Communications Specialist II - Science Communications

**Job Title**

Communications Specialist II - Science Communications

**Agency**

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

**Department**

Marketing and Communications

**Proposed Minimum Salary**

Commensurate

**Job Location**

College Station, Texas

**Job Type**

Staff

**Job Description**

**About Texas A&M AgriLife**

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

* [Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service](https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/)
* [Texas A&M AgriLife Research](https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/)
* [College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University](https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/)
* [Texas A&M Forest Service](https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/)
* [Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory](https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/)

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click [**here**](https://agrilife.tamu.edu/) to learn more about how ***you*** can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

**Position Information:**

As a member of Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications, this role strategizes, develops and executes comprehensive communications activities aimed at elevating the thought leadership and visibility of Texas A&M AgriLife. The position is charged with elevating the quality, rigor and reach of Texas A&M AgriLife's science writing and communication - translating complex research into clear, accurate and engaging content for public, media and stakeholder audiences. This includes writing for AgriLife Today's digital newsroom and magazine, supporting science-based earned media efforts and contributing to web content for Texas A&M AgriLife's KPEP sites, and serving as the dedicated communications steward for an assigned portfolio of AgriLife units. This person holds a passion for the life sciences, strong science writing skills and the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible, compelling content for a range of audiences.

**Key Responsibilities:**

**Science Writing and Content Strategy**

* Serve as a science writer for Texas A&M AgriLife, elevating the standard, clarity and impact of research storytelling across the organization.
* Write and edit science-driven stories, features and news content for AgriLife Today, ensuring accuracy, appropriate context and accessibility for both scientific and general-public audiences.
* Translate technical findings from faculty, researchers and Extension specialists into narratives suitable for digital newsroom distribution and earned media pickup.
* Coordinate across internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to leadership, social media, photo/video, media relations, web, graphic design, etc.

**Assigned Unit Stewardship**

* Serve as the dedicated communications point of contact for assigned units, building ongoing relationships with department heads, center directors, faculty and staff to identify story opportunities.
* Proactively track research publications, grants, awards and AgriLife Extension milestones within assigned units to surface newsworthy content.
* Coordinate with unit leadership to align messaging with departmental and college priorities and maintain a consistent editorial cadence for each unit.

**Web Content and Communications**

* Contribute to and help maintain web content on KPEP websites, ensuring content is current, accurate and consistent with Texas A&M AgriLife's editorial and brand standards.
* Steward brand messaging, voice and tone across platforms to ensure consistency in messaging and alignment with the overall communications strategy.
* Serve as back-up and extra support as needed for the Texas A&M AgriLife-wide digital calendar.
* Manage and support ad hoc projects and assignments, in coordination with the web team.

**Analytics and Reporting**

* Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication efforts and campaigns using metrics and analytics tools.
* Prepare reports and presentations for internal stakeholders, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement, including on assigned unit content performance.

**Other Duties:**

* Performs other duties as assigned.

**Required Education and Experience:**

* Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
* Two years of related experience.

**Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:**

* Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
* Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills.
* Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
* Ability to present information clearly and concisely.

**Preferred Qualifications**

* Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Agricultural Communications, Life Sciences or a related field.
* Master's degree in a relevant field.
* 3+ years of experience in science writing, journalism or communications, ideally in a research, higher education or agricultural setting.
* Experience writing for a digital newsroom, magazine or news publication.
* Prior experience covering agriculture, natural resources or life sciences research.

**Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities**

* Strong writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into clear, accurate content for general audiences.
* Working knowledge of AP style and journalistic writing conventions.
* Familiarity with the life sciences, agriculture, natural resources or a related scientific field sufficient to interview researchers and accurately represent their work.
* Experience building and maintaining relationships with faculty, researchers or subject-matter experts to identify and develop story ideas.
* Understanding of earned media and media relations practices, including pitching science stories to journalists.
* Strong project management skills, with ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
* Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills for coordinating across marketing and communications functions (social media, photo/video, graphic design, media relations).
* Ability to maintain brand voice, tone and editorial consistency across multiple platforms and content types.

**What You Need to Know**

**Salary:**  Pay Grade: 9.  Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

**This position is based in College Station, TX.**

**Note:** New hires are required to work on site full-time for the first 90 days. After the initial 90-day period, employees may be considered for a flexible work arrangement that allows up to 20 hours per week at an alternate work location, subject to approval and Texas A&M AgriLife Procedures.

**Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?**

When you choose to ***work*** for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

* [Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance](https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/) with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
* 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
* Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
* Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
* Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

**Applicant Instructions**

A cover letter, resume, and references are strongly recommended. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.