SEO Specialist (Full-time / Contract)

001 Stride, Inc.; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Stride, Inc. is seeking a contract SEO Specialist to support organic search across our multi-location K12 schools network. This role is a full-time contractor position requiring about 40 hours per week and the ability to work independently.

You will focus on on-page optimization, content refreshes, and data-backed briefs, with local and technical SEO responsibilities, while collaborating with writers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of hands-on SEO experience, in-house or agency, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong keyword research and search intent mapping skills.
• Proficiency with SEO tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs, Google Search Console, and Google Analytics.
• Working knowledge of on-page technical elements including indexation, canonicals, internal linking, and structured data.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to create SEO-optimized content.
• Ability to clear a required background check.

Responsibilities

• Conducts keyword research and search intent analysis for assigned pages and topics.
• Performs on-page optimization including title tags, meta descriptions, headers, body content, and internal linking.
• Executes content refreshes on priority pages based on ranking and traffic data.
• Applies local SEO best practices to individual school location pages and geographic targeting.
• Flags technical issues such as indexation, canonicals, and crawl errors for the internal team to resolve.
• Builds data-backed content briefs with target keywords, intent, and structure.
• Reviews and optimizes content from writers before publication.
• Provides monthly performance updates on optimized and refreshed pages including rankings, traffic, and engagement.
• Executes tasks by utilizing various SEO technologies and platforms specific to the business.

Skills

Keyword research

SEO analysis

On-page optimization

Content strategy

Local SEO

Technical SEO

Content briefs

Communication

Team collaboration

Tools

SEMrush

Ahrefs

Google Search Console

Google Analytics

Job description

Job Description This is a full-time contract position. Ability to work independently, typically 40 hours per week, is required.

SUMMARY

As an SEO Specialist contractor, you will support organic search performance across multiple K12-powered schools' digital marketing efforts. This is an SEO-first role with content marketing responsibilities, focused on execution: on-page optimization, content refreshes, and data-backed briefs for priority pages. Your work will ensure that prospective families can easily find and evaluate school options through organic and AI-driven search.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
• Conducts keyword research and search intent analysis for assigned pages and topics.
• Performs on-page optimization including title tags, meta descriptions, headers, body content, and internal linking.
• Executes content refreshes on priority pages based on ranking and traffic data.
• Applies local SEO best practices to individual school location pages and geographic targeting.
• Flags technical issues such as indexation, canonicals, and crawl errors for the internal team to resolve.
• Builds data-backed content briefs with target keywords, intent, and structure.
• Reviews and optimizes content from writers before publication.
• Follows established SEO guidelines and templates across the subdomain network.
• Provides monthly performance updates on optimized and refreshed pages including rankings, traffic, and engagement.
• Ensures thorough, timely, and accurate communications.
• Executes tasks by utilizing various SEO technologies and platforms specific to the business.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

None required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) or more years of hands-on SEO experience, in-house or agency, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong keyword research and search intent mapping skills.
• Proficiency with SEO tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs, Google Search Console, and Google Analytics.
• Proven ranking and traffic improvements supported by specific examples.
• Working knowledge of on-page technical elements including indexation, canonicals, internal linking, and structured data.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to create SEO-optimized content.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and within a team-oriented environment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines consistently.
• High level of quality and accountability for work products.
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity, and trust.
• Ability to clear a required background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with education, EdTech, or multi-location organizations.
• Experience with enterprise SEO tools such as BrightEdge.
• Familiarity with AI search visibility.
• Experience with enterprise content management systems.
• Experience with schema markup and structured data implementation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a contractor encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is virtual and open to residents of the 50 states and D.C.

Compensation & Benefits

Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level. Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections. Offers will typically be in the bottom half of the range. We anticipate this position will pay per $16.82 - $25.62 per hour. This is a temporary/contractor role, and you will be an employee of Workspend. This salary is not guaranteed, as an individual’s compensation can vary based on several factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions. Randstad offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

Job Type EOR Contractor_CW (Fixed Term)

The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

All employment is "at-will" as governed by the law of the state where the employee works. It is further understood that the "at-will" nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you can request the appropriate accommodation by contacting [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities Stride, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration for employment based on merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Stride, Inc. complies with all legally required affirmative action obligations. Applicants will not be discriminated against because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

For more than 20 years, Stride, Inc. has transformed the teaching and learning experience for millions of people by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, curriculum, and programs. Stride serves learners of all ages in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. At Stride, learning is essential. It is the foundation of the human experience and we are proud of our commitment to powering learning, no matter what stage of life you are in. For more than 20 years, we’ve worked to challenge the idea of one-size-fits-all education and provide personalized, online, lifelong learning at every step of the journey. Above all else, we believe in serving the communities we live in and creating space for all voices therein.