Writer and Editor

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full time

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week

LOCALITY:

• Remote in the U.S.
• New York preferred

DEPARTMENT: Communications

SUPERVISING MANAGER:

• Senior Communications Manager

TEAM:

• Communications Team

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About Rainforest Foundation US

For over 30 years, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) has worked to address climate change and safeguard biodiversity by promoting the rights of indigenous peoples and supporting their efforts to protect and defend their rainforests. Science shows that forests managed by indigenous peoples are healthier, suffer less deforestation, capture more carbon, and contain more biodiversity than forests managed by private or public entities--including nationally protected areas. What’s more, scientists tell us that protecting forests is as important as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse.

RFUS works in partnership with indigenous communities and their representative organizations to protect tropical rainforests by supporting their efforts to secure rights to their lands, strengthen monitoring and land security, influence laws and policies that protect their resources, and build strong and sustainable community leadership. By investing directly in indigenous communities, RFUS connects the people rooted in the land with the tools, training, and resources to be effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru and hosts a number of regional partnerships in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and across the tropical belt.

About the Position

We are seeking a prolific and passionate Writer & Editor who can contextualize our work and why it’s important across a broad range of media—from long-form blog posts and articles,  to web, social media, newsletters, and video scripts—allowing our work to reach a wider audience, and allowing our stories to touch more hearts and minds. The ideal candidate will be excited to apply their experience and skills to RFUS’ s mission. The position will report to the Senior Communications Manager, sit within the Communications Team, and collaborate with Fundraising and Programs Teams. The new hire has the option of working remotely or out of the Brooklyn office.

Responsibilities

• Envision, draft, and write engaging content, including blog posts and long-form articles (approximately 800-1000 words) two to three times per month, website landing pages, as well as occasional case studies and fundraising assets, video scripts, quarterly newsletters, infographics, and other projects as needed
• Distill complex concepts and language into content that is easily understood by general audiences
• Stay up-to-date on and research current events related to forest protection, indigenous rights, and the climate crisis to support content development
• Collaborate with Communications Associate to evaluate and optimize articles and webpages for SEO and make changes as needed
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and external contractors to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging, branding, and style, adhering to (and building on) existing style guides for organizational content
• Provide editing support cross departmentally
• Work in collaboration with Fundraising and Communications Team to ensure editorial calendars are up-to-date and strategically aligned
• Collaborate with other departments to generate innovative content ideas
• Identify gaps in content and recommend new topics
• Manage and complete work on time for multiple writing projects

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, English, international affairs, human rights, environmental science, sustainable development, marketing, or advertising (or other relevant field)
• At least 3-5 years of experience in journalism, nonprofit communications, or other relevant field
• Detail-oriented with a proven ability to write clearly, concisely, quickly, and accurately, incorporating key messaging, using appropriate language and tone for the target audience, and adopting the “voice” of the organization
• Demonstrated experience writing compelling content for a variety of platforms, including web, as an awareness-building tool to engage target audiences and improve SEO
• Must possess a clear understanding of grammar rules and how to construct clear sentences, and familiarity with AP style
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete work independently and as part of a team
• The ability to give constructive and supportive feedback on writing projects
• Demonstrated commitment to issues of social justice, environment, climate, and/or human rights (experience working with indigenous communities and/or indigenous community organizations an advantage)
• Proactive and self-organizing
• Ability to travel to remote locations throughout Latin America as needed
• Any other duties as assigned by Senior Communications Manager

Language requirements

• Full professional proficiency in English and either Spanish or Portuguese required.
• Fluency in all three languages is a strong advantage.

Desired skills

• Experience using WordPress and/or other platforms such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, etc.
• Science or political writing, with experience in catering narratives to various target audiences
• Passion for protecting the environment and the rights of indigenous peoples

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: Compensation for this position is commensurate with experience and ranges between $60,000 - $70,000 USD annually.
• Benefits: Full-time employees (40+ hours a week) are entitled to full health, vision, and dental insurance as well as 20 days per year of vacation leave, closed offices from Christmas to New Year’s Day (inclusive) plus the 10 additional federal holidays. Beyond this, employees are entitled to 10 days per year of sick leave, 2 days per year of personal days, 5 days for bereavement leave per event, up to 12 weeks of parental leave, and accommodations for additional time off under extraordinary circumstances. For this role, nights or weekends will not be expected except possibly during work-related travel, in which case compensatory time will be accrued.

Workplace Culture & Conditions

Rainforest Foundation US prides itself on providing a flexible, equitable, family-friendly, and inclusive work environment that values work-life balance. Our offices are pet friendly and located in a historic downtown Brooklyn neighborhood that is easily accessible by public transit and boasts many restaurants and services.

Commitment to Equality & Equity

​​Rainforest Foundation US does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. Black, indigenous, and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.

Application instructions

• RFUS aims to fill the position immediately.
• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early and advised to carefully study the job description to ensure they meet the requirements and skills we are looking for.
• Applications will not be considered without the submission of a resume and cover letter.
• Please note that the position will be listed as open until filled. Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be contacted.
• The candidate must possess the legal requirements to work in the United States; Rainforest Foundation US will not sponsor visas for international candidates.