Science Communication Assistant Jobs in Ashburn, VA

How You'll Contribute

The National Geographic Society invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries, and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe.
Within NGS, the Science & Innovation team is a department that oversees the Society's grantmaking efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Over the last eighteen years, Pristine Seas, National Geographic's flagship ocean conservation program, has helped to inspire the protection of 31 of the last wild places in the ocean, encompassing more than 6.9 million square kilometers of ocean. We are seeking a Coordinator, Strategy, Pristine Seas, to support and scale our approach over the next five years. Additionally, we aim to cultivate and expand a network of best-in-class partners to build a community of support for protected areas.
The Coordinator, Strategy will report to the Senior Manager, Strategy. This role will be responsible for executing administrative and operational tasks, as well as maintaining knowledge management systems to support the daily functions of the Pristine Seas program. The Coordinator will collaborate closely with the program's strategy, operations, policy, science, communications, and media teams to further Pristine Seas' mission.
This is a fixed-term role ending December 31, 2030.

Your Impact

Internal Communications and Knowledge Management (35%)

• In coordination with the Senior Director, Pristine Seas Communications, support the Pristine Seas Internal Communications Strategy, including collecting, drafting, editing, and distributing key content across internal platforms;

• Coordinate and update the team calendar and email distribution lists;

• Maintain, track, and update shared team resources, with a focus on the team's PS Policy Archive, onboarding resources, and other internal hubs;

• Support the development of visual materials, including onboarding slide decks, updated team templates, and visuals (maps, graphics, etc.);

• Contribute to a positive team culture through regular communication, serving as a point of contact for managing NGS cross-departmental requests for program information and team member questions.

Program Management & Reporting (25%)

• Support the development of the Pristine Seas Annual Plan document;

• In coordination with the Senior Director, Pristine Seas Communication, assist in the development of the Pristine Seas Annual Report;

• Assist in the hiring and management of the Pristine Seas summer intern, as needed;

• Provide ad-hoc support for priority departmental projects, such as grant reporting, as directed by the Senior Manager, Strategy.

Logistics and Events (20%)

• Support the development and execution of logistics and content plans for cross-departmental gatherings, meetings, VIP guest visits, in-country events, and full team retreats in collaboration with Program Operations;

• Support programmatic administration of independent contractors and local partners, including managing meetings and conducting presentations on the Pristine Seas program and its history.

Administrative Support (20%)

• Provide scheduling support for the Strategy and Policy teams, including senior leadership and team-wide coordination;

• Attend and support team meetings, including scheduling, drafting and distributing agendas, taking and distributing notes, tracking action items, and supporting facilitation as needed.

What You'll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor's degree preferred

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

• 2+ years of experience;

• Prior experience, whether through internships, volunteer work, or previous employment, is required. We are seeking highly driven candidates committed to making a significant impact on environmental conservation.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating a proactive and professional demeanor when collaborating with diverse groups, including staff, executives, VIPs, government officials, and local country partners across cultures;

• Demonstrated competencies in anticipating problems, exercising sound business judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making;

• Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail;

• Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality and thrive in a fast-paced environment;

• Excellent writing and public speaking skills; the ability to produce non AI-assisted writing samples;

• Proficient in G-Suite, Microsoft Office, and video conferencing platforms (e.g., Google Meet, Zoom).

Desired Qualifications

• Prior administrative and logistics experience;

• Demonstrated interest in environmental conservation and international affairs;

• Experience in the non-profit and/or environmental sector;

• Attention to detail and ability to understand and prioritize multiple requests and projects while meeting deadlines.

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The hourly range for this position is $25.13 - $26.45.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.