Navy STEM Communications Specialist – ONR Support
About The Position
HunaTek is seeking a STEM Communications Specialist to support the Office of Naval Research’s STEM outreach and communications initiatives. The specialist will attend selected events and program activities to interview participants, take photographs, and develop stories about Naval STEM programs and the students, educators, scientists, engineers, interns, alumni, mentors, and community partners involved in them. The role requires a strong interviewer and versatile writer who can translate scientific, technical, and program information into accurate, engaging content for students, families, educators, and other nontechnical audiences. Content may be created for websites, newsletters, social media, presentations, and printed materials. The specialist will also support website updates, recruitment messaging, and other ongoing communications needs in coordination with Naval STEM program staff and the Naval STEM Coordination Office (NSCO). All content must go through applicable Government and U.S. Navy review and public-release procedures before publication. The role involves periodic travel and occasional evening or weekend support based on event schedules. HunaTek describes a collaborative workplace that values diversity of thought and, when possible, provides opportunities to learn new skills, obtain certifications, attend industry events, and participate in team activities.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
- At least three years of professional experience in writing, editing, journalism, communications, public relations, content development, or a related field.
- Experience interviewing people and developing original stories, profiles, or event coverage.
- Experience writing and editing content for multiple platforms, such as websites, newsletters, social media, presentations, and print materials.
- Ability to translate scientific, technical, educational, or program information for nontechnical audiences.
- Strong writing, editing, proofreading, fact-checking, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to take clear event photographs and document accurate caption information; professional photography credentials are not required.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple assignments, reviewers, and deadlines.
- Willingness and ability to travel periodically, including occasional overnight, evening, or weekend assignments.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint Online, Teams, and Excel.
- Current SECRET clearance or ability to obtain and maintain the required clearance within the established timeframe.
- Ability to provide relevant writing samples demonstrating reporting, interviewing, storytelling, or audience-focused communications experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience covering events and developing stories from in-person interviews and observations.
- Experience writing about STEM education, science, engineering, research, technology, internships, or workforce-development programs.
- Experience updating website content using a content-management system (CMS).
- Experience supporting recruitment communications, email outreach campaigns, or digital communications platforms.
- Familiarity with U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, or Federal Government public-release and content-approval procedures.
- Experience working with public affairs, security, privacy, or operational security reviewers.
- Experience supporting Federal Government, Department of Defense, or Department of the Navy programs.
- Familiarity with Naval STEM programs such as SEAP, NREIP, SMART, or Naval Horizons.
- Experience creating social media content, photo captions, short-form stories, student profiles, or event recaps.
- Basic photography and photo-editing experience.
Responsibilities
- Identify and develop stories demonstrating Naval STEM program activities, accomplishments, and impact.
- Attend outreach events, internship activities, conferences, career fairs, student competitions, and laboratory visits to gather content.
- Interview students, interns, educators, scientists, engineers, program managers, naval personnel, and community partners.
- Write and edit feature stories, participant profiles and success stories, event recaps, web content, newsletters, social media posts, presentations, fact sheets, and other communications products.
- Translate technical and program information into clear, engaging content for students and other nontechnical audiences.
- Support updates to Naval STEM website content, including program information, news, participant stories, and outreach announcements.
- Assist with recruitment communications, program announcements, and other outreach messaging in coordination with program staff.
- Take clear, usable event photographs and maintain accurate names, titles, affiliations, quotations, and caption information.
- Coordinate with event organizers and program representatives to identify priority activities, interview subjects, and story opportunities.
- Work proactively with Naval STEM program representatives, laboratories, mentors, and alumni to identify potential stories and communications opportunities.
- Coordinate with NSCO and program staff to support communications priorities and maintain consistent program messaging.
- Support outreach and recruitment activities by engaging with students, educators, and other participants at selected events and providing program information.
- Follow requirements for photography, consent, privacy, personally identifiable information, operational security, and release authorization.
- Verify facts and technical information with subject-matter experts and program representatives.
- Prepare content for technical, programmatic, security, privacy, branding, and public-release review.
- Incorporate reviewer feedback and maintain version control, approval records, release status, and final approved files.
- Ensure draft or unapproved content is not published or distributed through unauthorized channels.
- Manage multiple assignments, reviews, deadlines, and revisions.
- Maintain editorial calendars, assignment trackers, interview notes, source information, photographs, and related content files.
- Coordinate with program management to track upcoming communications needs, assignments, and deliverable status.
- Travel periodically to outreach events and program locations, including occasional overnight, multi-day, evening, or weekend assignments.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Long-term and short-term disability insurance and term life insurance.
- 401(k) with safe harbor contribution.
- Paid time off and 11 paid holidays.
- Tuition and career development assistance.
- A selection of voluntary benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
