Science Writer-Position Description
The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is a non-profit organization based in the United States with a mission to advance the science, conservation, and understanding of birds of prey around the world. RRF is a member-based organization with about 1,000 members from 45 countries including both professional and amateur raptor biologists, students, educators, rehabilitators, and government regulators.
The RRF Science Writer supports the mission of the society in disseminating information about raptors from the Journal of Raptor Research and other outlets within the society. The Science Writer works with the Communications Committee Chair and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Raptor Research (Editor) to plan communications to news media outlets, the broader science community, the general public, and RRF members.
Duties
The Science Writer will work with RRF leadership to plan and execute scientific communications including press releases, academic blog articles, social media posts, and newsletter articles.
Highlighted JRR Press Releases
The Editor-in-chief will identify up to 3 articles in each quarterly issue of JRR to promote with a press release. The Science Writer works with the authors and Editor to draft the press release and prepare supporting media (photos, videos, etc.). The Science Writer will submit the press release to Eureka Alerts or similar platforms to notify science journalists. The writer will work with other authors not highlighted by the Editor, to edit author written press releases, format to RRF’s writing style/voice, and promote on RRF’s social media accounts.
Social Media
The Science Writer will prepare platform-appropriate information based on press releases for RRF’s Twitter and Facebook accounts to promote up to 10 JRR articles for each issue. The Science Writer will submit content for each article to the RRF social media managers for posting.
Academic Blog
The Science Writer will write/edit blog articles for the RRF website raptorresearchfoundation.org that expand on JRR articles highlighting both the research project, background on the authors, and stories from the field. In addition, blog articles may highlight non-JRR topics about raptors including graduate students, field work, lab work, conservation stories, and other topics as deemed appropriate by the Communications Committee Chair.
Monthly Newsletter
The Science Writer will create shortened versions of press releases and academic blogs to be included in the monthly RRF newsletter, including links to stories and articles.
Other Duties
The Science Writer will work with the Communications Committee to assess and increase the impact of communications with metrics on user views, media interest, and JRR article views. The Communications Committee Chair may assign other communication duties as the budget allows.
Qualifications
Passion for science and writing
Knowledge of science-based journalism, media, and communication outlets
Interests in raptors and conservation at the global scale preferred
Experience writing press releases in English, and other languages if proficient
Experience writing science articles targeted to the general public
Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal skills including editorial and editing skills for professional publication outlets
Ability to respond to phone and email communications in a timely manner
Experience managing social media accounts and analyzing platform data
Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience in science communication
Monthly time commitment of 10-15 hours
Compensation
The Science Writer will be hired as a contractor and paid on an hourly basis at up to $40 USD/hour.
Application
Please send a cover letter, resume, and recent writing sample to Marco Restani, restani@stcloudstate.edu by 15 December 2022.