The Geological Society of America seeks to hire a Director of Geoscience Policy and External Relations – Washington D.C.

The Geological Society of America is seeking a Director of Geoscience Policy and External Relations to join our Team!

About Us

The Geological Society of America (GSA) (https://www.geosociety.org) unites a diverse community of geoscientists in a common purpose to study the mysteries of our planet (and beyond) and share scientific findings. Members and friends around the world, from academia, government, and industry, participate in GSA meetings, publications, and programs at all career levels, to foster professional excellence. GSA values and supports inclusion through cooperative research, public dialogue on earth issues, science education, and the application of geoscience in the service of humankind. 

GSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and GSA is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. This commitment is embodied in our organizational policies, and the way we do business at GSA, and is an important principle of sound business management. Please see GSA’s Commitment to Diversity.

The Job

The Director of Geoscience Policy and External Relations (DGPER) is a pivotal role responsible for advancing GSA’s public policy initiatives. Acting as a central hub within a network that connects various roles and responsibilities, this position will focus on enhancing visibility, fostering relationships, supporting fundraising efforts, mentoring and engaging early career members while working diligently in support of advancing the geosciences and the crucial societal issues identified by GSA. The DGPER is expected to continually align geoscience policy initiatives with important societal issues and will work to advance the overall perception of science in society and on Capitol Hill. The DGPER will continuously work to highlight the value of the geosciences to relevant and current issues facing policymakers. The DGPER will work closely with the senior leadership team to ensure their work is fully integrated into other GSA departments and advances GSA's mission and goals overall. The DGPER will handle administrative tasks such as committee support, arranging congressional visits and other policy events on individual and group levels, and producing a regular geoscience public policy newsletter for GSA members and supporters, with support from the Science Policy Fellow and other DC office staff.

Key Essential functions include but not limited to:

Leadership and Coordination:

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the GSA's Geology and Public Policy Committee (GPPC) and as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the GPPC. Regularly engage with the GPPC chair and other members.
• Engage the GSA divisions, such as the GSA Geology and Society Division, while maintaining and growing connections with external organizations on broader geoscience policy issues.
• Provide leadership in formulating public policy through active involvement in national and state decision-making processes. This position is responsible for facilitating effective communication and information exchange between GSA leadership, Congress, and other political entities to ensure optimal influence and outcomes.
• Work closely with the GSA senior leadership staff and volunteers to ensure the thought leadership provided by the GSA Public Policy office is fully integrated into other GSA departments and that the work of the GSA Public Policy office advances GSA's mission and goals overall.
• Facilitate the GPPC meetings as well as Congressional visits, including individual visits, group visits, and multi-organizational events.
• Manage and serve as a mentor for the Congressional Science Fellowship program.
• Handle administrative tasks related to the role, including event and committee meeting planning, with some support from the DC office staff.

Relationship Building:

• Establish, grow, and maintain relationships with relevant government agencies and state, congressional, and Executive Branch entities impacting science, research, education, and science-related public policy.
• In coordination with other GSA departments, increase GSA member involvement in public policy development activities, envision and create membership initiatives that engage meaningfully with public policy in order to expand the GSA membership base.
• Maintain and establish working relationships with science-relevant federal lobbying firms to effectively communicate GSA public policy initiatives.

Policy Communication:

• Facilitate the GPPC’s editing and revisions of the GSA Position Statements on important societal issues and promote and utilize the position statements, which represent GSA member perspectives in other aspects of the role
• Lead efforts to communicate GSA’s views on geoscience policy issues to relevant agencies, state, congressional and Executive Branch entities.
• Identifies and secures opportunities and then helps prepare briefs and testimony for hearings and meetings, presenting testimony when requested by the GSA President or Executive Director and CEO and equipping them and/or other key GSA leaders to do so.
• Ensure consistent external representation and partnerships, leading and participating in coalitions and working groups relevant to GSA’s mission.
• Collaborate with other GSA departments to ensure the use of the most advanced tools and techniques to reach broad audiences with effective, targeted messaging.

Program Development:

• Develop innovative programming to address gaps in the geoscience policy ecosystem, focusing on supporting students and early career professionals and leveraging GSA’s unique strengths.
• Organize activities such as policy-related field trips, policy briefings, climate science advocacy activities, webinars, and technical sessions at GSA and other meetings.

Engagement Strategies:

• Understand the evolving motivations and success metrics of Congress, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations and develop innovative and demonstrably highly effective strategies for their engagement with GSA.
• Continuously educate oneself on membership trends by demographic to develop a keen understanding of the motivations and needs of different generational groups and assist in creating toolkits and engaging programs accordingly.

Fundraising and Resource Development:

• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential sponsors and grant-making organizations to secure funding for GSA’s public policy initiatives.
• Support the development and submission of grant proposals and other fundraising documents, ensuring that GSA’s policy work is well-positioned to attract external funding.

State-Level Geoscience Policy:

• Attract and organize State Geologists into casual discussion sessions and potential meetings with policymakers at regional meetings in order to build relationships and discuss state-level geoscience policy issues.
• Expand involvement and communication of state and local earth-science policy issues.
• Collaborate with the American Association of State Geologists (AASG) with regular discussions and by providing updates on opportunities for their involvement with GSA committees and meetings.

Other Duties:

Other duties as assigned to support the mission and objectives of the GSA

Supervision:

• Supervises the Science Policy Fellow (term-limited position)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience

• Proven track record of establishing and maintaining relationships with key personnel.
• Substantial background in science policy. A strong understanding of earth science is essential; expertise is preferred.
• Experience testifying before Congress and science advisory bodies.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Advanced Degree in relevant field preferred
• Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards in all activities and engagement

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrable self-initiative and the capability to manage a small office with very important contacts.
• Experience building and leading coalitions of scientific organizations and organizing congressional briefings and science exhibitions.
• Demonstrable business acumen combined with an understanding of the academic mindset.
• Demonstrable understanding of the Congressional appropriations and legislative processes.

Working Environment / Physical Activities

• Willingness to travel, including internationally, as needed.
• Extensive computer work, handling multiple projects and deadlines that sometimes require long days and weeks, including outside of regular business hours.
• Ability to move and lift luggage, equipment, and boxes up to 25lbs.

An ideal candidate will have a Master’s and a background in national earth science.

The opportunity is a full-time, exempt position with a presence in the GSA Washington D.C. office and availability for a hybrid work environment at times. The annual salary range is $116,000 - $125,000. GSA provides excellent benefits, including medical, dental, PTO, sick time, life insurance, 403(b) retirement, and opportunities for professional development. Additional recognized time off includes Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024.

If you are interested in this position, please review the full job description and submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references; please click link below.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply immediately. Submissions will be reviewed immediately. This posting will close on October 20, 2024.

GSA is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. This commitment is embodied in Organization policy and the way we do business at GSA and is an important principle of sound business management. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: minority/female/disability/veteran.