Communications Officer for the
New Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) National Communications Office
Description
The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis is seeking a
seasoned science communications professional to help lead the new LTER
National Communications Office in Santa Barbara, California. This is a
great opportunity to shape the communications effort across the 25 sites
of the LTER Network!
The National Science Foundation's LTER Program was established in 1980
to study ecological processes operating on decadal-to-century time
scales. The program now includes a network of 25 diverse sites and
engages thousands of researchers and students. The mission of the newly
created LTER National Communications Office (LNCO) is to foster and
coordinate research, education, and outreach activities across the LTER
Network. The LNCO Chief Communications Officer will lead LNCO
communications activities to enhance awareness and understanding of LTER
research and applications both within the LTER community and across
diverse constituencies and stakeholders.
Job Description:
This individual will have lead responsibility for developing and
coordinating communications across the LTER network, will serve as the
point of contact between the LNCO and LTER community, supervise
communications and outreach staff and interns, and work with the LNCO
Director and other team members to ensure that all communication
functions of the LNCO are operating efficiently and effectively. Key
audiences for communications and synthesis efforts include: LTER network
of scientists, NSF funding officers and LTER governance, the scientific
community at large, and the public.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and maintain close working familiarity with the LTER network
of scientists and key stakeholders;
• Collaborate in development and implementation of a high-impact LNCO
communications strategy;
• Promote the mission and research and education accomplishments of the
LTER network;
• Train and supervise 3-4 part time professional graduate science
communication interns who will assist in communication activities;
• Oversee design and implementation of an LNCO website, develop website
content, oversight of Twitter and other social media;
• Cultivate and coordinate media outreach and placement;
• Collaborate with staff at LTER sites to develop communication and
promotional materials for the LTER Network;
• Coordinate communications efforts and foster collaboration with and
among LTER sites, and with the broader research and education community;
• Collaborate in use of innovative virtual interaction strategies to
enable communication and strengthen relationships among LTER sites;
• Evaluate the success and efficacy of communication materials and
strategies;
• Support outreach and education events and general program promotion.
• Collaborate with other LNCO lead staff in research, education and
training; and program evaluation.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Four or more years as a communications professional, or comparable
relevant experience;
• Demonstrated effectiveness in media, journalism, communication, public
relations, social media, or other related field, proven success with the
high profile media;
• Demonstrated ability to organize information (e.g., web content) in a
way that is both aesthetically pleasing and enhances accessibility and
usability;
• Expertise with internet-based communication technologies, including
social media, new platforms for science publishing, video conferencing,
web-based streaming, and web discussion platforms;
• Familiarity with standard document, graphic design, publishing, and
web content management software.
Additional Qualifications:
• Familiarity with ecological science and environmental issues;
• PhD or Masters degree in science communication, environmental
communication, science journalism, environmental science or a related field;
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills and interest in
building broad collaborations;
• Ability to manage several projects/tasks at the same time;
• Able to work well with a wide range of constituencies, including
governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, industry, and
communities;
• Able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively;
• Ability to translate complex scientific information and concepts to a
variety of audiences, including the general public
Requirements
Please apply online at https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/apply/JPF00539. You
will need your most recently updated curriculum vitae, cover letter and
three references (contact information only)
--
LeeAnne French, MESM
Deputy Director Science for Nature and People (SNAP)
Director of Programs
National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS)
University of California, Santa Barbara
[email protected]
805-893-7551
