Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Scientific Information Specialist to provide support to NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service West Coast Region’s Communications and External Affairs Branch (CEA). OAI supplies personnel support services on contract to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species.

BACKGROUND

The West Coast Region’s Communications and External Affairs Branch (CEA) is responsible for employing the latest communications and outreach tools to advance NOAA Fisheries’ science-based mission to ensure long-term sustainability of fisheries and protect marine species. Engendering scientific literacy and stewardship of the marine environment through formal and informal education is a key component of achieving this goal. This project will deliver effective science-based curricula and other education materials to inform school children and students of all ages how our policies and management strategies promote sustainable ecosystems and inspire action to conserve marine ecosystems.

DUTIES

The Individual shall provide the following services:

Science Education Planning and Execution. 

• Provide senior subject matter expertise on effective science education strategies. Advise Communications and External Affairs Branch on strategies to use science education tools and techniques to meet agency stewardship goals. Develop and deliver associated science-based products including curricula, lesson plans, educational activities, etc.

Science Education Partnerships. 

• Identify key potential partners and audiences and maintain contact list including formal teachers, schools, and school districts, particularly to reach diverse audiences. Work with partners to incorporate WCR material (science education resources, messages, etc) into their programming.

Support WCR staff in conducting science education.

• Train staff on use of curricula and other materials. Maintain inventory of education materials to share resources. Update materials as needed. Create and communicate opportunities for staff to participate in formal and informal education. Encourage staff to support education and outreach. Convene and facilitate science education working groups as needed. Shadow NOAA staff in classrooms and provide productive feedback to increase skillsets.

Track and communicate science education efforts. 

• Track outreach and education activities and respond to science education and outreach data calls. Write web stories and/or social media posts to communicate efforts and messaging.

Other Duties Include:

• Develop and deliver associated science-based products including curricula, lesson plans, educational activities, etc.
• Partnerships contact list, partnership programming with WCR information.
• Science Education Training for WCR staff. Internal inventory of updated science education materials.
• Annual summary of outreach and education effort and results. Web stories and social media posts for regional and headquarters web pages.

Average estimated hours per week are 32 to 40.

Start Date: TBD

Location: 7600 SAND POINT WAY NE, SEATTLE, WA 98115-6349

Salary and Benefits: Commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Selected individual(s) must have the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university with extensive coursework in English writing;
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience writing and editing technical statistical reports and procedures for technical and scientific data processing;
• One (1) to three (3) years’ experience entering and verifying technical and scientific data using a PC-based electronic data entry system or supervising student assistants in a scientific data entry program;
• One (1) to three (3) years maintaining computer and software systems for a data management work group;
• Proficiency in standards and procedures for electronic data entry, verification, and other processing of scientific data;
• Knowledge of technical editing, technical writing, and preparation of technical and statistical reports;
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical process to produce timely results;
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English;
• Ability and skill in maintaining software applications running under MS-DOS and maintaining personal computers and peripherals.

Additional required qualifications include:

• Proficient in developing scientifically-based education materials on natural resource management issues.
• Proficient with tools and techniques in science education.
• Proficient in tracking and evaluating science education programs.
• Proficient in training and coaching non-educators to successfully deliver science education programs.

Additional preferred qualifications include: 

• Proficient with marine science and management issues under NOAA Fisheries’ purview on the U.S. West Coast.
• Proficient in educating and partnering with diverse and underserved communities.