Writer

Position Summary

The Rockefeller Archive Center (RAC) seeks a strong researcher and storyteller who can produce compelling, relevant, accurate, and timely written content. The Writer is a key member of the Research & Engagement team, producing work drawing from our archival collections to engage with diverse stakeholder communities.

The RAC is the largest single assemblage of historical records of philanthropy in the world with the records of more than 40 foundations, including the Rockefeller, Ford, Henry Luce, William and Flora Hewlett, and John S. and James L. Knight foundations. It also holds the records of nonprofit organizations with strong connections to philanthropy, such as the Social Science Research Council, the National Committee for US-China Relations, and the Institute for International Education.

The RAC attracts a global user base numbering in the thousands annually and provides broad and equitable public access to RAC collections. Researchers use our collections to explore topics ranging from the history of medicine and science to public health, agriculture, the arts, social sciences, international relations, and urban affairs, to name a few. Our Research & Engagement Program is a staff of historians, educators, designers, and archivists who work in a public history framework to engage constituencies in archival education, primary source research, and historical understanding. Our work is primarily public-facing, but we also work regularly with RAC’s record-depositing organizations, such as the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations.

The Writer will report to the Associate Director for Research & Engagement and will be expected to create content for online publications, conduct research and analysis to support the needs of senior staff and occasionally our depositing organizations, and will be expected to work with RAC colleagues as well as external contributors to produce a variety of published products. We seek a generalist who can quickly research, summarize, and contextualize the wide range of subjects contained in our holdings.

The ideal candidate will have experience writing for diverse audiences across multiple platforms and will be able to adjust tone and scope as each project demands. Experience in cultural heritage institutions or knowledge of philanthropic foundations and the nonprofit sector would be helpful.

Responsibilities

• Researches and writes a variety of assigned texts tailored to the core audiences of the Research and Engagement team: educators, not-for-profit practitioners, researchers, and archives and history professionals.
• Creates content for RE:source, the RAC’s online publication of stories from the archives.
• As needed, contributes to whitepapers to fulfill donor contracts, creates copy for social media posts, and supports content for presentations given by senior staff.
• Develops well-researched story ideas on subjects that reflect the breadth of RAC collections and pitches them to the Associate Director for Research & Engagement.
• Collaborates with other content contributors and revises work based on editorial feedback.
• Attends and takes part in RAC meetings and informal interactions to learn and share knowledge base with other RAC staff.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 1 year of professional experience or
• B.A. degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 3 years of professional experience.
• Experience writing for online publications.
• Experience working with primary sources.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to multi-task and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to break down and communicate complex concepts
• Good observation skills and a keen attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to work both independently and in a team-oriented approach to achieve organizational goals.

Preferred

• Proficiency in the use of content management systems (WordPress).
• Experience in the cultural or nonprofit sectors.
• Training in public history practices.
• Familiarity with accessibility practices such as writing alt text.
• Experience with search engine optimization and other online publishing practices to bring content to relevant users.
• AP style competency desired

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $61,082 to $85,515 per year and is commensurate with experience.

The Rockefeller Archive Center supports a flexible work environment. All flexible work arrangements are determined and approved in advance by the employee’s supervisor and will necessarily vary among different positions.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the application form here: Writer - Rockefeller Archive Center (smapply.us) and follow instructions for uploading your cover letter, resume, and two contrasting writing samples. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 1, 2024.