OAR Science Communications Specialist

Nashville Public Radio; Silver Spring (MD); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

NOAA Research seeks an OAR Science Communications Specialist to translate groundbreaking research into clear communications for leadership and diverse audiences. You will craft talking points, coordinate nationwide staff, and advise on sensitive engagement opportunities, working alongside scientists and senior leaders.

You will help organize all-hands meetings and site visits, ensuring messaging aligns with NOAA mission while managing workflows and materials for various platforms.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in a technical or business discipline; advanced degrees may shorten experience requirements.
• 4+ years of professional and/or academic experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an analyst and coordinator for communication actions with OAR leadership and subject matter experts.
• Provide exceptional written and oral communications for OAR products and materials.
• Explain and organize complex scientific information into communication materials for leadership and workforce.
• Coordinate planning for periodic meetings and events, including all-hands meetings and site visits.
• Develop talking points and materials used by leadership for internal/external communications.
• Provide training and resources to nationwide OAR communications staff on various topics.
• Maintain communications between OAR staff to share NOAA-relevant information.
• Coordinate across OAR to showcase mission and activities on multiple platforms.

Skills

Science communication

Written & verbal comms

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Education

BA/BS in Communications, Journalism, Science Communications, Environmental Science, Public Affairs, or related field

Job description

Overview

NOAA Research is one of the most consequential science agencies in the federal government — advancing the forecasts that save lives, the data that informs climate policy, and the understanding of Earth systems that shapes decisions for generations. But great science only creates impact when it is communicated well. As an OAR Science Communications Specialist, you will be embedded directly within a NOAA OAR laboratory or program, working alongside scientists and senior leaders to translate groundbreaking research into communications that inform, engage, and inspire. You are a skilled writer, a strategic thinker, and a natural connector — someone who can develop talking points for a Congressional briefing, coordinate a nationwide all-hands meeting, and advise the OAR Communications Director on sensitive engagement opportunities, all in the same week. This is a role for a communications professional who understands that the stakes of getting science communication right are high — and who brings both the craft and the judgment to do it well. FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplace by the Washington Post, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Work Schedule and Location

• In-person presence required at one of the following locations: Air Resources Laboratory (College Park, MD); Pacific Marine Environment Laboratory (Seattle, WA); David Skaggs Research Center (Boulder, CO); Global Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (Plainsboro, NJ); Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Miami, FL); National Severe Storms Laboratory (Norman, OK); Great Lakes Environment Research Laboratory (Ann Arbor, MI); or NOAA SSMC3 (Silver Spring, MD)
• Remote positions are expected to work in the office each Tuesday (OAR CFO-CAO office day) when based in Silver Spring, MD
• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays
• Local and non-local travel may be required, including international travel; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance

Responsibilities

• Serve as an analyst and coordinator for communication actions, working closely with OAR office leadership, the OAR Communications team, and subject matter experts across headquarters, labs, and programs
• Provide exceptional written and oral communications for OAR products and materials, ensuring OAR mission, work, and activities are presented in clear, concise, and understandable language for a variety of audiences
• Explain and organize complex scientific information into communication products used by OAR leadership and the workforce, demonstrating strong writing and editing skills with experience translating technical information for non-scientific audiences
• Provide planning, coordination, and communication support to OAR Senior Management for periodic meetings and events, including all-hands meetings and site visits
• Develop talking points and other materials used by leadership when communicating to internal and external audiences
• Provide training and resources to nationwide OAR communications staff on a variety of communication topics
• Establish and maintain communications between OAR communications staff to effectively communicate NOAA-relevant information across the OAR workforce
• Coordinate within OAR to showcase OAR mission, work, and activities across a variety of communications platforms and events
• Provide advice and recommendations to the OAR Communications Director and OAR laboratory and program leadership on sensitive issues, opportunities for engagement, and strategies for improved communications
• Document workflows and maintain organized files containing data associated with communications work

Qualifications

• BA/BS in a technical or business discipline — Communications, Journalism, Science Communications, Environmental Science, Public Affairs, or a closely related field preferred; advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience
• 4+ years of professional and/or academic experience

Desired

• Demonstrated experience providing communications support for a federal science agency, research organization, or similar technical environment
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific or technical content into compelling written products for diverse audiences, including non-expert and senior government audiences
• Experience developing executive communications including talking points, briefing materials, and leadership presentations for senior government officials
• Familiarity with NOAA, OAR, or federal agency communications processes, review cycles, and public affairs requirements
• Experience planning and coordinating large-scale events such as all-hands meetings, site visits, or public outreach events
• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to build relationships with scientists, senior managers, and communications colleagues across a geographically distributed organization
• SME II candidates: demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on communications strategy and sensitive engagement issues
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-risk federal security clearance

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Benefits

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range

$81,556.80 - $85,849.26