Resume

Expertise

Science Communications

Public Relations

Media Training

Press Releases

Science Feature Stories

Social Media Campaigns

Staff Management

Public Affairs Specialist/Acting Deputy Public Affairs Officer/Acting Public Affairs Officer

U.S. Geological Survey

Strategic communication planning and implementation in support of ecosystems science including invasive species science, wildlife and zoonotic disease, wildfire research and pollinators

Write news releases, feature stories, audio and video scripts, presentations, and other materials to communicate earth and environmental science

Collect and summarize input from specialized groups or individuals through surveys and group meetings, and prepare reports and recommendations to management on perceptions of various research programs and activities

Establish rapport with continuously changing stakeholders and associates including, but not limited to relevant professional societies, science organizations, industry representatives, and public and private institutions of higher education

Use basic understanding of biological sciences in developing information and conducting analyses to select and present information on specialized ecosystems-related topics in a form and at a level appropriate for the intended audience

Fully utilizes contemporary computer technologies and web-based applications, techniques and tools to disseminate information and communications on science programs and activities

Track social media reach and engagement

Work with national reporters to promote the organization’s research and monitoring via site visits, field trips, interviews and activities at conferences

Supervise and mentor communications staff

Interact with Department of the Interior Office of Communications to educate, elevate and amplify bureau science

Work with DOI bureaus’ communications leadership to coordinate messages on intersecting issues 

Organized and led community events such as center open houses to communicate the organization’s science mission to its publics

Created and implemented communications plans based on audience and organizational research

Conducted focus groups and analyzed and synthesized resulting data

Develop talking points for scientists and senior leadership

Write and produced internal communications, including leaders’ blogs and podcasts

Worked with local, regional and national reporters to promote the organization’s science via site visits, field trips, interviews and activities at the annual Society of Environmental Journalists conferences

Related skills

• Media and public relations
• Social media engagement
• Relationship building
• Media training
• Staff management
• Oral presentations
• Researching, analyzing, distilling, and presenting complicated topics to diverse stakeholder groups
• Large-scale communication planning
• Writing for a range of products, including news releases, technical announcements, short- and long-form feature stories, and social media posts
• Editing science communications for lay audience
• Focus group facilitation
• In-depth interviewing
• Science event planning and coordination

Detail to U.S. State Department Mission to UNESCO

Developed a cadre of female earth science mentors for the U.S. Mission to UNESCO TeachHer program and facilitated a home for this new group in the UNESCO Education Sector

Conducted independent qualitative research on gender and earth science in Africa, exploring the challenges and opportunities faced by women geoscientists; and on gender and UNESCO Global Geoparks to explore the roles of women in Geoparks around the world

Advised on the engagement of women in, and expectations of geotourists at two aspiring UNESCO Global Geoparks during site visits to Kenya and Tanzania

Developed hands-on earth science activities about the local geologyto engage and educate primary and secondary students living in the Rift Valley Africa

Related skills:

• Survey design
• Interview question development
• One-to-one interviews
• Writing

Other Work Experience

Doctoral Student-Teaching Assistant, Public Relations, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Information and Education Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL

Biological Technician, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service & U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL

Peace Corps Recruiter, U.S. Peace Corps, Chicago, IL

U.S. Peace Corps, Volunteer, Burundi, Africa

Select Awards

Partnership for Public Service, Excellence in Government Senior Fellow 2016

National Association of Government Communicators Awards for Writer’s Portfolio, and Web Feature, 2014

Department of the Interior Unit Citation Award August 2012 for the USGS Public Lecture Series