Project Specialist (Science Outreach)

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Archive Date: 
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Other
Institution Classification/Type: 
Other
Institution/Company: 
SOFIA / Universities Space Research Association
City: 
Moffett Field
State/Province: 
CA
Zip/Postal: 
94043
Country: 
United States of America
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

To maintain and regularly update the SOFIA/USRA web-page content and documentation, particularly related to User Support and Science Outreach. With technical input from the science staff, to edit, format and track changes on the "Information for Researchers" pages including the Observer's Handbook, instrument descriptions and capabilities, and to prepare the SOFIA e-Newsletter. Assist in organizing and supporting SOFIA presence at scientific conferences, including support of the SOFIA booth. This position also provides general assistance in the area of Outreach to the Science Community, including preparations for meetings/conferences, support for GI flyers on SOFIA. To provide support for the Observatory’s Call for Proposals and the Time Allocation Committee meetings.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Maintain web-page content and documentation to related to user support and science outreach

  • Ensure that Users’ Guides, Information for Researchers pages, Observer’s Handbook, and instrument description are up-to-date and accurate
  • Organize and coordinate on-line surveys for user feedback and tabulate results

Plan and manage SOFIA SMO internal events, including Telescope Time Allocation Committee and Users’ Group Meeting.

  • Work with SMO leadership to identify participants.
  • Send invitations, track RSVPs, and manage participant registration.
  • Coordinate NASA visitor passes as needed.
  • Coordinate production of meeting materials, including name badges, agendas and IT equipment.
  • Manage catering for coffee breaks and meals as needed.

Plan and manage SOFIA presence at scientific conferences, including but not limited to AAS and AGU meetings.

  • Mange conference calendar to track registration, materials production and shipping deadlines for each conference.
  • Register exhibit booth and reserve appropriate A/V equipment and furniture
  • Create booth description that is specific to conference audience.
  • Identify materials most appropriate for conference audience and/or work with outreach group to create appropriate new materials.
  • Coordinate shipping of booth materials, including backwalls, models, and printed materials.
  • Work with Outreach group to ensure graphics and printed materials are complete before shipping deadlines.
  • Setup at booth at conference venue.
  • Identify the science team attending the meeting and coordinate the staffing schedule for the exhibit booth.
  • Organize conference events such as townhalls, including registration, catering, and signage
  • Coordinate with partner organizations, such as NASA and IRSA, to display SOFIA materials at respective booths

Plan and manage SOFIA outreach webinars and workshops

  • Identify location options for in-person meetings
  • Reserve meeting space and catering as needed
  • Identify best software for virtual meetings and ensure technical requirements fit the webinar needs (e.g. can support the number of percipients and an appropriate chat function)
  • Work with outreach team to for event advertisement promotion on Science Center website and newsletter
  • Track statistics for online event such as number of participants and total viewing time
  • Coordinate feedback from users/attendees via surveys and track responses

Required Qualifications:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s in science or communications/public relations strongly preferred

Experience:

  • 3 years’ experience in communications and public relations practices.
  • Excellent professional and technical written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends, as necessary.
  • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and people skills.
  • Ability to set priorities and work in a multi-project environment.
  • Ability to work well as a team member to enhance and sustain cooperative efforts.
  • Ability to estimate budget and workload requirements.

Required skills and knowledge:

  • Requires knowledge of a broad range of sources of pertinent information
  • Skills to analyze and present the information gathered
  • Knowledge of publishing practices, standards, and technologies for the media used
  • Extensive contact with USRA Mountain View departments/organizations. Some contact with USRA HQ departments/organizations.
  • Extensive public contact by phone, letter, fax, e-mail and in person with vendors, suppliers and buyers in order to secure supplies, materials and equipment needed.

Working Conditions:

Occasional extended work hours may be required.

Vacation periods may be restricted due to work load.

Up to 25% travel is required. This job primarily operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc. Extensive online usage. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit, use hands.  Keyboarding for large time spans each day will be a significant part of this position.

The employee may need to lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

Travel:

This position is based at NASA AMES Research Center Moffett Field. Travel will be required.

Applicants should apply to the posting at https://usracareers.silkroad.com/ .  Review of candidates will begin immediately.  Additional information on USRA can be found at www.usra.edu.

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Selection Deadline: 
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Ben Tanis
Title: 
Talent Acquisition
Institution/Company: 
Universities Space Research Association
Street Line 1: 
7178 Columbia Gateway Drive
City: 
Columbia
State/Province: 
MD
Zip/Postal Code: 
21046
Country: 
United States of America
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Ben Tanis