Conservation Communications Specialist
Location: Center for Conservation and Sustainability, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC
Duration: 6-month contract with possibility for extension
Compensation: $26,000 for 6 months
The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation and Sustainability (CCS) is seeking a highly motivated bilingual communications specialist to disseminate results and achievements of its partnership with ITAIPU Binational, Paraguay.
About CCS:
CCS works with industry partners to evaluate and monitor the impact of infrastructure development on biodiversity and ecosystem services and to design and test best practices for biodiversity. CCS strives to (1) promote science-based approaches to sustainable infrastructure development through transformative partnerships; 2) leverage Smithsonian expertise; 3) transfer skills and knowledge to build capacity; 4) build and sustain the long-term presence in high-biodiversity land and seascapes that is required to institutionalize sustainable infrastructure practices.
In Paraguay, CCS has been collaborating with ITAIPU Binational since the 1990s. Located in the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest region of Paraguay and Brazil, it is the largest hydro-power facility in South America and the second largest in the world. In 2017, this collaboration expanded into a new area: creation of an International Center for in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the region’s precious wildlife. Under this collaboration, CCS provides research and guidance in best practices to staff at ITAIPU’s Center for Wildlife Research, new zoological park, and network of protected areas. The contractor’s work will focus on the CCS-ITAIPU project.
Duties to include:
• Develop a communications and digital strategy for multiple audiences for in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects • Design and implement communications workshops in Spanish and English • Develop bilingual digital news updates • Contribute to the development of presentations • Design and develop brochures, biodiversity field guides, and other printed content • Produce new CCS communications content, including website content, blog posts, social media posts, among others • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders • Track the success of communications products and content • Perform other duties as needed
Qualifications:
• Spoken and written fluency in English and Spanish and excellent communication skills in both languages • Bachelor’s degree required, with major or strong interest in conservation communications; Master’s degree a plus • 3-5 years of experience in communications, with an emphasis in science preferred • Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks • Ability to work well both independently and with a team • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, web platforms, HTML, Google Analytics, and other web-related skills, such as digital graphic design and video creation
How to Apply:
Applicants should email: 1) a letter of interest detailing qualifications for the position, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for three professional references (institution, title, email address, phone number) to Tremaine Gregory: gregoryt@si.edu. Please include “Communications Specialist application†in the subject line of the email.
Deadline: December 1, 2019