Science Communication Assistant – Gulf Islands National Seashore

Start/End Dates: May 11, 2025 – August 9, 2025 (12 weeks)

Mosaics in Science seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. You must be (additional requirement):

• A U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Have a valid driver’s license.

• A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.

Position Description:
This position will be supervised by the Visual Information Specialist and will work in the Resource and Education (Interpretation) division. Currently, there is no education specialist capable of communicating science or researching natural resources. The intern will help fill this gap by researching, creating products, and educating staff and visitors on natural and scientific topics within the two-state districts of the parks in Mississippi and Florida, using communication platforms such as social media and other platforms suggested by the intern. Public programs or Zoom livestreams may also be considered. However, the work will primarily take place in Florida.

The intern will also shadow other divisions, particularly the Science and Resources section, to facilitate information sharing and help develop program language, content, and materials for future park programs. Most of the work will involve creating written and digital content for social media posts (Facebook and Instagram) and the park website.

This position may require traveling to remote locations by boat and/or UTV, as well as customer service tasks and working outdoors with a variety of people for long periods.

 

Responsibilities:

• Create social media posts three times a week, including videos and photos on Instagram and Facebook.
• Capture video for future reference.
• Author one article.
• Help capture photographs for park inventory.
• Research and create program materials.
• Assist with special events and outreach.
• Lead or assist with public programs, which are informal and may cover topics such as climate change, habitats or ecosystems, sustainability, responsible recreation, terrain, night sky, and more.
• Assist with community education.
• Shadow other park roles, such as shorebird and turtle patrols, and interpretation.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with social media.
• Photography skills.
• Videography skills.
• Proficient with digital cameras.
• Strong writing skills.
• Computer skills.
• Customer service experience.
• Public speaking abilities.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (a bonus).
• Background in science, with formal education in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies, or similar fields, or communications or media experience.

Interns in this program will receive 480 hours towards the Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. See below for more information:

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and be selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.