Position Description

Do you have a passion for science communication and the environment? SFEI’s Clean Water Program is looking to hire an experienced Science Communicator or Associate Science Communicator to bring our science to a broader audience as we tackle projects with regional and national implications. The position will primarily support the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP), as well as the San Francisco Bay Nutrient Management Strategy, with a special focus on pivotal pollution issues including PFAS, microplastics, nutrients, and more. 

For three decades, SFEI’s Clean Water Program has provided the science needed to assess a wide range of water quality problems in the Bay and across California, tracking long-term trends and focusing management on effective, long-lasting solutions driven by sound water quality science.

For this science communication position, work will include creating engaging content for websites, newsletters, fact sheets, social media, and mainstream media outreach; preparing annual reports featuring accessible and relatable science summaries; developing and implementing outreach strategies for key projects; and managing social media engagement across the Institute. The Science Communicator will work closely with lead scientists on diverse, intellectually stimulating, and impactful topics in water quality and ecological and human health. Experience translating technical information relating to chemistry, environmental science, public health, or related fields to the general public is essential.

The ideal candidate is a gifted communicator who can bridge the gap between scientists and the public. In addition, the candidate must have strong organizational and proactive planning skills, ability to multitask, ability to track and see tasks through to completion, and ability to communicate with different staff and partners. This is a great opportunity for someone who has strong science communication skills and wants to work with diverse and innovative technical teams to share critical research aimed toward making positive environmental change.

SFEI is a hybrid workplace, with most staff in the office several days per week. For this position, hybrid is preferred, though a fully remote option is possible with approval from management.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

• Content Creation: Write engaging and accessible content for websites, email newsletters, fact sheets, and social media platforms, intended to reach diverse audiences including water quality managers and decision-makers, funders, journalists, underserved communities, Tribes, and the general public.
• Annual Report Development: Play lead role in preparing program annual reports.
• Content Strategy Development: Craft and refine communications strategies for key projects and scientific reports, in close collaboration with lead scientists. 
• Mainstream Media Support: Draft media advisories and press releases, track media hits, and develop targeted media contact lists.
• Social Media Management: Develop and execute dynamic social media strategies, guidelines, and protocols to effectively communicate the science of the Clean Water Program and other programs across the Institute.
• Analytics and Reporting: Monitor and report on content performance to continually optimize our efforts and demonstrate tangible results.
• Web Design Planning: Participate in the planning and conceptualization of website designs that enhance engagement.
• Event Planning: Assist with organizing and hosting annual stakeholder meetings and other outreach events.
• Development Support: Assist our Director of Strategic Initiatives with content development relating to fundraising efforts.

If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our other roles.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with a preference for a degree in media, journalism, or other relevant field plus at least 6 years of science communications experience OR
• Master’s degree with a preference for a degree in media, journalism, or other relevant field plus at least 4 years of science communications experience

Required Skills

• Exceptional writing skills, with an emphasis on science writing in such fields as toxics, chemistry, environmental science, public health, or related fields
• Proven expertise in copywriting and content marketing
• Proficiency in Google Suite Applications and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills, including ability to manage and prioritize a variety of detail-oriented tasks successfully
• Must be a self-starter and able to proactively anticipate next steps
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and in a team environment

Preferred Skills

• Interest in working in a mission-driven environmental science non-profit
• Experience communicating technical topics to the public, such as past work in pollution, environmental science, public health, or related fields