Manager, Local Media Outreach

AAAS
Washington D.C.
.
February 11 2019
Other, Other
Non-Profit

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manager, Local Media Outreach to join our SciLine team. Reporting to the Editorial Director, you will work closely with the Associate Director for News and Operations and others on the SciLine staff to identify science-related news stories of potential interest primarily to local and general assignment reporters in small and medium media-market communities and create and package explanatory materials to help relevant reporters cover those stories in ways meaningful to their local audiences.

Are you ready to be a Force for Science?

What You’ll Do

  • Work closely with SciLine’s Associate Director for News and Operations, and in consultation with the Associate Director for Science, to develop, pilot, and implement a locally focused science news pitching service
  • Scan embargoed and published research reports to identify new findings or emerging science-related trends, with an eye towards newsworthiness
  • Identify individual reporters, publications, and/or localities for which identified research or research trends may be particularly relevant
  • Create written and other materials that clarify the importance, scientific context, and local relevance of the identified potential news stories, along with customized expert source information and other metadata/materials that would help local or general assignment reporters with print or broadcast platforms understand and cover that news for a local audience
  • Maintain relationships with relevant editors and/or public information officers at scientific publishers and other sources of newsworthy science information to facilitate access to emerging news stories and trends, and to ensure compliance with journal embargos and other dissemination policies as necessary
  • Research and implement improved outreach methods over time and develop metrics to track pitching program efficacy
  • Additional duties as assigned, including sharing responsibilities with other staffers in planning and producing SciLine’s full range of science/journalism-related products and events

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a scientific discipline or journalism preferred; television experience highly valued
  • Minimum 7 years’ professional experience in science-related journalism (including health or environment reporting), or communications (including public affairs or media relations) with excellent ability to read, digest, and quickly extract meaning from scientific and technical papers
  • Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills
  • Excellent online research skills
  • Excellent news judgment and enthusiasm about the role of evidence in journalism
  • Good marketing instincts and design skills
  • Ability to work independently, but appreciative of collaborative inputs
  • Undaunted and even excited by the challenge of growing a startup from the bottom up

Application Process

Submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position by March 7, 2019. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. A Recruiter will contact you with next steps if you are selected for an interview.

AAAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.