Under the direction of the California Sea Grant Director, the Science Communications Specialist works to raise awareness of California Sea Grants (CASG) research, education, and outreach programs. This involves working in many different capacities to highlight the program and its initiatives including research, education, funding and fellowship opportunities, events, and program milestones. The incumbent will serve as the primary science writer and editor for CASG, coordinating the work of contract science writers, graphic designer(s), and communications fellows and interns for the writing, posting, publishing, and distributing of newsletters, project summaries, and profiles, and press releases.

The incumbent searches out, prioritizes, reports on, writes, and pitches stories on California Sea Grants research, extension, outreach, and education activities, conducts interviews, and arranges for photography, video, or graphics to accompany news releases.

The Science Communications Specialist contributes to social media efforts to create compelling multi-media content that further tells the story of the programs scientific research, outreach, and education work. This position also provides analysis of communications activities and contributes to program-level reporting to funders and partners. High-quality, high-volume work under a deadline is consistently required.

• Minimum of two to five (2 - 5) years experience performing writing, marketing and PR duties in an agency, journalism, or other fast-paced environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Thorough knowledge of the concepts and principles of news, media communications, and media relations.

• Proven skills in understanding and effectively utilizing all news/media mediums, including broadcast news, the internet, social media, and other emerging technologies.

• Thorough knowledge of the location, achievements, mission, vision, goals, objectives, programs, and infrastructure.

• May require knowledge of specialty areas such as broadcast news, including TV/radio, internet and other emerging technologies.

• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including a strong sense of a good story and understanding of the topics that may interest various publics and will incorporate key location messages.

• Demonstrated skill in completing projects that require a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with staff teams.

• Ability to understand, explain and summarize complex concepts and to share them in clear, jargon-free language that is both scientifically accurate and accessible to lay audiences.

• Strong general knowledge of science, the scientific method, and familiarity with marine science or other environmental fields.

• Experience professionally using social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, online forums, and blogs. Demonstrated results in utilizing new social media tactics that resulted in high engagement.

• Experience writing compelling copy that is targeted to specific audiences via various outlets, including social media, websites, email marketing, video, printed brochures and publications, websites, emails, talking points, articles, and reports.

• Demonstrated intermediate knowledge of marketing disciplines and concepts.

• Knowledge of publishing, image handling, and web production computer applications.

• Thorough knowledge of appropriate editorial style and publication guidelines. Skill in proofreading, editing, content style, flow, and tone of informational materials.

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.
• Occasional non-standard hours are required to meet deadlines.
• Required to attend occasional evening and weekend events.
• Occasional out-of-town travel is required.
• Confidentiality is a condition of employment due to access to sensitive materials found in proposals.

Job offer is contingent on successful engagement in the UC COVID-19 Vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral).

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