Who we are:
 

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

Position Summary:

The American Physical Society seeks a skilled and experienced writer to join its strategic communications team. Reporting to the Science Communications Manager, the Writer will support APS’s mission to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics by creating compelling and accessible short- and long-form content that connects APS with diverse audiences, including journalists, scientists, the public, and more. This position primarily contributes to press outreach around research published in the Physical Review journals or presented at APS’s meetings. However, it also supports social media, APS News, internal communications, and other communications activities as needed.

APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. This position could require in-office work and travel to attend various events and meetings as instructed by a supervisor. APS values diversity and welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds. APS offers a dynamic work environment with an outstanding total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, exceptional benefits, and excellent paid time off.

 

Content Creation:

• Produce high-quality communication materials: press releases and other press materials, social media content, long-form stories, feature articles, internal blog posts, and more.

• Source or create multimedia assets to accompany written content.

• Review and edit written materials for accuracy, clarity, and style guide adherence to APSs style guide.

Content Strategy & Promotion:

• Identify newsworthy or compelling content for earned and owned media promotion. 

• Assist with communications planning and event logistics for APS meetings' press programs.

Media Monitoring & Reporting:

• Monitor the media landscape to stay up to date on news trends.

• Help track and report on news coverage of APS.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Serve on the APS Style Guide Task Force.

Education: 
 

• Bachelor's degree in science writing, journalism, or a related scientific field is required.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
 

• Minimum of three years experience as a science writer for a news outlet, research organization, scientific publisher, or relevant scientific industry.
• Advanced writing, editing, and interviewing skills.
• Ability to distill complex scientific concepts into clear, concise, and compelling prose.
• Thorough knowledge of journalistic standards and ethics.
• Exceptional understanding of news values and the scientific process.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and relationship-building capabilities.
• Experience using social media to promote scientific communication.
• Proficient in relevant software (EurekAlert!, Muck Rack, Altmetric, Sprout Social).
• Fluent in AP style.
• Background in physics (a plus).

Travel:  This position requires up to 25% travel to attend events and meetings, including travel to APS offices in Long Island, NY; Washington DC; and College Park, MD, as well as other off-site locations for periodic meetings and training sessions. Additional travel may be required as assigned by the supervisor.

 

Salary:

The salary range for this position takes into account various factors influencing compensation decisions, such as skill sets, experience, training, and other business and organizational requirements. The salary listed within the specified ranges considers relevant experience. Our compensation philosophy at APS aims to maintain salaries at the midpoint of the market. As a result, we typically hire within the target starting range. Exceptional, rare cases may merit reviews above target starting range for specialized or niche skills aligned with strategic operational goals.

Hiring Range: $55,552/year - $78,414/year (USD)

Target Starting Range: $55,552/year - $64,026/year (USD)

Work Environment:

Our physical offices are located in College Park, MD, Washington D.C and Hauppauge, N.Y. We are operational in most US states. We are not operational in all 50 states. The APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access within the United States, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. APS allows flexible work hours; responsiveness is required, however, during the core 9 am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time workday.

Our Core Values:

• The Scientific Method
• Truth and Integrity
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
• Partnering, Cooperation, and Open Collaboration
• Speaking Out
• Education and Learning

Web Presence:

Company: www.aps.org 

 

Amazing 2024 Benefit Offerings:

• Flexible schedules and ability to work remotely
• 8% employer-paid retirement contribution
• Investment advisement services: 100% employer paid
• Medical benefits: PPO or HDHP option
• Employer contribution to FSA or HSA account, eligibility based on medical plan enrollment
• Lifestyle Spending benefit up to $2000.00 (USD) - 100% employer paid
• Dental benefits:  individual coverage 100% employer paid
• Vision benefits: individual and dependent coverage 100% employer paid
• Basic Life & Accident insurance: employee coverage 100% employer paid
• Supplemental Life & Accident insurance, including spouse & dependent child(ren) coverage
• Disability insurance:  employee coverage 100% employer paid
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness insurance
• Healthcare, Commuter & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Vacation: 15 days annually
• Generous holiday leave: 17 paid days of significance; includes one week closure at the end of December
• Personal leave: 4 days annually
• Volunteer leave: 1 day annually
• Sick leave: 10 days annually
• Bereavement & Compassion leave: 2 -15 days based on loss
• 12 weeks employer-paid family leave
• College tuition reimbursement plan
• Job related seminar & continuing education
• Professional Certification/Recertification 100% employer paid
• Training and professional development; access to LinkedIn Learning on-demand courses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mindfulness Meditation: live and on-demand classes
• APS does not offer relocation assistance/costs

 

 

The American Physical Society is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of American Physical Society not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of race, religious creed, immigration status, alienage or citizenship, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, protected veteran status, protected military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, ancestry, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at APS. The American Physical Society is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources at hr@aps.org. The “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal'' poster, prepared by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), provides an overview of several laws that protect you from discrimination on the job, and several rights are afforded to you by these laws. The “Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision,” prepared by the U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), provides an overview of several protections implemented to protect individuals working under federal contracts from discrimination when inquiring about or discussing compensation; these protections apply to all employees and applicants. The APS has a "remote first" concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. 
 

 

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