Science Communication & Interpretation Specialist

Science Communication & Interpretation Specialist

The mission of William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) exhibits leadership in integrated coastal zone management through innovative estuarine and coastal watershed science and education programs that promote natural-resource stewardship and science-based solutions to complex socioecological challenges. The Science Communication & Interpretation (SC&I) Specialist supports the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS/W&M) by developing, coordinating, and delivering science interpretive programs with emphasis placed on Reserve topical themes of interest, experiential and placed-based learning, including the four Reserve components.

Additionally, the position supports development, maintenance, and leveraging of Reserve focused communications and target audiences in alignment with the Reserve's strategic plans and evolving programmatic needs. The position serves as the Reserve's lead for interpretive programming and communications while partnering closely with the VIMS Education, Outreach, and Communications team to ensure consistency, coordination, and alignment of public-facing educational and interpretive initiatives across the Batten School and VIMS.

Job Description:

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in environmental, aquatic/marine science, or related field required. Professional certifications and/or minor in environmental education, science communication, or interpretive media enhance qualifications.

Competencies :

• Environmental science knowledge in key areas (e.g., understanding ecosystems and biodiversity, human-environment interactions, ecosystem stressors such as climate change, conservation principles etc.)
• Field and lab skills to support development and implementation of program elements (for example, environmental monitoring and habitat assessment)
• Quantitative literacy to support data analysis required for technical information products/visualizations for communicating results
• Strong skills/abilities in oral, written, and social media communications, including the ability to understand and translate complex scientific information to varying audiences
• Program evaluation skills to assess interpretive program impact and audience learning preferences
• Ability to effectively organize and facilitate diverse stake-holder meetings, developing and maintaining professional networks
• Ability to work across various/multiple digital platforms and presentation tools to deliver content
• Strong audience engagement skills to support various program elements (e.g., field & facility exhibits, interpretative walks) and foster audience participation
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and survey software.

Experience:

• Demonstrated work experience in science communication and environmental interpretive programs
• Demonstrated interpretive creativity and product development
• Demonstrated experience/knowledge of digital platforms
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis and technical writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

Master's degree in environmental, aquatic/marine science, or related field required. Professional certifications and/or minor in environmental education, science communication, or interpretive media enhance qualifications.

Competencies:

• GIS mapping, coding (e.g., r, python)

Experience:

• Grant writing and performance reporting

Salary- up to $64,000.00 commensurate with experience

Conditions of Employment:

• Hold or have ability to hold Virginia driver's license.
• Occasional night and weekend travel as required to meet job responsibilities.
• This is a restricted position, subject to the continued availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Science Interpretive Program Administration & Leadership. (10%)

• Serve as the principal lead for Reserve interpretive community education programming and as such, contribute to strategic planning through annual and multi-year CBNERR-VA management and action plans
• Initiate and collaborate on the development and submission of sponsored grant and contract proposals, and other funding opportunities to secure resources that advance CBNERR-VA community engagement and broader impacts of Reserve programmatic units;
  Complete and submit required grant/contract…