Communications Specialist at EPA

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-NSSC-0005-54
How to Apply

Click HERE to apply. 

Description

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Communications Specialist at EPA 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 Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) provides the science needed to understand the complex interrelationship between people and nature in support of assessments and policy to protect human health and ecological integrity.  Within CPHEA, the Public Health and Environmental Systems Division (PHESD) focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy and safe communities. 

As part of their mission, PHESD supports EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment by developing and applying innovations in exposure science. Exposure science sets the context for understanding and solving real-world problems. A component of the organization’s research portfolio is the EnviroAtlas (www.epa.gov/enviroatlas). EnviroAtlas provides interactive tools and resources for exploring the benefits people receive from nature or "ecosystem goods and services". Ecosystem goods and services are critically important to human health and well-being, but they are often overlooked due to lack of information. Using EnviroAtlas, many types of users can access, view, and analyze diverse information to better understand the potential impacts of various decisions.

What experience and skills will you gain?

Our interdisciplinary EnviroAtlas Team has created data, tools, and a website comprising EnviroAtlas. Critical to the success of EnviroAtlas has been the communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement undertaken by the team. These outreach activities include the development of website content that can reach a broad audience, the development of training materials, use cases, newsletters, and presentations, targeted outreach to specific user groups, and conducting surveys.

As a team member, you will gain experience providing support for a variety of tasks involving communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement for EnviroAtlas. The team member will learn about the importance of geospatial data in research and decision-making. The team member will also 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 EnviroAtlas web content. This includes creating material demonstrating EnviroAtlas resources in a decision or research context, videos, fact sheets, and maintaining existing content. Web content will be written so it is engaging and understandable to the public 
  • Engage with EnviroAtlas stakeholders to gather feedback and help them use EnviroAtlas resources 
  • Provide graphic design support including designing engaging infographics, posters, brochures, conference display materials, fact sheets and PowerPoint presentations 
  • Work with the EnviroAtlas Team to develop and implement effective communication strategies  
  • Assist with the development of social media releases within the framework of the Office of Research and Development’s guidelines. 
  • Assist with event planning for conferences, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and other events. This includes development and presentation of science demonstrations and PowerPoint slides, and development of fact sheets and other communications materials that explain the impact of EnviroAtlas 
  • Develop EnviroAtlas training and educational materials 
  • Assist with internal and external team communications 

The team member will perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, the team member will maintain careful and accurate records in designated digital 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 education or work, or volunteer experience writing for general audiences about science, environmental issues, public health concerns or other technical issues; 
  • Previous experience working as part of a team; 
  • Experience speaking to an audience such as demonstration of web-based applications or giving presentations;
  • Experience communicating in the English language in a proficient manner;
  • Outstanding written communications skills as demonstrated by a writing example;
  • Outstanding verbal communications skills giving public-facing webinars, trainings, and demonstrations; and
  • Excellent organizational skills.
     

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

  • Experience with the development of web content such as creating web pages in either HTML or a content management system or creating text or graphics for social media; and
  • Experience with geospatial data and technology (e.g., EnviroAtlas, StoryMaps, GeoPlatform, EJSCREEN, ESRI Living Atlas, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online).
     

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 $30.76 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 November 2022. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The contract renews each May through 2025.

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

Qualifications
  • Be at least 18 years of age and
  • Have earned at least a master’s degree in Environmental Science, Social Science, Geography, Science 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.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
  • Overall GPA: 2.00
  • Discipline(s):
    • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
Affirmation

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a master’s degree in Environmental Science, Social Science, Geography, Science 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.

Click HERE to apply. 

ORAU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability); visit the ORAU website for required employment notices.


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