Science Communications Specialist

About the Opportunity
Are you passionate about science and the environment? Do you enjoy translating complex topics into engaging stories? Then the Science Communications Specialist position at the California Academy of Sciences may be just for you! This position plays a critical role in raising awareness about scientific research that is advancing the Academy’s mission – to regenerate the natural world – and our Hope for Reefs initiative, which aims to reverse the decline of coral reefs by 2030.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

About the Communications Team:
The Communications Department plays a critical role in the Academy’s work building a movement to regenerate nature and educating visitors of all ages about science and the environment. To drive attendance, we raise awareness about activities at the Academy, the only place in the world that is home to a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and history museum—all under one living roof. The Communications Department also gets the word out about path-breaking research by our approximately 100 research scientists and shares fun, interesting stories about our animals and some of the nearly 46 million specimens in our collections.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Academy’s efforts to publicize its scientific research and exploration by serving as primary Communications point person for the Institute of Biodiversity Science & Sustainability (IBSS) communications, including research, policy, and expeditions.
• Lead communications for the Academy’s Hope for Reefs initiative as a member of the initiative’s core team. This may include accompanying scientists on expeditions and collaborating with local partners on in-country media coverage for expeditions.
• Develop and implement creative communications plans to promote scientists’ research work and prepare them for speaking engagements and media interviews as needed.
• Write and edit major press releases, media alerts, fact sheets, blog posts, op-eds, and other thought leadership collateral for scientists.
• Respond to media inquiries, proactively build and manage media relationships, develop tailored media pitches, and facilitate interviews and other information requests for Academy scientists.
• Advise video production team on videos about Academy science and initiatives.
• Actively seeking out new platforms, and opportunities to engage the public with the Academy’s scientific research and elevate the Academy’s profile as a research institution.
• As Associate Editor of bioGraphic (50% of time), duties include:
• Maintain editorial/production calendar, facilitate timely review of freelance pitches, finalize contracts and process invoices, co-manage the fact-checking process, source and select images, write or edit photo captions, build story layouts, and proofread stories before publication.
• Supervise bioGraphic social media produced by Science Communications Coordinator and biweekly email blast promoting latest articles.
• Place published articles with partner distributors to continue to build bioGraphic’s syndication network, which currently includes The Atlantic, The Guardian, Forbes, and others.
• Pitching and writing feature stories and photo essays as time permits.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor the Communications Coordinator, who supports both the Academy’s PR and science communications efforts and the bioGraphic team.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and/or Education:Required and Preferred:

• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in a similar science communications role.
• Undergraduate degree in English, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, and/or Science. Master’s preferred.
• Experience in science communication strongly preferred.
• Some experience supervising preferred.
• Passion for science, the environment, and storytelling.

Skills and Abilities:Required and Preferred:

• Outstanding writing and editing skills; ability to adapt voice and tone to reflect diverse audiences and subject matter.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in an compelling, accessible way.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; desire to cultivate and maintain open, effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organization, media, and external partners.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced and deadline-driven work environment.
• Flexible, creative, and curious. Adept at managing multiple tasks while maintaining flexibility as priorities shift.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a diverse organization, both independently and as part of a team.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with content management systems is a plus.
• Bilingual (spoken and/or written) in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or other non-English language a plus but not necessary.

Physical Environment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to transport 10 lbs.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions (typing) 75% of the time.

Schedule: Full Time, 40 hours per week

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin on July 26, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

Compensation and Benefits
Starting salary will vary based on experience and relevant skills/knowledge set. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, 1-2 writing samples, and complete the brief online application.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.