Faculty Research Assistant-Multimedia Communications Fellow at University of Maryland Eastern Shore in UMCES Sea Grant College, MD

Job description

Job Description Summary & Additional Information About UMCES and Maryland Sea Grant The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is a premier research institution dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of the environment and applying that knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges. With a mission to conduct world-class research, educate future environmental leaders, and provide unbiased scientific information to inform public policy, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) plays a vital role in protecting and restoring our natural resources. UMCES researchers work across a wide range of disciplines, from ecology and oceanography to environmental economics and social science, to understand complex environmental challenges facing Maryland, the nation, and the world. For over 40 years, Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) has worked to support research to address knowledge gaps in science-based management; to guide extension and outreach efforts to engage multiple audiences; and to drive formal and nonformal education work to build a science-literate workforce across the Chesapeake and coastal bays and their watersheds. Integrating among these efforts, MDSG creates programming to address critical environmental issues, including restoring water quality, supporting sustainable fisheries, addressing climate change, and building resilient communities. Maryland Sea Grant fosters healthy coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies through science, education, outreach, and broad collaboration. Position Summary Maryland Sea Grant’s Multimedia Communications Fellowship is an opportunity to work alongside a team of professional communicators while honing science storytelling skills. This is a one-year, full-time fellowship opportunity with the option to renew. The Multimedia Communications Fellow will use communications tools and techniques to explain and share findings from scientists, extension specialists, and other sources to help advance public understanding and management of Maryland’s coastal resources. This person will join Maryland Sea Grant’s communications team, which produces digital and print content for a range of audiences. These communications products include our award-winning Chesapeake Quarterly magazine, our website (mdsg.umd.edu), videos, articles, social media, and reports and other publications. The successful candidate will have created and published multimedia communications products, including video productions and photography. They should be proficient in shooting, editing, and producing video and still photography using DSLR or mirrorless cameras, lighting, and audio equipment. They should have experience with editing software and an understanding of video compression, file types, and publishing. This role will provide real-world experience in researching, reporting, and writing, as well as collaborative work as part of a team. The fellowship will build the successful candidate’s skills in combining technical information with creative storytelling to explain complex scientific concepts accurately and clearly for non-scientist audiences. This is a hybrid position. The fellow will have office space at the Maryland Sea Grant office in College Park, Maryland, and will be required to come into the office following a hybrid working agreement. Fellows will travel for in-person meetings and activities in Maryland and on occasion the Mid-Atlantic region. Our office policy allows remote work several days per week and flexibility in working hours. Responsibilities Specific opportunities of this fellowship include filming and editing video footage for various projects ranging from brief clips to longer videos, photographing projects and events, contributing to writing efforts to include video scripts, blogs, website copy, and reports, and working with our digital media archive. This role will entail an estimated 70% visual multimedia work, such as producing vid