Bioenergy Career Map: Public Affairs Specialist

• Knowledge of public relations, community relations, advertising, and journalism, including media technical requirements and practices
• Knowledge of the practices and techniques of oral communications in developing and presenting briefings to print and broadcast media
• Knowledge of broadcast media production
• Skill in writing news releases and feature articles for dissemination through print media
• Skill in gathering and evaluating the appropriateness of information communicated through media
• Ability to speak with a diverse audience and participate in meetings to promote the dissemination of information concerning the agency’s public information program.

The bioenergy industry will need good communicators to convey the facts about research and development being conducted in the bioenergy sector. Since bioenergy is an emerging field, it is especially important to have individuals that are able to convey the breakthroughs and possibilities of bioenergy in a general way to educate the public.
 
Individuals in public affairs develop high-quality summaries, reports, memoranda, fact sheets, and presentations that can explain bioenergy science and technology in a more general way. They also establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives in disseminating information or answering inquiries about the science and technology. Public affairs also prepare scientists and engineers to talk about their research on broader scale through talking points and arranging speaking sessions.
 
At the middle level, employees work as public affairs specialists and should have experience developing and providing direction involving public and internal information, as well as community relations activities. A master’s degree in communications or public affairs is recommended. Significant experience in the field and/or related training may substitute for additional education.