Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Science Communications Specialist - Berkeley Lab

https://lbl.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=76077

Science Communications Specialist-76077

Organization

:PA-Public Affairs

Description


Position Summary:

The Science Communications Specialist is responsible for independently developing high-profile editorial content for a variety of informational channels that showcases the value of Berkeley Lab science, research, and technology to specific audiences and to society at large.

Key Responsibilities:

Translate highly complex science—from physics and cosmology to nanoscience -- into lay friendly language for various high-profile communication outlets, including news releases, online news center, online newsletters, social media and related endeavors
Identify, pursue and write stories that build support for and awareness of Berkeley Lab
Spot topic trends and create storytelling opportunities that exploit what is happening in a national news context with a Berkeley Lab perspective
Cultivate media of all types through astute pitching of stories, diligent follow through and frequent interaction
Understand how to leverage content across different platforms and to different audiences by varying story length, level of difficulty and style of language
Knowledge of – and participation in -- engagement and awareness campaigns, particularly those with a clear call to action and metrics.
Maintain current awareness of scientific editorial practices, Berkeley Lab programs, and policies that affect current or future editorial projects.

Skills required to succeed:

Minimum 8 years of experience communicating science to various audiences or an equivalent combination of experience and Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Science, Communications, History, or related field
Proven ability to translate complex scientific research into understandable, lay friendly language
Understanding of and success in pitching and delivering science stories to the science media as well as shaping science stories so that they appeal to non-science media as well
Fluency with and appreciation for social media, with a track record in having contributed to successful engagement with online audiences
Experience with crisis communications and breaking news
Demonstrated success in contributing editorial expertise to and leveraging stories for online vehicles
Appreciation for the need to market science and evidence of having succeeded in shaping opinions of target audiences
Ability to interact successfully with scientists in different disciplines and to generate confidence in doing so
Willingness to work collaboratively within a “beat” system or as part of Public Affairs-wide teams, assume different responsibilities, and stay on deadline
Belief that science is a positive and hopeful force in society
Competence in the use of word processing software, communications software, and other ancillary software (such as graphics or database) needed to produce high-quality documents in the shortest possible time.
Proven ability to proofread highly technical and complex documents with an extremely high degree of accuracy.
Proven ability to work efficiently, collaboratively, and cooperatively as a member of a team.
Demonstrated ability to produce results in a timely fashion toward meeting desired results.
Ability to change priorities when necessary and to adjust levels of effort accordingly.


Marginal

MS/MA degree in communications or marketing


Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce.