POSITION SUMMARY

UNAVCO is seeking a creative, motivated individual to lead daily and strategic communications for UNAVCO, a science-support organization. The COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE'S primary responsibility will be to lead community communications and informal education and outreach efforts for UNAVCO. The successful candidate will be an individual with exceptional communication skills and experience with science writing for non-science audiences, developing press releases, maintaining a public web presence, and managing multiple social media channels. The individual will have knowledge of geosciences and also will have experience working with multimedia in the Earth sciences for informal education and outreach. This position is a part of the Education and Community Engagement (ECE) program and will also work closely with the UNAVCO President on corporate communications.

UNAVCO is currently in a work-from-home model. We anticipate this position would continue as a telecommute position with up to quarterly travel for team meetings. 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE position reports to the ECE Program Director, interacts and collaborates with peers and colleagues across the organization. The incumbent will collaborate with UNAVCO Community members on projects and products within specified requirements on a daily basis. They will respond and report to stakeholders on project results.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (30%)

• Responsible for implementation of communications strategy; assist with the development of annual communication implementation plans.
• Write news items for broad distribution; examples of news items include community announcements, features of science discoveries, and highlights of UNAVCO staff activities.
• Write press releases.
• Represent UNAVCO in local outreach opportunities.

OUTREACH AND POSITIONING (70%)

• Responsible for contributing dynamic and vibrant content to organizational website.
• Assist with geophysical event response by creating public facing web pages and communicating the science and support response to the scientific and lay audience.
• Manage social media channels; distribute geoscience information through social media to engage a broad audience in geodesy/geoscience applications and career possibilities.
• Coordinate outreach efforts in exhibition halls at scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to promote better public understanding of geodetic science and geophysics.
• Work internally across programs to develop and revise outreach materials for stakeholders.
• Lead efforts to translate materials into Spanish and other languages as needed.
• Contribute to videos, animations and other digital content featuring geodesy and related geophysical concepts.
• Maintain photo and video asset repository.
• Present at scientific and education meetings.
• Assist with managing branding documentation and ensuring brand standards are met and used by staff
• Other duties may be assigned as necessary for the successful operation of the business.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with this position.

LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION:

Provides staff support and mentoring in the development, implementation and management of internal team projects, external workshops and community projects.  Interacts effectively with various UNAVCO staff to ensure the completion of assigned responsibilities. Provides guidance on technical matters to others.

JOB LOCATION

Boulder, Colorado, United States. UNAVCO supports a robust remote work environment, while the job is located in Boulder, alternate living locations will be considered.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE POSITION THROUGH UNAVCO'S CAREER WEBSITE (HTTPS://UNAVCOCAREERS.SILKROAD.COM).

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:

1. Cover Letter outlining your specific experience with and interest in this position;
2. Complete resume;
3. 3-5 writing samples; and
4. Names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WILL BEGIN NOVEMBER 2, 2020, AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.

UNAVCO offers very competitive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Supplemental Benefits, 4 weeks Paid Time Off (PTO), and a retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for work authorization within the United States. UNAVCO is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer. Our long-term success depends on the development of a forward-looking, diversified workforce. UNAVCO values diverse perspectives and backgrounds in all positions within the organization and is fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and State laws, and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. UNAVCO encourages applications from candidates who are members of historically underrepresented groups. This includes candidates from different socioeconomic backgrounds, candidates with disabilities, candidates with unique life experiences, etc. Women, Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities and members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities are encouraged to apply. All qualified and complete applications will be considered. Individuals with a disability needing an accommodation as part of the employment selection process should contact HR@unavco.org or 303.381.7515.

UNAVCO supports a safe work environment for all staff. As part of our commitment, UNAVCO conducts background checks. Background checks will vary and are based on position requirements. Background checks may include but are not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history and/or education verification. Background checks may also be conducted when required by law or when in the discretion of UNAVCO is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Required Skills

• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment with diverse members and different communication styles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to present to diverse audiences, and ability to translate geoscience for non-scientists.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of this work and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of workplace diversity with regard to culture, race, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation.
• Self-motivated, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including demonstrated success in interactions with peers, scientists, students, media, and the public.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and interact effectively with internal and external partners and customers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work tasks.
• Familiar with WordPress or similar web content management system.
• Knowledge of geodesy, geophysics, or geology.
• General knowledge of GPS, plate tectonics, and geology.
• Working knowledge of desktop operating systems; computer-based education/ presentation equipment and software.
• Experience managing online content and social media feeds for an organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically, up to 10% of the time [when it is safe to do so].

Required Experience

AND EDUCATION

Bachelors degree in geoscience, geology, or related field with a minimum of two (2) years of experience working in communication or science communication.

DESIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Masters in a Geoscience discipline with experience in secondary / college science classroom, professional development, or informal education.
• Bilingual
• Graphic design
• Video production
• Scientifically literate in geosciences and geodetic science.
• Familiarity and experience with communications technologies in the areas of print graphics, web design and content, audio-visual presentation equipment, exhibition materials, or evolving social networks.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit and/or stand to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to move about a typical office environment on a daily basis.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Regular and on-time attendance; hours may exceed 40 hours per week.
• Occasional travel by conventional means including aircraft, motor vehicle and the like.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to understand, remember and communicate routine, factual information.
• Ability to understand complex problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work schedules for self and others.
• Ability to compute, analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to make decisions which have moderate impact on the function of UNAVCO.

• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment with diverse members and different communication styles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to present to diverse audiences, and ability to translate geoscience for non-scientists.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of this work and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of workplace diversity with regard to culture, race, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation.
• Self-motivated, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including demonstrated success in interactions with peers, scientists, students, media, and the public.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and interact effectively with internal and external partners and customers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work tasks.
• Familiar with WordPress or similar web content management system.
• Knowledge of geodesy, geophysics, or geology.
• General knowledge of GPS, plate tectonics, and geology.
• Working knowledge of desktop operating systems; computer-based education/ presentation equipment and software.
• Experience managing online content and social media feeds for an organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically, up to 10% of the time [when it is safe to do so].