Communications Specialist

Overview

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Communications Specialist 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

Within ORD, the Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling (CEMM) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to measure and model contaminants in the environment, including research to provide fundamental methods and models needed to implement environmental statutes. The methods and models developed by CEMM are typically applied at the airshed, watershed and ecosystem level.  Within the CEMM Immediate Office, the Research Planning and Coordination Staff (RPCS) leads the planning, coordination, and accountability of research performed by the national lab. The staff consists of Assistant Laboratory Directors (ALDs) and senior staff which assist in the management of the laboratory and research programs. CEMM also has two Associate Directors (ADs) who provide the scientific leadership and oversee the health and ecology programs. 

Responsibilities

As a team member, you will provide support for a variety of special assignments and projects involving external and internal communications for CEMM, including developing 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 web 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 CEMM research. Write and edit communications materials for posting on EPA and CEMM 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 NERL Communications Lead and EPA Office of Public Affairs in providing media representatives with timely, accurate information about CEMM research. Write products for print and broadcast news media, and social media explaining the public health and environmental protection impact of CEMM research. Products include press releases, media advisories, press kits, Q & A’s, key messages, and other related products;
• Provide graphic design support for the lab including designing and laying out web pages, posters, brochures, conference display materials, fact sheets and PowerPoint presentations;
• Work with CEMM Communications Lead to develop a variety of communications materials explaining the public health and environmental protection impact of CEMM research, including articles for consumer publications, trade journal articles, communications plans, talking points, blogs, social media posts (for EPA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts), fact sheets, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, videos, etc.;
• Assist with event planning for lab 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 CEMM/EPA websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, or for using in PowerPoint presentations and posters;
• Perform special editing, writing and/or information-gathering assignments at the request of the Communications Team Lead; 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, the team member 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 the general public about science, environmental issues, public health concerns or other technical issues; and interviewing individuals to gather information for articles and
• Must be able to communicate in the English language in a proficient manner (verbally and in writing).

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 October 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 Journalism, English, Communications, Technical Communications or a 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.

Salary : $31 - $0