April 1, 2021
2 MIN READ
Zaps
Bird Observer is Looking for a Digital Editor
Bird Observer, Inc. is a New England-based nonprofit organization that publishes a bimonthly journal and a corresponding website to support and promote the observation, understanding, and conservation of the wild birds of New England.
Overview:
The digital editor creates and collects from other sources web content specifically for Bird Observer’s online audience with the goal of producing engaging material for Bird Observer subscribers. This content may be based on current or past issues of Bird Observer and will be unique to the website—interviews, videos, blog, etc.—and will include postings to social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Skills:
- Experienced with writing, researching and producing web content.
- A moderate level of familiarity with North American birds including species geography, biology, and natural history.
- Must be able to set and meet deadlines, sometimes at short notice.
The digital editor will:
- Plan, research, and generate copy for posting.
- Write, research, find, and produce web content.
- Assure accuracy in:
- the proper spelling of place names.
- quotes from literature with authors’ names and spelling.
- the spelling of Latin binomials and English common names.
- following Bird Observer style sheet guidelines.
- Submit a proposed item(s) prior to publication to the president for approval of content and to the clerk for review for possible legal issues. The president will forward material to a proofreader for review.
- Report to the president and prepare reports to be shared with the Board.
- This is an unpaid position.
To inquire about this position, contact Eric Swanzey at eric@swanzey.com.
Bird Observer is Looking for a Where to Go Birding Editor
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and recruit authors for bimonthly Where to Go Birding (WTG) articles about places to bird throughout New England.
- Work with authors and ensure that they meet deadlines.
- Review draft articles for accuracy and content before submitting them to the editor.
- Assist the mapmaker with creation and review of maps.
- Check all directions for accuracy.
This is a position that requires communication and organization skills, as well as great attention to detail. The WTG editor must be able to work independently to recruit authors, maintain schedules, and keep contact with authors prior to deadlines, as well as work collaboratively with the author, editor, and mapmaker from draft article to publication. Knowing birders throughout the New England area is helpful, but not a prerequisite.
To inquire about this position, contact Marsha Salett at msalett@gmail.com.