Content Writer - Contextual Content - Australia Research Expert

Ancestry; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 214,000; Part time

Job summary

Ancestry is seeking a part-time Content Writer with a focus on Australian genealogy to join the Contextual Content team. You will collaborate with the Editor and Program Manager to produce content describing historical records, stories, and blog posts, ensuring accuracy and alignment with our style.

This role requires researching Australian history and sensitive topics with care. The position is contract-based and not eligible for Ancestry benefits; compensation is provided on a per-piece basis.

Qualifications

• Degree in history, English, journalism, or related field or equivalent professional writing experience.
• Experience writing about historical events.
• Experience writing about sensitive topics.
• Background in Australian studies or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Editor and Program Manager to revise and develop each writing assignment.
• Conduct in-depth historical research to support each assignment.
• Write content for record descriptions, historical stories, and blog posts.
• Ensure tone and style align with Ancestry's standards and audience.
• Ensure facts are supported by thorough research.
• Complete all writing assignments by submission deadlines.
• Provide status updates to the Editor and Program Manager.

Skills

Writing and editing

Research

Attention to detail

Self-starter

Communication skills

Historical writing

Sensitive topics writing

Guideline adherence

Education

History

English

Journalism

Equivalent writing experience

Job description

About Ancestry:

When you join Ancestry, you join a human-centered company where every person's story is important. Ancestry, the global leader in family history, connects everyone with their past so they can discover, preserve, and share their unique family stories. With our unparalleled collection of more than 65 billion records, over 3.5 million subscribers, and over 27 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Over the past 40 years, we've built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving, and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families.

We are committed to our location flexible work approach, allowing you to choose to work in the nearest office, from your home, or a hybrid of both (subject to location restrictions and roles that are required to be in the office- see the full list of eligible US locations HERE). We will continue to hire and promote beyond the boundaries of our office locations, to enable broadened possibilities for employee diversity.

Together, we work every day to foster a work environment that's inclusive as well as diverse, and where our people can be themselves. Every idea and perspective is valued so that our products and services reflect the global and diverse clients we serve.

Ancestry encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants. Passionate about dedicating your work to enriching people's lives? Join the curious.

Ancestry seeks a part-time contractor Content Writer who is passionate about family history and storytelling to join our Contextual Content team. The Contextual Content team works to bring pioneering technology, historical records, and curated contextual content together in order to empower others in researching and telling their story.

As a Content Writer you will work closely with the Editor and Program Manager in a collaborative process to complete writing assignments for the Contextual Content team. A critical element of success for this position is ensuring that the tone and style of the final product is aligned with Ancestry's standards. This position is also responsible for managing deadlines and ensuring that they successfully deliver assignments on time. MUST HAVE experience with Australian genealogy research and writing

Australia Subject Matter Expertise

The ideal candidate should have specialized expertise in Australian history and genealogy, including knowledge of Australian historical records, family history research, and record availability. They should also understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and records to create culturally sensitive, accurate, and informative collection descriptions that help users navigate Australian genealogy resources.

This position is a part-time contract-based and is not eligible for Ancestry benefits.

Compensation based on piece published rate ranges from $25 - $155 per piece.

What You Will Do:

• Closely collaborate with the Editor and Program Manager to revise and develop each writing assignment to completion.
• Conduct in-depth historical research to support each assignment.
• Write content for several different formats, including record descriptions, stories that incorporate personalization from historical records, and blog posts.
• Ensure each assignment follows: the style guidelines, is consistent in quality and tone, complies with department goals and values, and demonstrates audience awareness.
• Ensure presented facts and information are supported by thorough research.
• Consistently complete all writing assignments by submission deadlines.
• Provide status updates and reports to the Editor and the Program Manager as requested.

Who You Are:

• Prefer degree in history, English, journalism, or related field or equivalent professional writing experience.
• Experience writing about historical events.
• Experience writing about sensitive topics
• Background in African American studies, Latin American studies, Native American studies, Asian American studies, American studies, British studies, French studies, European studies, or Australian studies.
• Excellent writing/editing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and implement guidelines and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to a style guide and tone.
• Strong internet and research skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated self-starter.
• Background in family history.

This position is part time contract-based and is not eligible for Ancestry benefits.

Additional Information:

Ancestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizenship, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. In addition, Ancestry will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. All job offers are contingent on a background check screen that complies with applicable law. For candidates who live in San Francisco, CA, pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ancestry will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Ancestry is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Ancestry via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Ancestry. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Ancestry as a result of the referral or through other means.