POSITION SUMMARY: 

Title: Communications Specialist

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Part-time (5-10 hours per week) independent contractor; one-year contract with possibility of extension

Compensation: $1,000 per month

Review of applications begins August 7, with position open until filled.

INTRODUCTION:

We seek a capable, enthusiastic person to assist with communicating the mission and activities of the Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS): The WOS supports ornithology by publishing The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, hosting annual conferences, and providing research grants and career mentoring to our members. We welcome all those involved in avian conservation, research, science, and outreach.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Manage the WOS’s social media accounts (currently Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky), creating and scheduling content about the society’s activities as well as avian research more generally
• Manage the WOS’s WordPress.com-based website, ensuring information is up-to-date and accurate and writing regular posts for the WOS blog
• Create and manage a second standalone website for the WOS’s annual meeting each year
• Solicit, edit, and post guest blog posts by bird researchers with WOS connections (authors of papers in the WOS journal, recipients of WOS grants)
• Write email communications to WOS membership including, but not limited to, quarterly email newsletters and annual membership renewal appeals
• Monitor the WOS’s main contact email address daily, answering inquiries and/or forwarding them to the relevant WOS committee chairs
• Communicate with the WOS President and volunteer chairs of various WOS committees to obtain information for disseminating
• Expected to attend the annual in-person WOS conference, to connect with members and share about the conference on social media, with travel costs and registration covered by the WOS

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong written communication skills
• Ability to work independently while communicating proactively with a range of stakeholders
• Ability to understand scientific research and concepts and successfully translate them into accessible and engaging digital content
• Experience with social media scheduling tools (Later, Buffer), WordPress.com, and Canva
• Demonstrated experience managing websites, social media accounts, newsletters, or similar communication efforts for a nonprofit or academic institution
• Experience working with scientific societies and/or an interest in birds and ornithology is a plus but not mandatory!