Public Engagement Programs Manager
Who we are:
The American Physical Society (APS) is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents over 55,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world. Society offices are located in College Park, MD (Headquarters), Ridge, NY, and Washington, D.C.
Position Summary:
The public engagement program manager is primarily responsible for managing APS public engagement activities, including PhysicsQuest, social media platforms, and projects to support APS members who conduct public engagement and outreach.
A Typical Week May Look Like This:
- Develop and facilitate impactful public engagement related activities for members at national meetings and for the public or educators at national conferences
- Implement evaluation and track metrics on public engagement initiatives
- Creates and coordinates the development of resources for APS members involved in public engagement, including workshops, online resources, and printed materials
- Manage social media strategy for public engagement initiatives
- Suggest and implement policies that improve project outcomes
- Coordinate drafting and submission of formal project reports to funding agencies and project oversight
- Collaborates with Head of Public Engagement to pursue new initiatives aligning with the APS and Public Engagement strategic plans
- Coordinate drafting and submission of formal project reports to funding agencies and project oversight
- Manage sub awards and contracts by writing agreements, monitoring progress, reviewing outcomes, and ensuring that funder requirements are met
- Manage and track project budgets and approve invoices
- Meets all objectives, deliverables, and deadlines associated with assigned projects
- Works collaboratively with program manager time and project teams
- Supervises summer interns, consultants and contractors when necessary
- Write and edit articles, brochures, project reports, and web-based materials
- Organize project materials, data, and policies in accessible ways
- Facilitate events and meetings through management of task lists, agendas, and outcomes
- Coordinate with communication department to create graphics and materials
- Develop and manage project work plans
- Other duties as assigned
Is This You:
- Masters in physics or related discipline, or equivalent experience OR Bachelor's in physics or a related discipline plus two years of experience
- Experience developing social media strategy and evaluating its effectiveness
- Experience providing professional development with public engagement initiatives
- Familiarity with issues affecting the physics community through direct experience with science research and outreach, and an ability to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders in the physics community
- Experience in organizing events and writing complex reports and promotional materials
- Able to manage multiple complex tasks, and to jump quickly between these projects as timelines demand
- Must be able to work independently and recognize critical issues or decisions that require deliberation based on complex interactions between project participants and stated policies
- Must have ability to take initiative in identifying and responding to issues as they arise. Strong polished interpersonal skills needed
- Customer service orientation desired
- Ability to resolve conflicts constructively, and to empathize and understand perspectives of others
- Computer skills and high level of proficiency in standard office software are essential
- Strong organization, documentation, and prioritization skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to quickly changing schedules
- Ability to work well with interdepartmental teams as well as independently
Our Mission:
To advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics for the benefit of humanity, promote physics, and serve the broader physics community, we:
- Provide a welcoming and supportive professional home for an active, engaged, and diverse membership
- Advance scientific discovery and research dissemination
- Advocate for physics and physicists, and amplify the voice for science
- Share the excitement of physics and communicate the essential role physics plays in the modern world
- Promote effective physics education for all
The Core Values that Drive our Mission Are:
- The Scientific Method
- Truth and Integrity
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
- Partnering, Cooperation, and Open Collaboration
- Speaking Out
- Education and Learning
The American Physical Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, pregnancy (including childbirth or related condition), citizenship, familial status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, genetic information, other non-disqualifying disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We welcome you to apply today!
