The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) seeks a social media specialist who can continue to grow and engage our audiences by creating original, shareable science content that resonates with people and raises awareness of our fragile planet’s past, present, and future.

If you still have your childhood curiosity about the natural and cultural world, consider joining our team of science communicators and storytellers. You’ll spend your workday exploring everything from asteroids to dinosaurs and help our audiences connect with science and the world around them.

We’re looking for applicants who are strong researchers and writers, and experienced social video producers. They will be creative; capable of turning complex subjects into “edutainment”; open to review; and committed to accuracy and the museum’s brand.

This position is located in the Office of Advancement and Communications at NMNH. We draw upon the museum’s core assets—our researchers (biologists, geologists, and anthropologists), scientific collections, free exhibitions, and educational resources and programs—to develop content that resonates with audiences.

Everything we do is in support of the museum’s larger mission to understand the natural world and our place in it. Under supervision from the Office of Communications senior staff, the incumbent will be the museum’s lead social media practitioner and will be responsible for advancing the museum’s evolving social media strategy; conceiving and producing engaging content daily—both small and large campaigns (organic and paid); tracking and reporting on metrics and emerging trends; and building relationships and collaborations with colleagues across NMNH and the Smithsonian.

A Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field and/or journalism is highly desired. The successful applicant will have 2-3 years of experience planning and creating original digital/social content, preferably in the edutainment space or related to science. Qualified applicants will have strong interpersonal skills, superior editorial judgement, an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines, strong organization skills, a demonstrated ability to work independently and receive feedback. Experience in a large, complex non-profit organization desired.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Daily Editorial Planning & Production: Research, writes, and edits to make complex subjects relevant, accurate, and engaging to the museum’s social media followers daily across priority channels. Advances digital storytelling and marketing by creating visually striking, shareable multimedia (e.g., photos, videos, infographics). Updates and maintains an editorial calendar, generating new ideas for posts, content series, campaigns, etc.
• Marketing & Paid Social: As budgets permit, creates ads and campaigns using social and other digital channels that reach key audiences.
• Analytics & Insights: Tracks daily metrics for key social media platforms and reports on them monthly, quarterly, and annually.
• Collaboration: Builds an expanding network of relationships with experts and colleagues across the museum. Proactively identifies shareable science ideas and behind-the-scenes moments.
• Community Engagement & Reputation Management: Monitors and responds to comments and direct messages with strong editorial judgement.
• Subject Matter Expert: Follows critical developments in social media. Actively engages with social media experts within the Smithsonian and beyond.

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund [This is not a Federal Position]

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, NTE 2yrs. (May be further extended based on funding availability)