Coastal Public Information Coordinator – S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

About the Position

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) is seeking a Public Information Coordinator to be based within the Communications and Education Services department at the Consortium office in Charleston, South Carolina. The Public Information Coordinator will write and produce content related to Consortium research, education, extension, and communications activities.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, a state agency established to manage the Sea Grant College program for South Carolina, optimizes the environmental, social, and economic potential of coastal and marine resources of the state and region through the support and dissemination of high-quality research, education, extension, and communications programming.

The Consortium is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seeks to create a culture of belonging where all people are treated with dignity and respect and have equitable access to resources, opportunities, and outcomes. We acknowledge that our activities, programs, services, and everyday interactions are enriched by building a diverse team of staff and partners who engage in open, respectful, and meaningful exchange. We also strive to achieve our agency’s mission by engaging individuals from a broad diversity of backgrounds who bring a range of experiences, values, and expertise to bear on the region’s major environmental and socioeconomic issues.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, and from those who identify as members of historically underrepresented communities.

Learn more about the Consortium.

Responsibilities

The Public Information Coordinator will address the coastal information needs of a variety of stakeholders by extending science-based information to targeted audiences and residents of South Carolina. The Public Information Coordinator will produce content for enewsletters, websites, social media, and news releases, as well as work with the team on annual reports, briefing documents, and other needed publications.

Job Duties

• Serve as lead to document the Consortium’s accomplishments and impacts for reporting to the National Sea Grant College Program and the State of South Carolina accountability reports.
• Submit agency publications and tools developed to the NOAA Central Library, National Sea Grant Collections, and South Carolina State Library.
• Write articles and news releases for external publication that communicate the accomplishments of the Consortium and the contributions of the state’s coastal and marine resources’ sectors at the state and regional levels to coastal communities, organizations, businesses, the general public, state leadership, funding organizations, and institutional sponsors (e.g., jobs, revenue, cost savings, natural capital, and ecosystem services valuation).
• Lead the development, coordination, and implementation of social media strategies and content.
• Work with program specialists and other staff to develop regular social media and web-based content, including the use of photographs and videos, for the Consortium.
• Compile monthly traditional media and social media reports.
• Write copy for publications and promotional materials for a variety of media platforms to reach all South Carolina residents.
• Respond to public information requests.

Required Qualifications

B.A. or B.S. in Journalism, English, or Communications from an accredited higher education institution and at least five years of environmental science writing experience and successful publication. Proficiency with translating science into print and digital articles for a non-technical audience. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Demonstrated ability to write short-form articles for various communications vehicles, including print, web, enewsletters, and social media.

Strong interpersonal communication skills. Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize projects. Exceptional research, writing, editing, proofreading, and product development capabilities. Photography, videography, video editing, and digital media development. Fluency with Microsoft Office applications and other applications related to digital media production.

Preferred Qualifications

M.A. or M.S. in Journalism, English, or Communications from an accredited higher education institution and at least ten years of environmental science writing experience and successful publication. Experience and keen interest in writing about coastal and ocean topics with science-based accuracy and balance.

Experience in presenting information to audiences of 20-100 people. Extensive knowledge of current coastal and ocean issues and stakeholder needs in South Carolina and the Southeast region. Comfortable interacting with a variety of audiences, including government, academia, non-governmental organizations, media, and the private sector.

Position Type

Regular, full-time position. South Carolina State Band 5. Agency hiring range: $38,360 to $50,394. The finalist for this position must successfully complete an E-verify and driver’s license background check.

Work Location and Hours

This position is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Normal Consortium business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work beyond regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be necessary in order to complete the requirements of the position. Travel throughout the state and region is necessary. A valid driver’s license is required.

To Apply

A complete application will include a letter of interest, resume or CV, names and contact information for three professional references, and three writing samples in digital format to:

Marlena Davis
Human Resources Manager
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
287 Meeting Street
Charleston, S.C. 29401
marlena.davis@scseagrant.org

This position is available immediately. Review of applications will begin on July 22, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

No phone calls please.