[Hiring] Earth Science Writer @Science Systems & Applications

Role Description

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) has an opening for a science writer to join a highly visible communications team supporting NASA Earth science and satellite mission outreach. The position is full-time and will have the option to work onsite at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, or work remotely.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for communicating about Earth and environmental science, as well as its applications. This could range from short science briefs to news stories to feature-length articles for the public or media, and support project scientists on the development of website or presentation content for the data user community and/or stakeholders. The position will also involve curating, editing, and updating a monthly newsletter. The science writer will be expected to employ an attention to detail, while also developing an ability to handle/juggle multiple projects that have competing deadlines. As a translator between scientists and engineers and the public, you will need patience, an ability to accept constructive criticism, and a healthy self-confidence in your craft.

• Strategize, develop, and write science content that communicates the value of the Earth observation data and the latest research via feature stories, science briefs, and profiles of data users which involves coordinating and conducting interviews.
• Craft text highlighting mission News updates for the website and curate a monthly newsletter including recently published content, mission-related updates, and publication spotlights.
• Attend NASA internal and other scientific meetings to interact with the public and data users and identify sources for stories. (Travel required less than 10% of the time.)
• Support mission project scientist requests for science content and written communication materials for stakeholders and data users (e.g., web content for upcoming missions, fact sheets, presentation text).
• Support the outreach team with copy-editing for scripts, infographics, event highlights, and various print and electronic content for conferences and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience developing science communications content for the mainstream public or news media;
• Ability to work independently within a distributed team and meet deadlines;
• Strong organizational skills to track multiple projects;
• Ability to adapt writing style for different communications channels and audiences (e.g., data users);
• US Citizenship required.

Requirements

• Background in science communications related to Earth or physical sciences;
• Experience writing for stakeholder and niche audiences;
• Some education or reporting experience in Earth science, remote sensing, and data applications;
• Experience using NASA Earth science data and/or data tools (e.g., Worldview, Giovanni, AppEEARS, Earthdata Search, etc.);
• Experience with WordPress or similar web content management tools.

Benefits

• ***Applicants must supply three writing samples when submitting their application, or they will not be considered***

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.
• The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.