display materials, fact sheets and PowerPoint presentations;
• Work with ORD Communications Leads to develop communication strategies that include a variety of communications materials explaining the public health and environmental protection impact of ORD research including articles for consumer publications, trade journal articles, communications plans, talking points, blogs, social media posts (for ORD’s s Twitter and Facebook accounts and amplification for EPA’s main, Regional and Program social media accounts that also include Instagram and pinterest), fact sheets, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, videos, infographics etc.;
• Responsible for assisting with the planning and development of strategic social media and digital initiatives based upon the Office of Research and Development’s (ORD) work for EPA social media accounts with an emphasis on the ORD’s social platforms.  The student contractor will make recommendations for SM innovative and timely tactics and approaches; be responsible for social media benchmarking, monitoring and analysis of social media trends and impact. The student contractor should be prepared to fact-check with subject matter experts for content to respond to questions via social platforms. The candidate should take initiative to propose campaigns and options for social media compliments to ongoing traditional media outreach and efforts in ORD;
• Assist with event planning for ORD participation in conferences, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and other public events. This includes preparation of posters and other display materials, development of science demonstrations and PowerPoints, and development of fact sheets and other communications materials that explain the impact of EPA’s research;
• Take photos and videos of our scientists and science projects acceptable for posting to ORD/EPA websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or for using in PowerPoint presentations and posters;
• Perform special editing, writing and/or information-gathering assignments at the request of the ORD Communications Leads; and
• When appropriate, prepare and maintain electronic records of background information (e.g., literature citations and summaries), formal communications materials (e.g., M.S. Word documents, PowerPoint presentations), and images used in communications materials (e.g., digital photos, and Illustrator and Photoshop files). Background information, images, data and written information prepared under this Statement of Work will be the property of EPA.

The team member will perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, you will maintain careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks. These notebooks and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All necessary instructions and training will be provided by the EPA mentor. The team member may be expected to participate in conferences and seminars in support of this Statement of Work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Previous work or volunteer experience writing for general audiences about science, environmental issues, public health concerns or other technical issues;
• Experience interviewing individuals to gather information for articles;
• Experience with graphic design; and
• Experience communicating in the English language in a proficient manner (verbally and in writing) and have outstanding written communications skills as demonstrated by a writing sample.

Location: This job will be located EPA’s facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $22.91 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin April 2023. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The option year renews May of each year through May 14, 2025.

For more information, contact EPANSSC@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Journalism, English, Communications, Technical Communications or other related field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and
• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Journalism, English, Communications, Technical Communications or other related field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months; a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States of America; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.