Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) has an opening for a science writer to join a highly visible communications team supporting NASA Earth science and satellite mission outreach. The position is full-time and will have the option to work onsite at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, or work remotely.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for communicating about Earth and environmental science, as well as its applications. This could range from short science briefs to news stories to feature-length articles for the public or media, and support project scientists on the development of website or presentation content for the data user community and/or stakeholders. The position will also involve curating, editing, and updating sections of a satellite mission's science website. The science writer will be expected to show an attention to detail, while also developing an ability to handle/juggle multiple projects that have competing deadlines. As a translator between scientists and engineers and the public, you will need patience, an ability to accept constructive criticism, and a healthy self-confidence in your craft.

Applicants must supply three writing samples.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Strategize, develop, and write science content that communicates the value of the Earth observation data and the latest research via feature stories, science briefs, and profiles of data users which involves coordinating and conducting interviews.
• Attend NASA internal and other scientific meetings to interact with the public and data users and identify sources for stories. (Travel required less than 10% of the time.)
• Support mission project scientist requests for science content and written communication materials for stakeholders and data users (e.g., web content for upcoming missions, fact sheets, presentations).
• Curate mission News content on the website and disseminate a monthly newsletter comprising list of recently published content.
• Collaborate with the social media team on the development of posts to promote new stories and web content.
• Support the team in updating content on the mission's science website (via WordPress), including updating existing or out-of-date content, supporting the migration of web content for NASA's web modernization effort, and collaborating on the development of new and unique content (e.g., StoryMaps, infographics).
• Support the outreach team with editing scripts, infographics, event highlights, and various print and electronic content for conferences and events.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree and 2-3 years developing science content for the mainstream public or news media; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines;
• Strong organizational skills to track multiple projects;
• Ability to work within a distributed team - including the ability to accept and adapt to constructive criticism and editing;
• Experience with WordPress or similar web content management tools.
• US Citizenship required.

Preferred, but not required:

• Master's degree or equivalent work experience in science communications related to Earth or physical sciences;
• Experience writing for stakeholder and niche audiences;
• Some education or reporting experience in Earth science, remote sensing, and data applications;
• Experience using NASA Earth science data and/or data tools (e.g., Worldview, Giovanni, AppEEARS, Earthdata Search, etc.);

EOE, including disability/vets

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.