Job Listings

Astronomy Writer Kirtlandia Internship

Cleveland Museum of Natural History / Posted February 15, 2023

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Considered one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America, the Museum offers an incredible visitor experience, attracting roughly 275,000 visitors a year.

Building on its strong foundation of excellence in education and research, the Museum is poised to transform itself. CMNH will invite and engage a broader audience in the exploration of science and the natural world by revolutionizing the way it presents natural history. The Museum has currently launched a capital campaign to support a dramatic renovation and expansion of its facilities and exhibits. This ambitious plan will position the Museum to play a leading role in regional and national efforts to improve science education and increase scientific literacy.

The CMNH is seeking a dynamic, creative and energetic individual who is passionate about the Museum and its mission; exhibits strong organizational and administrative skills; is looking for new challenges; and enjoys working in an enthusiastic and fast paced environment.

Department: Astronomy

Supervisor(s): Nick Anderson

Summary:

The Astronomy Writer is responsible for the generation of engaging content consistent with the brand platform and strategy of the overall Museum marketing and communications plan in support of all Museum astronomy programming, including: public planetarium shows, school field trips, and special events.

The Astronomy Writer will serve as the primary author of all original written content generated by the Museum’s Astronomy Department and should feel equally comfortable writing and editing persuasive, creative marketing copy, covering more technical subjects like scientific research in long-format, and creating written copy for Museum exhibits and programs, and as such is a combination of storyteller, educator, journalist and content strategist. This position collaborates with a wide variety of internal and external museum stakeholders to create and deliver content marketing across a growing number of channels.

Required to Apply:

• You must apply through ADP and...

Write a brief statement that:

• - Explains your choice of preferred research areas 
• - Mentions your interests, previous work experience and other pertinent information that might support your application 
• - Indicates how you expect to benefit from your experience as a Research Intern

Two letters of recommendation submitted to nanderson@cmnh.org

Application Deadline – March 15, 2023

General Information:

• - Duration: Eight weeks for a total of 320 hours, exact dates to be arranged with direct supervisor, Final presentation scheduled Saturday, Aug 12, 2023.
• - Compensation: $15 per hour, plus up to $200 for expenses for materials required by the project, minus payroll deductions
• - Who May Apply: Students who are currently attending an accredited college or university as an undergraduate (college sophomores, juniors, and seniors), or who have graduated from college within the current calendar year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.):

• - Observe and participate in the delivery of astronomy programming within the Nathan & Fannye Shafran Planetarium, Mueller Observatory, and other Museum venues.
• - Conduct independent research on a wide array of astronomical topics and upcoming events.
• - Develop, manage and execute on a content strategy across a broad range of traditional and non-traditional channels, platforms and formats including the CMNH website, mobile app, social media, advertising, e-mail, blogs, podcasts, and other digital engagement and experience channels.
• - Create and edit high-quality articles, stories, messages, marketing materials and other copy based on the Museum’s strategic plan to promote its products, services, experiences and events in support of all operational and financial goals.
• - Interact with subject-matter experts, creative designers, multi-media producers and partners in the digital and information technology departments to ensure consistency of message and voice, and conformity to Museum brand guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• - Coursework in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or related field preferred.
• - Coursework in Journalism, Science Writing, or related field preferred.
• - Wide breadth of astronomy knowledge, with a focus on cosmology (the study of the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the Universe) and a passion for science communication.
• - Ability to convey complex and/or abstract ideas in ways that are easy to understand.
• - Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills and the ability to vary writing styles to meet needs.
• - Knowledge of digital marketing strategies, concepts, and practices.
• - Ability to collaborate within an interdisciplinary professional organization and track multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize, work well under pressure with a high degree of accuracy, and meet stringent and overlapping deadlines.
• - Proficient knowledge of Microsoft office products to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• - Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• - Ability to exercise initiative and good judgment in anticipating problems before they arise.

Physical Demands:

• - Position may require sitting, walking, standing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History

is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ADA EMPLOYER, SUBSTANCE-FREE and FULLY VACCINATED WORKPLACE.