Social Media Specialist

The Morton Arboretum is seeking a strategic, innovative Social Media Specialist to join our award-winning Marketing and Guest Experience team. The successful candidate will have 5+ years of professional social media experience, with a proven record of content development and engagement results. This position reports to the Director of Public Relations. You will have an important role working with departments across the Arboretum to promote Arboretum visits, educational programs, and events; share tree and plant care information; and create awareness for the Arboretum's global scientific expertise, working with research scientists. The ideal candidate is a creative self-starter who enjoys a fast-paced environment.

Position Summary: Advance The Morton Arboretum’s vision to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together. Heighten brand reputation, create mission awareness, and drive engagement and support from a diversity of audiences through social media strategies. 

Essential Functions:

Manage the Arboretum’s social media platforms and strategies, including developing strategic social media plans, producing the social media editorial calendar, developing and managing influencer relationships, and creating relevant and engaging content. 

Advance multimedia storytelling through the use of video, photos, graphics, and emerging tools. 

Monitor social media (including posts tagging the Arboretum) and online reviews (e.g, Google, Yelp) daily and provide timely, accurate responses to comments and questions, with an emphasis on providing top-notch customer service. 

Proactively identify, develop, and share stories across social platforms that showcase the Arboretum’s exhibitions, special events, educational and scientific expertise, and programs.

Advance audience development objectives through channels and content tailored to reaching new audiences while reflecting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Generate awareness of the Arboretum’s mission and educational messages by securing appropriate influencer relationships, social media collaborations, and other partnership opportunities.

Shoot and edit photos and video for use on social media and digital advertising campaigns, and source images and videos from others. Collaborate with the Arboretum’s photographer and video production specialist on the development of visual assets. Engage the broader marketing, design, and public relations teams in social media ideation and innovation. Collaborate with the marketing team on paid strategies.

Analyze and report social media data, and discuss recommended actions with the director of public relations. Leverage data to heighten social media engagement and following.

Assist with media relations as needed.

Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning, and make the Arboretum exceptional.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Associate’s degree in public relations, marketing, digital communications, or related field required, bachelor’s degree preferred. 5+ years of related professional social media experience required, with proven record of content development and engagement results, and an understanding of best practices across the various social platforms. Bilingual English-Spanish fluency a plus. Excellent writing skills required. In-depth knowledge of social media platforms used for nonprofit or business purposes required. Working knowledge of Hootsuite or similar social media management tools preferred. Good photographic skills and video editing experience preferred, and the ability to create content using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator a plus. 

Success Factors: Creative, clear communicator with knowledge of AP Style and the ability to adapt to and sustain a brand voice. Curious, and driven to understand the Arboretum’s scientific work. Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and quickly with strong attention to detail. Creative, innovative, and a knack for thinking “out of the box.” Ability to relate effectively with people of various backgrounds and ages. A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey the Arboretum’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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 these essential functions.

Physical Demands: Work requires some physical activity: walking over all types of terrain, in all weather conditions.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors, in an office setting, although travel within the grounds and buildings of the Arboretum is occasionally required.

Equipment: General office equipment, digital camera, photo editing software, golf cart.

Schedule:  Work requires periodic extended and nonroutine work hours, including early mornings, evenings, some holidays, and weekends. requires rotating weekend, holiday, and occasional evening or off-hours coverage.

The expected hiring range for this nonexempt position is annualized at $55,500-$63,630 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package

For consideration, please include a cover letter and resume with your application.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.