Executive Officer, Australian Science Communicators

• 10 – 15 hours per week (approx)
• $65 per hour
• Remote/National role
• Job-sharing possible

About the role

The Executive Officer is the central hub for Australian Science Communicators (ASC) member enquiries and supporter of the National Executive Committee’s projects and initiatives. 

In the immediate term, we are seeking the support of a contractor for on average 12 hours per week – this can vary from week to week as issues crop up.

ASC is transitioning to a new combined member and web management platform (Membes), so this role offers the chance to help design and implement new systems that make the most of this very flexible tool.

Currently the Executive Officer is the only paid role at ASC, but this may change with strategic review. This role itself may evolve, and the Executive Officer would have the opportunity to input to the design of this, and may be provided with professional development opportunities to support their career.

This is an opportunity for someone who has an interest in science communication to become an integral part of the community, to deepen their knowledge, extend their networks and make a real impact in the sector.

Key accountabilities

• Provide executive support to the National Executive Committee
• Be the key point of contact for all general office and member enquiries and respond to these in a timely manner
• Use our membership management platform to manage and modify membership information, extract data and reports, raise and edit invoices, and other membership-related tasks
• Manage online account access, subscriptions and services and keep information up to date
• Manage other administration-related and ad-hoc tasks, keep documentation organised and up to date
• Assist with bookkeeping, invoicing and accounting-related tasks where needed
• Facilitate communication with the members via the website and social media
• Assist with planning and running events
• Other activities as requested by the National Executive Committee

We want someone who 

• Has excellent communication and customer service skills
• Can manage their own time and priorities
• Has flexibility in their schedule to monitor email inboxes at least once every 24-48 hours and allocate enough time to respond to enquiries when needed
• Can rapidly problem-solve around complex technologies and systems
• Has an ABN

It would be nice if that someone:

• Has experience in a similar role
• Is familiar with the principles of using a CRM and accounting software such as Xero
• Can dedicate extra initial hours for learning systems.
• Has flexibility to increase hours seasonally and occasionally travel (e.g. around National Conference preparation)
• Has experience with planning and posting to digital communication platforms – e.g. website, social media, email systems
• Has experience in running events

To apply, send one page outlining why you are suited to the role to office@asc.asn.au, including one referee.

The role will be filled once a suitable candidate has been found.

About the Australian Science Communicators

The Australian Science Communicators asc.asn.au is a not-for-profit peak body for science communication in Australia. Established in 1994, it represents a body of over 200 members who work across extremely diverse facets of science communication. It is run by a volunteer council of around ten individuals.

Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM AEDT

This month, Jen will be joined by the ASC 2024 Unsung Hero of Science Communication, Dr Catriona Nguyen-Robertson.

Catriona started as an immunologist and is now an enthusiastic science communicator and educator, teaching STEM students how to communicate their research or complex scientific information.

Come along and see the many and varied ways she shares her science and passion with diverse audiences.

Join the zoom event here.

THE CASE FOR HOPE

Professor Joan Leach, Former ASC National President, & Director, the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), ANU

5.30 PM AEDT, Wednesday 18 December 2024, in person and online

Although recent events have seen some setbacks for science communication, there are good things happening too.

Professor Leach will outline a number of positive developments at both the national and international level that will give you a more positive outlook for the festive season and the new year.

In person in Canberra and online, with watch parties in various states (watch this space for updates)

Online for members only: Registration essential: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82465259981?pwd=mAFHDWqCt3E1gLYsxpVbmHzsqDWawP.1

Canberra: Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic,  ASC Members receive a free drink coupon.

Brisbane: Watch Party 4.30 AEST – University of QLD, St Lucia campus, Room 39-103 – Colin Clark Building. Live stream followed by networking at St Lucy’s Cucina, where people can purchase a drink and snacks if they wish. ASC Members receive a free drink coupon.

Building location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwoYyDtJGNA4d3HZ6 Getting to UQ information: https://campuses.uq.edu.au/st-lucia

About Joan Leach

I have held the role of Director of the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the ANU (colloquially known as ‘CPAS’) since January 2016. Given the broad nature of CPAS’s research and teaching interests in science communication, public engagement, policy, knowledge brokering, risk, and ethics, I strive to make the Centre a home for inter- and transdisciplinary research and collaboration. 

My own research and teaching centres on theories of the public in science communication, language and rhetoric in science (both in public and in technical contexts), and the challenge of ethics in science communication. I’m most interested in sociological accounts of knowledge production and I edited the journal Social Epistemology for 9 years. 

I am a past president of Australian Science Communicators, a founding member of the American Association for the Rhetoric of Science and Technology, and am previous Chair of the National Committee for History and Philosophy of Science at the Australian Academy of Science. 

As new members of Science and Technology Australia (STA), ASC for the first time will be part of Science Meets Parliament, so below is your chance to have some input on that.

In this program, STA organises meetings between representatives of their member organisations (mostly scientific professional bodies) and members of parliament. 

We – Claire Harris, Adam Selinger and Phil Dooley – will be the ASC delegate reps at this event, and would like to hear what conversations you – the members – would like to happen, when we get our 15 minutes of limelight with the decision-makers of the country.

We feel this first go at the event will be a learning and listening exercise for us. There may be a small chance for us to lobby on some issue or other, but primarily, we’d like to find out more about how politicians engage with science.

We invite you to offer suggestions via the form below.

Go here to leave your suggestions

Update – Claire, Adam and Phil will be joined by Isabella and Preeti who are also attending as a scholarship winner and as a general delegates. Any contribution to this form will be shared with them also.

This is the official notice of the Australian Science Communicators’ Special General Meeting, to be held in Melbourne during the ASC2020 Conference February 2020 When: Tuesday 18 February, 1.15pm Where: Learning and Teaching Building, Monash Clayton Campus, Victoria. RSVP: secretary@asc.asn.au Only financial ASC members are eligible to attend the SGM. Please check you have renewed your membership community.asc.asn.au Agenda items and notices of motions Proposed agenda items include

• Redefining quorum for meetings, for a consistent approach between state and national level.
• Notification to trial allowing observer or proxy attendance to National Council meetings to facilitate greater involvement of members.
• Capitation review

Constitutional Amendment Notice Reason for proposed amendments: We are proposing to reduce the definition of a quorum to 10% of financial members or 20 members, whichever is the less.  The purpose of this amendment is to be consistent with a workable approach for state branches. This was a suggestion arising from the 2019 AGM. Current:

1. Committee meetings and quorum

(2)One quarter of the total number of members entitled under these rules to vote at a general meeting, or twenty members including proxies (whichever is the lesser) constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a general meeting. Proposed change:

1. Committee meetings and quorum

(2) Ten percent of the total number of members entitled under these rules to vote at a general meeting, or twenty members including proxies (whichever is the lesser) constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a general meeting. Proxies Members unable to attend the SGM in person can provide an online proxy. This will allow members to nominate another current ASC member attending the meeting to hold their proxy, or alternatively the National Secretary (Phil Dooley). Proxy form is here. Please note, organisations that have a membership may nominate only one (1) representative to vote