Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

The Natural Hazards Center is a National Science Foundation-funded information clearinghouse for the societal dimensions of hazards and disasters. We are an institution committed to creating a center of gravity for the hazards and disaster community. We care deeply about facilitating scientific and practice-oriented connections because we recognize that we are all living at risk, we are all interconnected, and we must all play a role in effectively responding to 21st century social and environmental challenges. Everything we do at the Center is informed by a justice and equity approach and our core values are focused on our commitment to human dignity, collective well-being, scientific understanding, sustainable hazards mitigation, and environmental stewardship. For more information about the history, vision, and mission of the Center, please see: https://hazards.colorado.edu/about/history-and-mission. 

Content Creation:

• Generate high-quality written content, including web content, reports, news releases, social media posts, and other Center publications that communicate scientific concepts to both academic and non-academic audiences.
• Collaborate with researchers to transform technical information into engaging narratives for diverse communication channels.
• Stay informed about the latest developments in the research field and translate them into accessible and compelling stories for a large and broad readership.

Editing:

• Oversee and maintain the editorial process for all Center publications, ensuring clarity and adherence to academic standards.
• Collaborate with researchers and practitioners to refine and enhance written content for various formats, including articles, reports, and news releases.
• Conduct thorough proofreading, copy editing, and content review to maintain the accuracy and credibility of Center publications and other materials, such as those related to our annual Natural Hazards Workshop.
• Ensure that all Center materials are edited and produced consistently, adhering to current APA style guides.

Science Communication:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive science communication strategy to disseminate research findings effectively through various channels—web, social media, online, and in-person.
• Create engaging and accessible social media content that translates complex scientific concepts into easily understandable language.
• Use multimedia tools to incorporate visual elements and enhance the overall impact of communication efforts.

Collaboration and Training:

• Collaborate with internal teams, researchers, and external partners to ensure a cohesive and consistent communication approach.
• Provide training and guidance to researchers on effective science communication strategies.
• Stay updated on trends and emerging communication tools to continuously improve the Center’s outreach and communication efforts.
• Train, mentor, and coordinate undergraduate and graduate research assistants in Center communication standards.

Media Relations:

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assist Center leaders in crafting messages and expert insights as they engage with the media around key research projects, events, and ongoing activities.
• Proactively identify opportunities for media engagement and outreach.

Public Engagement:

• Develop and implement strategies to engage the public through social media, presentations, webinars, and other platforms to promote Center activities in a timely manner.
• Continue to build a robust and diverse network and engage frequently with Center partners and affiliates.
• Develop and maintain communication channels with the academic community, policymakers, practitioners, and other external partners.
• Respond to inquiries from the public and media, providing accurate and accessible information about the Center's research activities. 

If you are passionate about both written and spoken communication of cutting-edge hazards and disaster research and practice, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our university-based hazards and disaster research center. We are especially interested in hiring someone with expertise related to hazards, disasters, climate, and/or the environment. 

Salary Range: $50,000 to $65,000 conmmensurate with education and professional experience. This position also comes with a generous benefits package through the University of Colorado Boulder, including health care, retirement, and personal leave.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a field such as journalism, communications, environmental science, sociology, or a related discipline
• Minimum of five years’ experience reporting, writing, and/or editing in a professional setting
• Experience with research and writing in the field of hazards and disasters (preferred) or environmental science or climate change more generally
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to distill complex scientific information for diverse audiences
• Proven experience writing and editing in APA format
• Strong understanding of multimedia content creation and dissemination
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner in both written and spoken form
• Demonstrated success in media relations and public outreach
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the public
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced research environment

Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience using:

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), Seventh Edition Style Guide
• Microsoft Office Tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Office Web Apps)
• Social Media Platforms (X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.)
• Adobe Acrobat
• Canva
• Slack 

Preferred Skills or Experience Include:

• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Wordpress
• Website Content Management
• Event Planning
• Salesforce
• Team Gantt (or other project management software)