Communications Specialist

Who Are We?

Groundswell is a premier technology integrator resolutely committed to solving the most complex challenges facing federal agencies today. Our name, Groundswell, represents our commitment to be an unstoppable, seismic change in government. Ours is a small company culture with big company reach and results. Are you ready to be audacious, be bold and drive change at a rapid pace? Join us, where we’ll make a greater impact together.

What You'll do:

The Communications Specialist will provide support to the Weather Program Office (WPO), a program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).

Who We are Looking For:

We are looking for an experienced Communications Specialist to provide expertise, guidance, and support in a wide variety of communication functions. This is an exciting role that touches different aspects of communications and is an opportunity to learn about the science and impact NOAA has to society and the nation.

Responsibilities include to:

• Manage and develop scientific content for the program website; and interact with program managers, principal investigators as well as award recipients to develop material for the website and to develop other communications materials that promotes and communicates research and facilitates the integration of the research results.
• Provide technical support to WPO by enhancing, updating, and maintaining the WPO website and the audio-visual display of the WPO funded research results and weather information.
• Create and publish Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcements, develop infographics, newsletters, social media posts, news stories, articles and features with WPO highlights on at least a monthly basis for the website and other communication channels.
• Develop communication materials and implementation of WPO’s communication plan. This includes:
• Develop and use Google documents, sheets, presentations, and sites to collaborate and communicate topics on grants and R2O.
• Create communications materials based on program activities and accomplishments to further implement WPO’s communication plan and increase WPO’s visibility inside and outside of NOAA.
• Develop internal and external documents such as the WPO Strategic Plan and WPO Accomplishments Report.
• Develop briefing materials on weather research policies to communicate goals, plans, and progress to agency representatives, leadership, and the broader community, as well as materials at conferences such as the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association and the American Geophysical Union,
• Facilitate and address ad hoc inquiries for information.
• Identify opportunities for building collaborations in weather research within NOAA and with other federal and international partners.
• Maintain an internal and external contact list for WPO’s announcements and communications.
• Develop virtual and hard copy recruitment materials.
• Assist in the development of WPO webinar series and partnership strategy.
• This position can be remote.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited university required
• 7+ years of experience in the field or in a related area required.
• Scientific background or previous science communication experience is required
• Candidate needs to have creative vision and an eye for design and a keen eye for layout and design
• Strong written, analytical, strategic foresight
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically
• Strong writing and editing skills, and experience translating complex scientific information for non-scientific audiences
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a high-paced environment and can work both independently or as a team
• Proficient MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.) and G-Suite (Docs, Sheets, etc.) required.
• Proficient with data visualization tools such as ArcGIS required. Experience with R, Tableau, Python, and others a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to learn by example, and multitask
• Proficient with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign needed. Basic familiarity with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps is a plus
• Three (3) writing samples are required. The candidate should be the sole or primary author/creator. Samples need to each be from a different category. Some examples can include a web story, announcement, newsletter, a collection of 3+ social media posts, news articles, an infographic, or a story map.
• A brief writing and/or graphic exercise may be required
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Green card holder per contract requirements
  
  

Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge of OAR programs, labs, and cooperative institutes is preferred
• Knowledge of NOAA systems, services, research, and/or programs is a plus
• Fellowship Experience (for example: Knauss Fellowship or AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship) is preferred
  
  

Why You’ll Never Want to Leave:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible Spending Account
• 4% 401K Match (immediate vesting)
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition reimbursement, certification programs, and professional development
• Flexible work schedule
• On-site gym and childcare option
  
  

Skills:

Certification:

Why You’ll Never Want to Leave:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible Spending Account
• 4% 401K Match (immediate vesting)
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition reimbursement, certification programs, and professional development
• Flexible work schedule
• On-site gym and childcare option
  
  

The salary range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Groundswell, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

$57,411.00 - $120,191.00

NOTE: Groundswell does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Groundswell and Groundswell will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

Groundswell is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Read a copy of the Company’s Affirmative Action Statement.

Additional Resources:

• EO 13496 Notification of Employee Rights under NLRA
• EEO is the Law Poster and Supplement
• Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
  
  

Disability Accessibility Accommodation: If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us at hr@gswell.com or 703-639-1777.