Communications Independent Contractor

Position Overview: 

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; and social media. This position will engage with the ornithological community and cutting-edge scientific research. The work of the Communications Independent Contractor 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

About the American Ornithological Society (AOS):

The AOS is an international scientific society dedicated to connecting ornithologists, science, and bird conservation by supporting science that advances the understanding and conservation of birds; promoting broad access to ornithological science; supporting ornithologists throughout their career paths; and fostering a welcoming, diverse, supportive, and dynamic ornithological community. The  AOS publishes two top-ranked international scientific journals, Ornithology and Ornithological Applications, and hosts an annual conference that attracts ornithologists from across the globe. Its robust grants program supports student and early-career professional research initiatives. The Society’s Check-list serves as the accepted authority for scientific nomenclature and English common names of birds in North and Middle America. The AOS is also a partner with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the online Birds of the World, a rich database of species accounts of the world’s birds. The AOS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving about 3,000 members globally. For more information, see www.americanornithology.org. 

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, and updating the website with new information, toolkits, relevant news articles, and sign-on letters to help AOS members navigate uncertainty due to fluctuating conditions in the scientific community. 
• Designing high-quality, creative, and engaging social media content from AOS website resources for distribution to AOS members and partners in the scientific community. 
• Working under the direction of the Communications and Marketing Manager to implement the AOS’s digital media marketing and communications strategy including generating daily/weekly/monthly or campaign-specific content; identifying opportunities with cross-relational groups/organizations; monitoring of communications platforms; and generating digital reports. 
• Assisting with content development for the AOS blog, Wing Beat, including coordination with authors; first review of content from authors and the AOS journals’ editors-in-chief; light editing and proofreading; formatting and posting of content following AOS editorial styles. 
• Periodic updating of content for AOS websites and social media. 
• Coordination of website and marketing assets including solicitation of media and content from AOS members, partners, and volunteers using Google Forms and other means. 
• Outreach to committee chairs and member volunteers to offer support for Society projects, programs, and initiatives. 
• Frequent check-ins with the Communications and Marketing Manager to report progress on assignments.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Key competencies, experience, and required skills:

• 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. 
• Graphic design: 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 — specifically Blue Sky Social; X; Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn, and YouTube. 
• Two+ years of experience with basic website and email content management, including the Wordpress platform (required) and basic HTML and WYSIWYG email content builders (desired). 
• Experience with Zoom video conferencing software including building and facilitating Zoom meetings and webinars. 
• Familiarity working in the Google Workspace Environment. 
• Excellent written and oral interpersonal communication skills; creative storytelling. 
• 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) as integral to the Society’s mission and future.  
• Personal qualities of continual curiosity and willingness to learn and grow. 
• A desire to work on a small-but-mighty highly professional team that supports the work of the Society’s leaders and volunteers. 
• Ability to exercise—or hone—excellent judgment in managing workflow and determining when to elevate priority issues to the attention of the Communications and Marketing Manager. 
• A passion for and commitment to the AOS’s mission, guidelines for professional conduct and ethics, and strategic goals. 

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 checkins via Zoom and Google Meet. 

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