Background:

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a Science Communications Specialist with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

The Atlantic Ecology Division (AED) is a standalone division within the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory of the Office of Research and Development, and is located in Narragansett, Rhode Island.  Research at the AED focuses on ecological effects of human activities on coastal waters and watersheds of the Atlantic seaboard, with particular emphasis on effects of these activities on populations of fish, shellfish, and aquatic-dependent wildlife. The research is designed to improve the ability of the Agency, coastal States, and Tribes to monitor and assess ecological condition of coastal ecosystems, identify waters that have been damaged and to diagnose potential causes, and to develop predictive models of population responses and ecological conditions under varying combinations of stressors.  Within this context, AED supports the overall mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by conducting scientific research, providing scientific and organizational leadership, and supplying technical advice to EPA Program Offices and Regions. 

AED’s Science Communications Specialist communicates 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 local, regional, and national support for the Agency's research programs. Science communications is an essential and integral component of communicating AED's mission to provide sound science for environmental decision making.  AED’s Science Communications Specialist will provide support to local senior management and research staff at all stages of a communications activity. The student will work collaboratively with NHEERL and ORD’s Science Communications Teams, as well as its National Research Programs, to develop and implement communications programs and activities for ORD dissemination. 

AED’s science communication specialist coordinates, plans, develops, and reviews all communications products and coordinates their review and release with local staff, branch chiefs, Technical Information Manager, and Division Director.  

The student will primarily interact with the Division’s Associate Director for Program Operations who will provide assignments, guidance, and mentoring for the student. The student will also receive additional guidance from the Technical Information Manager and Division Director, and will be expected to interact with research staff to develop communication products for distribution to local, regional, and national outlets, including the local URI Bay Campus community, and outreach activities with other local academic institutions.

The student shall provide a variety of communications and outreach related support to AED.  Tasks include:

• Providing assistance in identifying, writing and editing science related communications materials including news releases, fact sheets, newsletter articles, web content, talking points, brochures and displays.
• Providing assistance in creating, reviewing and updating AED's online media sources including Internet and Intranet; with future development of blogs, Wikis, podcasts and social media (such as twitter and Facebook).
• Providing assistance with electronic media services such as taking photos and video to post online and for other communication materials.

This assignment will emphasize environmental science writing for online media and print products. It requires the ability to translate scientific information for the general public and requires strong project management skills. The student will have access to Government equipment, including computers and printers as needed to complete assignments.

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office setting.

Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage for hours worked at a rate of $18.24 per hour.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected Start Date: The position is part-time, up to 20 hours/week, and expected to begin in June 2015. The initial project is through November 19, 2015, and may be renewable up to 4 one-year optional periods.

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Be a current student with who has completed at least 2 years of college, preferably in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Physical Science, Communications, or related subjects, at an accredited university or college and
• Be a US citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident.

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

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

The applicant shall:

• Demonstrate education and/or experience in environmental science or related fields. 
• Demonstrate skills and have experience working in teams.
• Possess strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

It is desirable for the applicant to have:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), desktop publishing, and the Internet.
• Strong communication skills (i.e., written, oral, telephone etiquette, presentation abilities), including effective multi-media technical communications.
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills.
• Experience involving the management of research programs and/or scientific communication.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or Master's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (5 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a current college student with at least two years of coursework in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Physical Science, Communications, or related subjects; a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.