The primary responsibilities of this position are to develop and write feature stories related to the agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental sciences for CSA News magazine. The Science Editor/Writer will need to balance several projects at once while supporting multiple projects. The Editor/Writer will maintain a productive, positive relationship with Society leadership and members. This is a full-time, salaried position headquartered in Madison, WI, but remote workers will also be considered.
Position Duties
Primary
- Works with volunteer scientist-members to develop story ideas for CSA News magazine that are of high interest to all members of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA.
- Serves as the lead writer for science stories in CSA News magazine and may contribute to Crops & Soils magazine.
- With the magazine’s Managing Editor, assigns, edits, and schedules magazine stories. Helps develop and keep editorial calendar up to date.
- With the magazine’s Managing Editor, works on strategies for elevating the quality of the magazines and marketing them more effectively to new audiences and researchers in other disciplines.
- Promotes science stories via social media channels and coordinates with other departments on promotions where applicable.
- Manages the group of volunteer Science Communication Editors from our journals to make sure positions are filled and content is generated.
Secondary
- May be assigned other duties as needed such as copy editing, writing quizzes for our certification program, profiles of members, promoting upcoming books, etc.
Qualifications
- Working knowledge of natural or life sciences, with a degree in the natural sciences and/or science journalism.
- A minimum of five (5) years in writing or developing content, with life sciences experience preferred.
- Ability to write about science and research in a captivating and accurate manner and in a variety of styles and formats, including multi-source feature stories, news stories, press releases, online content, and others.
- Excellent time management, project management, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
Special Requirements
- Skilled in Microsoft Office suite
- Familiar with image editing applications
- Knowledge of APA (preferred) or other editorial style
- Knowledge of videoconferencing application
Travel
This job requires at least one week of travel per year to the Societies’ Annual Meetings and one week for Publications staff meetings; in some years, there may be travel to split meetings or specialized conferences to cover the science. Additional travel may be required to cover stories, public events, or attend professional development conferences. As much as 10% travel may be expected.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents and translate them into great stories for highly technical audiences. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
To Apply
Please email your cover letter, resume, and writing samples to news@sciencesocieties.org.
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