[Hiring] Communications Independent Contractor @American Ornithological Society

Role Description

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) is seeking a Communications Independent Contractor to help expand our member-focused communications through our website, blog, social media, and other channels. This will be a part-time, temporary, contracted position with the AOS. This individual will not be an employee of the AOS.

The Communications Independent Contractor will generally assist with tasks supporting the AOS communications and marketing efforts, including:

• Content creation for website and social media
• Proofreading and editing
• Graphic design
• Blog content review
• Email communications
• Social media engagement

This position will engage with the ornithological community and cutting-edge scientific research. The work will be overseen by the Communications and Marketing Manager.

Position Type: Independent Contractor; Hourly; Temporary

Position Term: 6–12 months, depending on hours available per week

Hours: 8–16 hours per week, depending on availability

Expectations and Specific Deliverables

• Availability to work from a U.S. location during AOS’s business hours that overlap with the Communications and Marketing Manager (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. MST)
• Researching to find resources and opportunities to include in the AOS member resource hub
• Updating the website with new information, toolkits, relevant news articles, and sign-on letters
• Designing high-quality, creative, and engaging social media content for distribution
• Working under the direction of the Communications and Marketing Manager to implement the AOS’s digital media marketing and communications strategy
• Assisting with content development for the AOS blog, Wing Beat
• Periodic updating of content for AOS websites and social media
• Coordination of website and marketing assets
• Outreach to committee chairs and member volunteers
• Frequent check-ins with the Communications and Marketing Manager
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Excellent time management skills and strong work ethic
• Proofreading and editing experience with scientific content (focus in ornithology or wildlife biology preferred)
• Experience using AP and Chicago style guides
• Experience editing in MS Word and Google Docs environments
• Adherence to AOS house styles
• Two years of experience using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and/or working in the Canva creative environment
• Two+ years of experience creating content and interacting in social media platforms
• Two+ years of experience with basic website and email content management, including the Wordpress platform
• Experience with Zoom video conferencing software
• Familiarity working in the Google Workspace Environment
• Excellent written and oral interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines

Desired Skills, Qualities, and Experiences

• Prior work with a nongovernmental nonprofit organization
• Video editing experience using iMovie or similar is a plus
• Experience using generative AI tools
• Commitment to the principles of DEIBJ (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice)
• Personal qualities of continual curiosity and willingness to learn and grow
• A desire to work on a small-but-mighty highly professional team
• Ability to exercise—or hone—excellent judgment in managing workflow
• A passion for and commitment to the AOS’s mission, guidelines for professional conduct and ethics, and strategic goals

Requirements

• This position requires reliable access to high-speed internet, a computer, and the ability to sit for long periods at a desk with a computer
• The Communications Independent Contractor will need to have a dedicated home office that allows for frequent online check-ins via Zoom and Google Meet

Disclosure

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