Freelance Article Writer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 53 state/territorial affiliates and seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and nature lovers of all ages and stripes.  The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitat and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, addressing the causes and consequences of climate change, and connecting children with nature.

To support our mission, we are seeking an Associate Editor responsible for conceiving, researching, writing, editing, and shaping feature articles and columns for each monthly issue of Ranger Rick magazine and assisting with the editing of other Ranger Rick titles, including Zoobooks and Dinosaurs. The Associate Editor writes, edits, and creates art direction for Ranger Rick Adventures comics, and edits all Ranger Rick copy for accuracy, grammar, and style. The role also researches and writes one aquatic or prehistoric feature article per issue, shepherding it through the editing process with expert review, a companion online quiz, video, social media post, and website promotion. Additional one-off editing tasks round out the role.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Research and write original features and columns, including scripts for “Ranger Rick Adventures” comic stories, that are appropriate for the Ranger Rick age range (7-12) and meet the magazine’s high standards of originality, style, readability, and accuracy. Consult experts while developing and completing each article. With stories involving art, provide design director with ideas and research for all art and maps. Provide photo editor with list of photo needs for stories involving photos, including possible sources for photos. Edit article to final product.
• Build and maintain file of article ideas in various editorial categories. Keep current on news and scientific discoveries relating to each category, coming up with original angles for covering these categories and writing memos on how these stories would work. Screen submitted queries and manuscripts, presenting queries, manuscripts and ideas to staff.
• Find and cultivate freelance writers, assign articles to them, and work closely with authors on developing article ideas. Edit or rewrite freelance manuscripts for style, accuracy, and readability.
• Review all copy written or edited by other staffers and make suggestions for improvement. Edit all laid-out stories on PDFs.
• Assist as needed in the editing and updating of Zoobooks and Ranger Rick Dinosaurs magazines.
• Work closely with the photo editor and designers in developing story approaches and layouts.
• Contribute to all planning, production, idea, and title meetings, and regularly contribute any ideas that will lead to overall improvement of the magazine.
• Write digital quizzes to complement published feature stories.
• Research ideas for videos that link out from feature stories; review and edit video scripts.
• Attend 8-10 meetings on average per month.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience planning, writing, and editing for a national publication, including writing for children preferred
• 2–3 years of experience writing about science, nature, or the environment strongly preferred; educational background in wildlife biology or similar may be substituted.
• 2–3 years of experience writing for digital or social media audiences preferred
• Ability to analyze sophisticated scientific research and translate it into accurate, accessible language at or below a fifth-grade level
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills with a talent for copy that's both entertaining and educational
• Comfort collaborating with video, photo, audio, streaming, and digital editors, and experience adapting editorial content across formats and online platforms
• Familiarity with reviewing editorial feedback survey data, online analytics, and audience trends to clearly inform and articulate the value and impact of our storytelling

NWF VALUES

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development, and partner engagement;
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Minimal overnight travel, approximately 2-3 nights per year on average.

LOCATION AND WORK MODE

This position will have full-time remote capabilities with the expectation of occasional visits to our headquarters in Reston, Virginia. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office, in a hybrid manner, or fully remote, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note: This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $67,000 - $73,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year-end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

APPLICATION

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. NWF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.