The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Office of Communications at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boulder City, Nevada, is recruiting one Public Affairs Specialist to join GBI’s Research Associates (RA) Program. The ideal candidate will contribute to the mission, purpose, vision and public benefits of the park through digital and social media platforms as well as more traditional means of information exchange. The RA will support public outreach to diverse audiences ranging from employees, government officials and Tribal Nations to media, non-government organizations and individuals. Under direction of the Public Affairs Officer, the RA will use writing, speaking, audiovisual products, and an array of electronic communications, including social media networks, to increase support for the scope of park programs, responsibilities and goals and objectives as well as the mission of the National Park Service.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support development and distribution of park correspondence including brochures, fact sheets, news releases and presentations for diverse audiences through platforms including print, digital, social media and media outlets which convey park news and interpretive themes.
• Develop professional, accurate, clear and fact-based communication products for diverse media outlets using the NPS standards and editorial guides for Office of Communications.
• Assist the Public Affairs Officer, Division Chiefs, and subject matter experts to create, review and modify communications plans and public affairs messaging used by park staff, using diverse media as appropriate to communicate with selected audiences.
• Responsible for the day-to-day content design, operations, maintenance and user support functions for dynamic web and digital media platforms, applications and capabilities.
• Collect and analyze analytics from online outreach to understand trends that will advance the park’s virtual engagement and increase online traffic.
• Assist the Public Affairs Office with clear and efficient emergency response communications, effectively managing sensitive or controversial topics within tight deadlines.
• Capture footage using park camera equipment to support park media products or coordinate with external contractors for productions when in-house capabilities are unavailable.
• Establish and maintain positive professional relationships with internal and external park contacts, including members of the media, communication strategy partners and community members.
• Support research and response to all park information requests from the public, media, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The Public Affairs Specialist RA will support messaging across all park divisions and the Branch of Communications within the park network. The incumbent must be able to collaborate when developing effective communication materials, often with limited to no prior publication examples. This position offers experience working with NPS professionals and will aid in professional development through written and oral communication skills, analytical practices, and interpersonal relations.

Timeline:

• 52-week appointment beginning May/June, 2022
• Full time (40 hours/week)

Location:

This Research Associate position will be based out of Boulder City, Nevada where the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters is located. It is a 20 minute drive from the city of Henderson which lies on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses 1.5 million acres in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, in the transition of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, including mountains, canyons, valleys, and two vast lakes. It hosts 7.5 million visitors per year. From the mouth of the Grand Canyon, the park follows the Arizona-Nevada border along what was formerly 140 miles of the Colorado River. Opportunities for recreation abound.

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Wage: $32.00 per hour
• Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Eligibility: Upon successful completion, members between the ages of 17-30 (35, if you are a veteran) are eligible for non-competitive status for government hiring for two years.
• Paid leave and holidays
• Eligible to enroll in company 401K plan with match contributions
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost

Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• Related degree or coursework in Public Policy, Communications, or related discipline;
• High level skills in professional oral and written communication;
• Familiarity with federal government public relations and policy;
• Desire to advance the mission of the National Park Service and support a variety of strategic park communications;
• Experience with media communications (social media and website), particularly those related to government activities;
• Technical acumen to work with different computer programs to produce outreach and communications materials;
• Strong technical writing, research and presentation experience;
• Knowledge of and practiced experience with photography and/or videography;

Additional requirements:

• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with a diverse public in a variety of forums;
• Motivated, self-starter who is detail-oriented and quality-driven; and
• Possesses a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.

As part of Great Basin Institute’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy, all employees are required to receive and provide proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccine prior to the first day of employment, unless a medical or religious exemption is submitted and approved. All employees covered by this policy are required to be fully vaccinated as a term and condition of employment at Great Basin Institute. Employees are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses.

To review a copy of GBI’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, please visit our Field Updates page for more details. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact one of our staff members.