Digital Engagement Specialist (California focus)

About The Opportunity

Reporting to the Sr. Manager of Digital Engagement, this role is unique from other DE Specialist roles in that its focus is on the strategy, planning, and direct execution of digital content and storytelling that drives the Academy’s Thriving California Initiative. Primary responsibilities include California-biodiversity-focused content creation for Academy social media channels; management of the California Creators for Nature digital storytelling program (in close partnership with the Director of Digital Engagement); community building (both digital and hybrid); digital special-projects; and more. The person in this role is fully integrated into the Digital Engagement team and works closely with teammates to incorporate TCA content into editorial calendars, and to directly contribute to core DE work in support of the Academy, NightLife, and other global initiatives. This is a full-time, 1-year position with the possibility of extension.

Organizational Culture

Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values ! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives .

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United . Once the Academy has a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Cal Academy Workers United this position will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

About The Digital Engagement Department

The Academy’s award-winning Digital Engagement department leverages a wide range of digital channels to connect with a core digital community of more than 3 million people around the world. Through audience-focused content strategy and execution, DE works to amplify the Academy’s mission and global initiatives; strengthen STEM pipelines; deepen audiences’ connection to science and nature; drive revenue and visitation; and guide the Academy’s digital future.

Key Responsibilities

• Create highly engaging Thriving California -focused digital content for Academy channels (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, etc.), with a particular emphasis on vertical video
• Manage the California Creators for Nature influencer program (with support from the Director of Digital Engagement), liaising directly with cohort members to plan and support cohort content-creation, activities, and networking.
• Liaise with the Thriving California Directors and other members of the TCA team to stay informed on all relevant initiative developments and to communicate DE progress and updates as needed
• Plan virtual, hybrid, and in-person events to support the growth and vibrancy of the California Creators for Nature program and community
• Identify unique and compelling ways to showcase the diversity of people driving work related to Thriving California and Academy work
• Execute broader Academy content creation, livestream programming and support, and in-person activations in collaboration with DE colleagues
• Conduct digital-culture research to inform both DE and TCA efforts
• Track and maintain all metrics related to TCA digital work and share out as needed/requested
  
  

Qualifications

Experience and/or Education:

• 2+ years experience representing a program, publication, or brand on social media
• B.A. in Communications, English, Marketing, Creative Writing, Liberal Arts or related area of study AND experience in communications, writing, digital engagement, social media; OR comparable combination.
  
  

Skills And Abilities

• Proficiency in all primary social media platforms, e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube. Additional proficiency in expanded platforms (e.g. Twitch, Discord, etc.) is ideal
• Strong writer with excellent radar for appropriate voice and tone
• Well organized, able to drive work to deadline and execute on multiple projects/priorities simultaneously
• Experience with video-editing, livestreams, digital-asset creation, & related tools is strongly preferred
• Background in or passion for California biodiversity is strongly preferred
• Project-management experience is strongly preferred
  
  

Physical Environment

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to perform repetitive motions 60% of the time
• Ability to stay organized and focused in high-stimuli environments
  
  

This position is hybrid in California for the time being, however the candidate must be able to work physically at the Academy 3 days/week and in accordance with the latest health and safety guidelines.

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range for this position is $65K - $70K. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Please scroll down to "Other details" for this position's hiring range.

Schedule : Full-Time, 40 hours per week

Application Deadline

Review o f applications will occur on a rolling basis, and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process

Please upload your resume, cover letter, and complete the brief online application

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here .

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