THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS CLOSED

About NCASC: NCASC is located at USGS headquarters in Reston, VA, and manages a network of eight* regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) located across the U.S. Together, the National and Regional CASCs fund and conduct over 40 new science projects each year to understand how changing climate conditions impact fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and communities. Through this work, we aim to provide on-the-ground natural resource managers and other stakeholders with impartial scientific information and non-prescriptive decision-making tools to help them respond and adapt to these changes. NCASC conducts scientific research while also providing leadership and program support to the regional CASCs.

Eligibility: This position is open to current part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate students, as well as recent graduates (must have graduated within the last 12 months). If an undergraduate, the student must be within two years of receiving their degree. The applicant should be available 20-40 hours per week, for at least one full year. Hours and schedules are flexible, within reason, to accommodate educational commitments. The anticipated start date is June 15, 2020, but will depend on the speed of the hiring and onboarding process.

Activities: This position will primarily support NCASC’s science communications, project management, and data management activities. There may also be opportunities for the selected candidate to engage in ongoing science synthesis activities at NCASC. While in this position, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to interact with USGS staff within NCASC and across the Regional CASCs; learn the ins and outs of managing and operating a national-scale science program; and help communicate the science being done to partners and stakeholders, senior leadership within USGS and the Department of the Interior, and Congress.

Science Communications:

• Draft and post new content for the NCASC website, including news announcements, summaries describing funded projects, and feature stories highlighting the network’s science.
• Draft communications materials such as fact sheets, postcards, PPT slides, graphics, and reports that are used to brief partners and stakeholders, senior leadership within USGS and DOI, and Congress.
• Read, interpret, and summarize the results of scientific projects for various outlets, including the NCASC website and handout materials.

Program Support:

• Support NCASC scientific and project management processes and tools, including a project tracking and data repository system and a proposal management system.
• Track publications and products from CASC-funded research, enter new projects into our project tracking system, and update project information.
• Track and manage scientific datasets produced by CASC-funded projects
• Opportunities to engage in NCASC science synthesis activities may be available.
• Other activities as needed

Required Skills:

• Ability to translate technical scientific information into a concise, engaging, and public-friendly format
• Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks and projects at the same time
• Excellent writing skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work in a team setting
• Self-starter
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Comfortable learning new technologies and tools
• Familiarity with basic computer operations and “office” software

Preferred Skills:

• Education or demonstrated experience in environmental science or an earth science field (e.g. biology, geography, meteorology, climatology).
• Education or demonstrated experience in science communications
• Experience in scientific data management or other analytical fields
• Experience working with metadata standards, geospatial data, or ArcGIS
• Experience using web content management systems
• Experience in graphic design and familiarity with software such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign

Duty Station: NCASC is a unit within USGS Headquarters in Reston, VA. Although being located in the D.C. Metro area is preferred (with the option for partial telework), the position may be completed remotely from any location in the U.S.

Compensation: The successful applicant will be paid $16-40 per hour, depending on level of education and geographic location. This is a student contract position, and as such, taxes are not automatically taken out of the student contractor’s paycheck (the student contractor will be responsible for paying quarterly taxes). Student contractors do not accrue paid leave, but will earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. This position may be used for course credit or to meet internship requirements, should the student receive approval from their academic advisor to do so.

Apply: Please send the documents listed below to casc@usgs.gov. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, March 25 or until 75 applications have been received.

• Resume
• Cover letter: Describe your education, work experience, and relevant skillsets. Please explain why you would be a good fit for this position.
• Writing sample: A technical (e.g. research paper, journal article) or non-technical (e.g. news article, press release) writing sample that displays your written communication skills.

*A ninth regional center was added in FY20 and is currently being set up.