Job Opening for Social Media Coordinator in Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (Tucson, AZ)

The Communications, Education and Engagement (CEE) team is looking for a full-time social media coordinator to manage all social media channels under NOIRLab. This currently comprises 19 channels. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience managing multiple channels for an organization and have experience implementing a social media plan. You will contribute to building substantive, long-term relationships with key audiences through deliberate and strategic engagement. This will include developing NOIRLab’s personality and voice on social media, understanding our audiences, and showcasing NOIRLab’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Working to reach and grow audiences in Chile through our Spanish-language channels is an important part of this role. This role leads the ongoing process of evaluating the effectiveness of NOIRLab’s social media strategy and implementation, and suggests improvements and expansions based on the latest best practices. This position will regularly work with many members of the CEE team, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory EPO group (which will unite with CEE in 2024), and the wider NOIRLab staff.

This position will work under the Head of Communications. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team distributed across the three NOIRLab sites in Arizona, Hawaii and Chile. CEE consists of about 30 professional staff covering all aspects of communications, formal and informal educational programming with a strong emphasis on local outreach to host communities and NOIRLab’s national and international partners. Our preference is for this position to be based in Tucson, AZ. However, there is the possibility of remote working arrangements after at least one year spent on site in Tucson. The expectation of when relocation occurs can be flexible given the current pandemic. This position is full-time.

NOIRLab operates the international Gemini Observatory, Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory), the US-ELT Program and the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC) in the United States and in Chile. NOIRLab is the US national center for ground-based observational nighttime astronomy, and has sites of operations in Hawai‘i, Arizona, and Chile. NOIRLab launched in October 2019, with about 450 full-time staff and an approximately $80M USD annual budget.

Responsibilities include:

Responsible for implementing social media plan and for all NOIRLab’s social media channels.
Leads ongoing process of improving NOIRLab’s social media strategy and implementation.
Create and post engaging, high-quality content that is both accurate and typo-free for English and Spanish channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Develops and maintains the social media editorial calendar for NOIRLab.
Manages channels including:
Idea generation – works with colleagues within NOIRLab to source content
Content production to include working with graphics team to create images and videos
Creating and implementing campaigns in alignment with communications goals
Daily interactions with channels and followers including liking, commenting, sharing, answering questions, following others, monitoring trends to continuously increase engagement and foster a sense of community among followers
Manages YouTube channels for NOIRLab, NOIRLab Science and Gemini Observatory.
Ensures consistency and branding across all channels.
Records key metrics monthly, monitors engagement and suggests content improvements based on metrics review.
Stays up to date with current and contemporary-best practices in social media.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

Two years of proven work experience in social media with knowledge in multiple social media platform; and abilities to support and deliver creative content (text, image, and video).
Ability to grasp future trends in digital technologies and act proactively.
Demonstrated ability to manage a calendar for an organization with multiple channels.
Demonstrated ability to implement an organization’s social media plan.
Proficiency with a social media management tool such as Hootsuite.
Fluency in English, native speaker or certified at Professional Working Proficiency
Knowledge of astronomy and a demonstrated passion for science communication.
Excellent written and oral communications skills
The ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, countries, and cultures
Flexibility and ability to act effectively under pressure when there are changing deadlines and priorities.
Ability to take the initiative to solve problems quickly.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

Fluency in Spanish at Professional Working Proficiency
Knowledge of US and Chilean culture to better produce content that resonates with our key audiences

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.

This work is mostly carried out in an office environment. Long periods of sitting may be required.

Given the international nature of AURA’s work, you may need to travel to the various observatory sites (Arizona, Chile, and Hawai’i) and other locations for business purposes.

AURA offers a mix-model workspace (office & virtual) and stimulating environments for all.
We also offer an excellent benefits package and competitive salary. Highlights:

Health Benefits – Start first on the month following hire
Retirement Options:
401(a) Money Purchase Pension Plan / 10% Employer Contribution
403(b) / Your own retirement contribution
Paid Time Off:
Vacation / Accrual of up to 24 days per/yr.
Paid Sick Leave / 8 hour per/mo.
Holiday Time / 10 days per/yr.

And much more so please explore:

Our benefits at: https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/
All career opportunities through our website at: https://www.aura-astronomy.org/careers/

AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, is committed to diversity and inclusion. AURA develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity

TO APPLY: Share your experience by uploading a resume and completing an online application. Please list 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process) and attach a cover letter and CV or resume (PDF files preferred) to your application. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastnameDocname. Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org.

COVID-19 Policy Update: AURA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy that requires all employees to be vaccinated, unless qualified for an exemption based on medical or religious reasons. All new employees will be required to comply with this policy and will be required to present proof of full vaccination or submit a completed request (including supporting documents, if applicable) for an exemption at least five (5) business days prior to their start of employment. Individuals who fail to meet this deadline may have their employment start date delayed.

This is a requirement for all employees working onsite or from home (telework or hybrid remote work schedule). Currently the vaccination requirement does not apply to any future AURA employees working in Chile, regardless of their nationality or type of contract.

AURA currently offers a mix-model workspace (office & virtual) and stimulating environments for all, with most staff working virtually from home during the COVID-19 crisis through March 2022. The safety of our staff and community is our top priority. We will continue to interview and screen candidates in this new virtual landscape and offers of employment can be extended and new hires will onboard virtually. Employees are required to be residents in their base job location within a limited time from their start date.

Preference will be given to qualified internal candidates and to qualified Native Americans living on or near the Tohono O’odham reservation in Arizona.

Veterans, disabled individuals, or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org.
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.

IND1
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)