Multimedia Editor, Science News Media Group

Founded in 1921, the Society for Science (Society), is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research.

Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News Explores, the Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, is focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement : to inform, education, and inspire.

Position Overview

Science News Magazine seeks a Multimedia Editor who is both a hands-on video producer and a capable leader to guide our video and multimedia journalism and support data visualization efforts across platforms.

The Multimedia Editor will work closely with other members of our team to develop original video and multimedia coverage.

We're looking for someone who is science-curious and an expert on various digital storytelling forms, including short- and long-form video, podcasts and data interactives.

The Multimedia Editor will lead the newsroom's video and interactive pitch process, ensuring that our voice is consistent with our brand, which is built on the highest standards of credibility and more than a century of excellence in nonprofit journalism.

We are looking for a creative, hardworking individual with a unique perspective. Our mission is to provide accurate coverage of science that cultivates wonder and gives people information and context to evaluate the news and the world around them.

We were founded to make science engaging for the general public and have excelled at that mission for more than 100 years.

Our goal now is to broaden the reach of our journalism by making it accessible to people of diverse backgrounds, educations, locations and ages.

You'll be joining a group of creative, inquisitive storytellers who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and who are passionate about our work as independent nonprofit journalists.

This is an exempt position.

Job Responsibilities

• Plan, produce and edit video, audio and interactive digital assets.
• Build our audience on video platforms, including YouTube and TikTok.
• Write or edit video scripts that extend our print coverage.
• Use metrics to evaluate and iterate our multimedia strategy.
• Collaborate on experiments to grow our audience on video platforms.
• Provide oversight and consultation on our web publishing strategy to maximize timeliness and impact, and ensure a steady flow of content on our video platforms and on sciencenews.

org and snexplores.org.

• Coordinate with colleagues across Science News Media Group on multimedia coverage.
• Commission and manage freelance multimedia content and work with animators or artists for long-form video.
• Develop, oversee and build multimedia content to promote reader engagement on Science News and Science News Explores.
• Oversee digital adaptations of magazine features.

Qualifications - Job Specific

• Organized and knows how to prioritize tasks
• Trustworthiness in meeting hard deadlines.
• Experience and expertise in producing professional quality video
• Loves experimenting but willing to kill projects that aren't working
• Experience managing freelance contracts with video producers
• Ability to coach scientists and journalists on how to connect with a video audience
• Experience fact-checking scientific data and video scripts
• Familiarity with common mistakes in data visualizations that can make a graph confusing or misleading
• Strong work ethic and time management skills
• Experience contributing to video platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube
• A passion for explaining science
• BA degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in video and multimedia production in a newsroom
• Experience remixing video for TikTok and other vertical video platforms
• Excellent copy writing / editing skills, with an emphasis on broadcast copy
• Experience with video and multimedia platforms such as Premiere Pro, CapCut and Flourish

Required qualifications for all Society positions

• Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science
• Exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to develop rapport with colleagues and external client

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from a College or University or four years of related experience
• A degree in science and / or journalism preferred

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations.

Due to the pandemic, the Society is operating on a hybrid work model.

This position is based in the metropolitan area of DC, MD, or VA.

For almost a century, Science News journalists have covered advances in science, medicine and technology for the general public, including the 1925 Scopes "monkey" trial, the advent of the atomic age in 1945, the space race, and the revolution of genetic engineering from the discovery of DNA to today's gene-editing technology.

We were founded as an independent nonprofit in 1921 by newspaper magnate E.W. Scripps and zoologist W.E. Ritter, who wanted to improve the quality and accuracy of science journalism.

We remain true to that mission today.

We believe in the power of knowledge and the free flow of information to build informed, enlightened and engaged communities.

Our mission is to provide independent, unbiased coverage of science and give people the tools to evaluate the news and the world around them.

We connect with audiences through a number of publications. The daily website at drew more than 17 million unique visitors in 2023, and we have a strong following on social media.

Our biweekly print magazine publishes concise, fiercely accurate, timely articles that appeal to both general readers and scientists, with a circulation of 120,000.

The magazine and website also reach students and teachers at more than 5,000 high schools through the Science News in High Schools program.

Our sister site, Science News Explores, explains the latest science for ages 9 and up, with more than 5 million unique visitors in 2023.

We are an editorially independent nonprofit news organization.

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal office hours of the Society.

Light travel for some of the organization's events is necessary in this position.

Salary

$76,000 to $90,000; salary is commensurate with experience.

Additional Information

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees coming into the office and attending Society events.

Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons.

How to Apply

Submit a professional resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Please apply through Applicant Pro.

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Society for Science is committed to equal employment opportunity.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to : veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and / or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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