EPSCoR Communications and Outreach Strategist

EPSCoR Communications and Outreach Strategist

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26218

Position Number 4C4651

Position Information

Working Title:

EPSCoR Communications and Outreach Strategist

Brief Position Overview

The Montana NSF EPSCoR Communication and Outreach Strategist is responsible for leading, creating and implementing public information activities to serve the needs of and promote Montana’s currently funded statewide EPSCoR program, SMART FIRES (Sensors, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Real-Time Fire Science).

Department Division College of Education, Health & Human Development

Appointment Type Professional

FLSA Exempt

FTE 0.75

Salary $26.44 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type LOA

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

This is a staff member housed within the Science Math Resource Center in the Department of Education (College of EHHD) and funded solely by and working for the NSF EPSCoR grant called “SMART FIRES.” SMART FIRES is a statewide project of the Montana University System, but this particular position is based at Montana State University-Bozeman.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with project administrators, EPSCoR leadership team, and statewide collaborators to create, lead, implement and assess overall communications strategy to fulfill the requirements of the federally funded project.
• Create plans for communicating EPSCoR research findings and success stories with media, stakeholders, National Science Foundation, etc.
• Oversee undergraduate and graduate student interns who work to implement the communications strategy.
• Assist with compiling annual report narrative of impacts/highlights for federal agencies.
• Assist with communications to project-funded participants, including faculty, staff and students.
• Lead management of the EPSCoR website and social media channels, including content generation and updates.
• In coordination with University Communications, initiate, write and disseminate content that furthers the promotion of Montana NSF EPSCoR activities to internal and external audiences, including the National Science Foundation; local, state and national media; and university and external stakeholders.
• Lead the creation of printed and digital publications such as newsletters, flyers, rack cards, brochures, reports, etc., in coordination with University Communications.
• Serve as liaison with University Communications.
• Assist in the creation and delivery of professional development activities and resources for teachers.
• Lead logistical planning for workshops and events for youth, educators and other participants.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media or a STEM field with equivalent experience in communications, journalism or media.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience leading and implementing communications strategy.
• Demonstrated experience with reporting requirements and submissions for federally funded grants.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing, including capacity to communicate technical content for public audiences.
• Demonstrated experience with event planning, including top-level strategy and event-day logistics.
• Demonstrated experience creating and posting web content and managing websites using content management systems, such as Drupal and/or Word Press.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, media or a STEM field.
• Familiarity with NSF EPSCoR program and Montana’s SMART FIRES project.
• Basic familiarity with HTML and web accessibility standards.
• Experience teaching and/or creating resources for educators.
• Experience creating or contracting for high-quality photographs, video or other media assets.
• Connections and experience working with Montana stakeholder groups, such as legislature, non-profit agencies, Montana University System, etc.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Balance multiple time-sensitive projects at once while meeting deadlines.
• Work as part of a team with collaborators across the Montana University System.
• Work independently…