Science Communication & Interpretation Specialist in Gloucester

The mission of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) exhibits leadership in integrated coastal zone management through innovative estuarine and coastal watershed science and education programs that promote natural-resource stewardship and science-based solutions to complex socioecological challenges.

The Science Communication & Interpretation (SC&I) Specialist supports the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS/W&M) by developing, coordinating, and delivering science interpretive programs with emphasis placed on Reserve topical themes of interest, experiential and place‑based learning, including the four Reserve components. Additionally, the position supports development, maintenance, and leveraging of Reserve focused communications and target audiences in alignment with the Reserve’s strategic plans and evolving programmatic needs.

The position serves as the Reserve’s lead for interpretive programming and communications while partnering closely with the VIMS Education, Outreach, and Communications team to ensure consistency, coordination, and alignment of public-facing educational and interpretive initiatives across the Batten School and VIMS.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental, aquatic/marine science, or related field required. Professional certifications and/or minor in environmental education, science communication, or interpretive media enhance qualifications.
• Competencies: Environmental science knowledge in key areas (e.g., understanding ecosystems and biodiversity, human‑environment interactions, ecosystem stressors such as climate change, conservation principles etc.). Field and lab skills to support development and implementation of program elements (for example, environmental monitoring and habitat assessment). Quantitative literacy to support data analysis required for technical information products/visualizations for communicating results. Strong skills/abilities in oral, written, and social media communications, including the ability to understand and translate complex scientific information to varying audiences. Program evaluation skills to assess interpretive program impact and audience learning preferences. Ability to effectively organize and facilitate diverse stakeholder meetings, developing and maintaining professional networks. Ability to work across various/multiple digital platforms and presentation tools to deliver content. Strong audience engagement skills to support various program elements (e.g., field & facility exhibits, interpretative walks) and foster audience participation. Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and survey software.
• Experience: Demonstrated work experience in science communication and environmental interpretive programs. Demonstrated interpretive creativity and product development. Demonstrated experience/knowledge of digital platforms. Demonstrated experience with data analysis and technical writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in environmental, aquatic/marine science, or related field required. Professional certifications and/or minor in environmental education, science communication, or interpretive media enhance qualifications.
• Competencies: GIS mapping, coding (e.g., r, python).
• Experience: Grant writing and performance reporting.

Salary: up to $64,000.00 commensurate with experience.

Conditions of Employment:

• Hold or have ability to hold Virginia driver’s license.
• Occasional night and weekend travel as required to meet job responsibilities.
• This is a restricted position, subject to the continued availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Science Interpretive Program Administration & Leadership (10%): Serve as the principal lead for Reserve interpretive community education programming and contribute to strategic planning through annual and multi‑year CBNERR‑VA management and action plans. Initiate and collaborate on the development and submission of sponsored grant and contract proposals, and other funding opportunities to secure resources that advance CBNERR‑VA community engagement and broader impacts of Reserve programmatic units; Complete and submit required grant/contract performance reporting and other formal related requirements, including summarizing communication/education reach, engagement and volunteer metrics and outcomes; Support recruitment, mentorship, and oversight supervision of CBNERR‑VA staff, fellows, interns, and students.
• Science Interpretive Program Development & Delivery (55%): Integrate and translate Reserve programmatic (e.g., water quality, coastal & watershed ecology, habitat conservation & restoration) monitoring data, research findings and resource management actions conducted at the Reserve and/or by Reserve staff into accessible, understandable, engaging and relatable narratives (e.g., storytelling) and information products (including economic impact) for diverse audiences (e.g, public, legislative, governmental agency) that help explain why such work matters. Engage and collaborate with key partners/partner networks (e.g., VIMS, VDCR, VDEQ, NERRS national program such as the Science Collaborative) and subject matter experts to create content and facilitate innovative and interactive learning tools and in‑person/visitor approaches (e.g., hands‑on demonstrations, guided tours, public lectures, and educational workshops) that highlight thematic awareness and, where appropriate, align with partner strategies and standards. Utilize data‑driven, enhanced technology/digital tools in science interpretive programming (e.g., access to real‑time data and web‑based applications; QR‑based apps, augmented reality [AR], data‑driven storytelling and story map products). Create, develop and maintain Reserve, VIMS and partner facilities (e.g., visitor centers) and field‑based (e.g., trail/boardwalk/signage) interpretive/interactive stations. Serve as Reserve lead and support development, implementation, and use of NOAA/NERRS general education program elements (i.e., Teachers on the Estuary) and tools (e.g., Estuaries 101 Curriculum). Assist in conducting research and monitoring, natural resource stewardship, and training and engagement projects with a focus on integrating into CBNERR‑VA science interpretive programming. Participate in training and required activities to acquire certifications and skills required to implement and deliver Reserve science focused interpretive programs, which may include upskilling science communication and interpretation skills, cultivating deeper knowledge in appropriate science fields, operation of VIMS trailerable vessels, canoe rigs (both vessel and trailer), and sustenance of VIMS safety, CPR and first aid certification.
• Organizational Communications (25%): Support, develop, coordinate and manage internal (within Reserve & Institute) communication tools designed to foster collaboration, information/knowledge sharing & feedback, and build team culture (e.g., All‑hands Meetings, Lab Communiques & e‑mails, Show‑&‑Shares, Sector Mindmelds; institutional newsletters). Create and update content for public‑facing collateral and/or briefing materials, media relations, Reserve highlight storytelling (e.g., 1‑pagers, plain language summaries, infographics), Reserve public‑facing web sites and data platforms (e.g., VECOS, ArcGIS story maps), and all existing CBNERR‑VA social platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) including but not limited to narrative, video, audio, graphic assets, and multi‑media integration (i.e., digital story‑telling). Track and monitor primary web and social media platforms to assess level of public audience engagement, impact and efficiency, and translate content performance into insights that advance CBNERR‑VA’s programming.
• Advisory & Professional Service (10%): Serve as CBNERR‑VA Education Coordinator liaison to NOAA/NERRS and National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA) and provide service to regional, national, and international entities in furtherance of CBNERR‑VA and VIMS/W&M’s role as a center of excellence in coastal and marine science. Serve as a liaison with VIMS Education, Outreach, and Communications teams to proactively initiate and coordinate collaborative products and initiatives, including proposals, reports, metrics, and science storytelling that highlight program outcomes and impacts. Respond to requests from VIMS Office of Research and Advisory Service (ORAS) and state constituents to provide/support the delivery of best available science and technical relevant information in support of management and strategic development decisions as related to marine & coastal resources; and cultivate, maintain, and coordinate internal (e.g., VIMS Communications, Marketing & Public Engagement Team, other VIMS/W&M’s committees/workgroups) and external (e.g., VADCR Division of Parks, VADEQ CZMP) partnerships, to support and advance the Reserve mission.

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