Senior Science Content & Digital Media Specialist (SME II) - OAR HQ (Silver Spring, MD) (Hybrid)
About The Position
The Senior Science Content & Digital Media Specialist (SME II) supports NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and is embedded at a NOAA laboratory or program. The role provides day-to-day writing, visual content creation, and editorial support across digital, social media, and print platforms. It involves researching and writing stories about atmospheric science, creating graphics and videos that communicate ocean research, and guiding content through NOAA’s scientific review process to ensure accuracy and brand consistency. The specialist translates technical research for varied audiences and makes audience needs central to content decisions. The position is hybrid, with two to three days onsite at NOAA OAR headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. FWI describes itself as a rapidly expanding organization recognized as a Top Workplace in 2024, 2025, and 2026, with growth opportunities in a collaborative environment. The role calls for a bachelor’s degree in a technical or business discipline; Communications, Journalism, Digital Media, Science Communications, Environmental Science, or a related field is preferred. Candidates need at least eight years of professional and/or academic experience. Advanced degrees or certifications may qualify candidates for shorter periods of required experience. SME II candidates should have demonstrated experience leading content strategy and advising senior communications leadership on audience engagement and platform innovation. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a low-risk federal security clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business discipline; Communications, Journalism, Digital Media, Science Communications, Environmental Science, or a closely related field is preferred. Advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience.
- At least 8 years of professional and/or academic experience.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a low-risk federal security clearance.
- Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate technical information for non-scientific audiences.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated experience producing science or technical content for digital platforms, including websites, social media, and multimedia channels for a federal agency or research organization.
- Ability to translate research findings into compelling, accurate, audience-appropriate content across multiple formats and reading levels.
- Proficiency with visual content creation tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or equivalent platforms, and experience producing graphics, short-form video, or infographics for public audiences.
- Experience managing content through formal scientific or government review and approval processes.
- Familiarity with web content management systems and social media scheduling platforms, and experience monitoring and reporting on digital engagement analytics.
- Knowledge of NOAA, OAR, or federal agency web publishing standards, Section 508 accessibility requirements, and plain language guidelines.
- For SME II candidates, demonstrated experience leading content strategy development and advising senior communications leadership on audience engagement and platform innovation.
Responsibilities
- Explain and organize complex scientific information into communication products for OAR leadership and its workforce.
- Write and edit public communication products across OAR digital and print platforms, including news stories, web features, social media posts, and visual content.
- Research, write, and edit audience-appropriate content for online, social media, and print channels.
- Guide content through OAR and NOAA internal review cycles to ensure scientific accuracy, correct formatting, and appropriate style.
- Develop themes, schedules, and content for external websites, internal Google Sites, and social media platforms.
- Create visual graphics, videos, and other visual materials for NOAA platforms.
- Monitor engagement analytics across digital platforms and use insights to inform content strategy.
- Coordinate with other NOAA teams to showcase OAR’s mission, work, and activities across NOAA websites and partner platforms.
- Advise the OAR Communications Director on sensitive content issues and recommend and execute content strategies and innovations to increase public engagement.
- Document workflows and maintain organized files containing data associated with content development.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Long-term and short-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k) plan
- Holiday pay
- Paid time off
- Internal promotions, professional development, and recognition and rewards programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
