News Assistant

Simons Foundation; Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Quanta Magazine, based at the Simons Foundation offices in New York City, seeks a News Assistant with strong web production skills to support editorial and art teams in digital publishing and day-to-day operations.

You will help with WordPress workflows, coordinate with colleagues, manage calendars, assist with fact-checking and copy-editing schedules, and help foster a positive newsroom culture at Quanta.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least one year of professional experience in web production and/or administrative support.
• Experience coordinating travel, managing complex calendars and scheduling meetings and events.
• Experience working in a newsroom or scientific setting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the web producer in preparing article packages for publication, including formatting, posting and updating articles, images and other digital content.
• Assist the web producer and art director with researching and editing photos, illustrations, videos and other visual content, as well as securing usage rights.
• Coordinate with developers to help maintain and improve website features.
• Help coordinate editorial tasks and freelance fact-checking and copy-editing schedules.
• Serve as the first point of contact for in-person staff, visitors, and guests.
• Respond to telephone calls, inquiries and requests, handling them directly or referring them to the appropriate person.
• Manage and maintain various calendars, including the editor in chief’s appointments.
• Schedule internal and external meetings and conference calls for staff.
• Coordinate staff travel and partner with the Events Team to plan the annual board meeting and other events.
• Support the annual board meeting by polling attendees, collecting materials, coordinating calendars and providing A/V support.
• Process incoming freelancer invoices and maintain approval matrix processes.
• Monitor the Quanta team’s shared email inbox.
• Handle routine correspondence and prepare expense reports via Concur for the editor in chief and designated senior staff.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

WordPress

HTML

Google Sheets

Excel

Word (Mac OS)

Job description

**POSITION SUMMARY**Quanta Magazine is seeking an organized and enthusiastic News Assistant with web production skills and a strong interest in science communication. You will support *Quanta’s* editorial and art teams with digital publishing and day-to-day administrative and operational tasks. In this role, you will assist with production workflows and *Quanta’s* WordPress Content Management system, coordinate with colleagues across *Quanta* and the Simons Foundation, and contribute to a welcoming, supportive, and productive newsroom atmosphere. This position will report to *Quanta’s* Managing Editor. This is a full-time position based in the Simons Foundation offices in New York City. For more information, visit www.simonsfoundation.org/careers. **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES*** Support the web producer in preparing article packages for publication, including formatting, posting and updating articles, images and other digital content on QuantaMagazine.org.* Assist the web producer and art director with researching and editing photos, illustrations, videos and other visual content, as well as securing usage rights.* Coordinate with developers to help maintain and improve website features.* Help coordinate editorial tasks and freelance fact-checking and copy-editing schedules.* Serve as the first point of contact for in-person staff, visitors, and guests.* Respond to telephone calls, inquiries and requests, handling them directly or referring them to the appropriate person.* Manage and maintain various calendars, including the editor in chief’s appointments.* Schedule internal and external meetings and conference calls for staff.* Coordinate staff travel and partner with the Events Team to plan the annual board meeting and other events.* Support the annual board meeting by polling attendees, collecting materials, coordinating calendars and providing A/V support.* Process incoming freelancer invoices and maintain approval matrix processes.* Monitor the *Quanta* team’s shared email inbox.* Handle routine correspondence and prepare expense reports via Concur for the editor in chief and designated senior staff.* Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required. **MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS****Education*** Bachelor’s degree preferred. **Experience*** At least one year of professional experience in web production and/or administrative support.* Experience coordinating travel, managing complex calendars and scheduling meetings and events.* Experience working in a newsroom or scientific setting is a plus. **Related Skills & Other Requirements*** Strong organizational skills, consistent accuracy and close attention to detail.* Ability to anticipate needs, set priorities and manage multiple assignments at once.* Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.* Sound judgment, resourcefulness and discretion.* Familiarity with WordPress, HTML, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word in Mac OS environment.* Comfort with learning new software and tools.* Ability to take ownership of responsibilities and work effectively and efficiently.* A proactive, team-oriented approach and a commitment to helping create a positive workplace culture.* Interest in learning new tools in online content creation and production.* Enthusiasm for scientific content is a plus. **REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS*** Include a résumé and cover letter describing your interest in the position. **COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS*** The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $63,000 - $67,000, depending on experience.