Publications Translation and Community Partnership Specialist

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most important animals. We are seeking a bilingual publication specialist to play a key role in developing non-English-language information materials and connecting with appropriate communities. 

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING: 

The Publications Translation and Community Partnership Specialist will coordinate translation of Xerces publications utilized by all of Xerces conservation programs, although the primary focus will be on materials used by the Pollinator and Agricultural Biodiversity program and the team’s Partner Biologists with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Specialist will work with program staff to identify publications to be translated, collaborate with contractors to get materials translated, review translations and designs, and conduct outreach cooperatively with program staff to ensure translated materials reach appropriate communities. The primary language for translations will be Spanish, but translation into other languages may be needed, such as Hmong and Arabic. Supervision of this role is provided by the Director of Outreach & Education. This position will be on the Outreach & Education Team, but the specialist will spend much of their time working closely with members of other teams.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Publications Translation and Design: 

Facilitate translation of existing and future Xerces Society publications. Ensure translated materials maintain Xerces reputation for high-quality, consistent, and compelling evidence-based conservation guidance. The publications may include, but are not limited to, reports, fact sheets, brochures, conservation guidelines, and other programmatic materials. 

• In conjunction with the Director of Outreach & Education, develop a list of publications to be translated and then work with staff and contractors to undertake translations and finalize materials. 
• Collaborate with Xerces Society program staff and NRCS partners to identify and prioritize which publications to translate.
• Work with contractors, as needed, to ensure accurate translation appropriate for intended community users.
• Review translated drafts and communicate necessary changes to contractors.
• If appropriate, make necessary changes to document design to accommodate differences in text length of languages.
• Ensure that NRCS partner review and approval of translated materials is gained, as necessary.
• Ensure all translated publications meet standards for accessibility, quality, and branding, and are developed following Xerces’  publications process.
• Work with supervisor to evaluate changing project priorities, and redirect work as required. 
• Upon publication, ensure files are added to Xerces’ central publications archive and when necessary, uploaded to the Xerces website, and work with NRCS partner staff to have appropriate NRCS publications uploaded to state Field Office Technical Guides.
• Work with Operations Assistant and Outreach and Events Assistant to get items printed and distributed, as needed.
• Refine and improve Xerces’ publications process, develop guidance for other staff, and develop tools, such as checklists, to support translation and development of publications.

Outreach to Non-English-Speaking Communities:

Work with NRCS staff, Xerces–NRCS partner biologists, National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees (NOPHNRCSE) members, and others to help educate diverse non-English or English as a second language (ESL) communities, with a primary focus on connecting producers with NRCS conservation practices and programs.

• Work with Xerces–NRCS partner biologists to help them in building stronger community and conservation partnerships with historically underserved (HU) producers and build upon Xerces and NRCS efforts to help producers adopt climate-smart practices that also support pollinators, beneficial insects, wildlife, and biodiversity in general through nature-based solutions. 
• Work closely with Xerces program staff to help foster local collaborations with Hispanic, Hmong, and other HU producers for whom English is a second language. This work will include assessing interests and needs of these local communities when it comes to pollinator, beneficial insect, or wildlife habitat practices, and building strong working relationships with local partners.
• Develop a checklist and guidance for Xerces–NRCS partner biologists to work effectively with non-English-speaking farmers, ranchers, urban agriculturalists, and other communities.
• Plan and implement field days during which Spanish-language resources can be shared with farmers.
• Help in managing translation services for webinars and other virtual training events, and as appropriate, provide help with translating presentation slides into Spanish.

Digital Media: 

Document field visits and events and contribute content to Xerces blogs, social media, and other communication channels. 

• Take photos and video of field days, site visits, and other events, when appropriate.
• Ensure that model releases and permissions are gathered and saved for all images and recordings.
• Update website content associated with publications.
• Give input to blogs, newsletters, or other communications. 

Other:

• Participate in team meetings, cross-program community engagement meetings, all-staff meetings, and other meetings, as necessary.
• Travel out of state to support Xerces or NRCS activities. 

REQUIRED

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English and translating documents.
• Experience in community engagement and public speaking.
• Experience in publication editing, design, and production. 
• Working knowledge of and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, which may include InDesign, Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, and / or Bridge. 
• Experience using Microsoft Office and Google Workspace software.
• Strong self-organization and time-management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work cooperatively with local and remote staff.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and troubleshoot problems while meeting shifting deadlines. 
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion. 
• Commitment to conservation, and/or interest in the conservation of insects, pollinators, wildlife, or other natural resources.

PREFERRED

• Background or experience in pollinator, entomology, wildlife or other biology natural resources conservation.
• Experience working on farms or ranches, or a familiarity with agricultural practices and the perspective of the farm or ranch community.
• Experience with USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs, and knowledge of key programs and practices.
• Experience with planning and organizing events.
• Experience with outreach and education in any capacity.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in communications, publications design, or other appropriate area of study.
• 3 or more years of progressive work experience in publications production. 
• Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check and clean driving record allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance. 
• Ability to travel out of town for up to 4 days /month.
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.
• Seldom to Occasionally move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Seldom to Occasionally drive vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours.
• Seldom to Occasionally work outdoors in the field for 1-8 hours per day under potentially adverse weather conditions.
• Seldom to Occasionally traverse across unpaved roads, walkways, fields and unimproved trails for periods of 1-8 hours, carrying 10 pounds of material or equipment.
• Travel overnight when necessary for meetings, project assessments, implementation, meetings, or planning.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, hourly, non-exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Schedule may be flexible and the opportunity for partial or full-time remote work location can be made, depending on job-specific requirements.

COMPENSATION: Salary Description $30.80 per hour.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; thirteen paid holidays, paid time off accrued at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule), medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, short-term disability insurance where not provided under state law, long-term disability insurance, participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting eligibility requirements, and a flexible work environment.

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

MORE INFORMATION:  For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website, xerces.org 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

• All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 

PRIORITY REFERRAL OF PROTECTED VETERANS

We request priority referral of protected veterans for all openings with our organization. In order to be considered for employment, all applicants for employment with Xerces Society, apply through our Job Board. When referring or being referred as a candidate, including protected veterans, please refer them to this applicant site: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs.

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

We are committed to creating a more diverse workforce that is welcoming to all employees and the communities we serve. As part of the application process, please be prepared to answer a brief essay question (1,000 characters or less) in which you describe some ways you might help Xerces collaborate with diverse audiences or historically excluded communities in this role.

Xerces is happy to provide accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org.