Editor and Writer

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned tree-focused botanical garden located just outside of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois. With more than one million annual visitors, the Arboretum seeks an experienced editor and writer to support a variety of Arboretum communications and uphold the institutional brand through written communications. And help advance our mission to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world while working with a talented marketing team. This is a part-time, hybrid-eligible position with competitive benefits.

Position Summary: Responsible for editing and proofreading a variety of Arboretum communications to ensure a high quality of expression and alignment with the Arboretum’s voice and brand. Write communications for various channels and audiences to support the mission, programs, and events of The Morton Arboretum. Consult with and advise other departments in effective written communications. 

Essential Functions: 

• Serve as a resource to members of the Marketing and Guest Experience team and the organization at-large by editing and proofreading a wide variety of communications; support the team’s efforts to illustrate the Arboretum’s mission and value to people and the environment. Communications may include web content, fundraising materials, stories for publication, emails, press releases, interpretation, invitations, advertisements, and more.

• Craft Arboretum messages to key audiences in innovative, creative, consistent, and compelling ways to inspire interest in, knowledge of, and love for trees, science, and nature; attract guests and engage them with the Arboretum experience; and encourage philanthropy to support the Arboretum’s mission.

• Reflect the Arboretum's mission, brand, and voice in all communications.

• Ensure written communications demonstrate grammatical excellence, consistency, and adherence to AP and/or the Arboretum style guide. 

• Maintain a relevant and updated Arboretum style guide in coordination with the senior writer and the director of marketing.

• Collaborate effectively and provide project management and coordination of writing projects. 

• Mentor other staff members in effective writing and communication, including about basic scientific topics. Advise, train, and provide editing to other departments, serving as a marketing liaison as needed.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning and make the Arboretum exceptional.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in journalism, English or related field preferred. 4+ years professional editing experience required, with AP style preferred; storytelling experience a plus. Excellent writing, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills are required to meet varied and simultaneous deadlines. Experience editing marketing materials, press releases, and web content preferred. Experience or background in scientific writing and editing preferred. Demonstrated ability to provide feedback to professional and non-professional writers in a way that affirms their engagement and improves their content. Proficiency with Google applications required. 

Success Factors: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with creative teams and across the institution. Interest in trees, and dedication to the Arboretum and its mission. Ability to lead projects, open to feedback, and ability to work independently to meet deadlines. Well organized and detail-oriented. Skill in writing to different age, reading, and knowledge levels. Ability to develop a keen understanding of how effective communications build a brand and how a consistent voice builds trust and reinforces brand positioning and personality. Commitment to increasing diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility through the stories we tell.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands:  Operating a computer for prolonged periods.

• Work Environment: Office environment. Work is primarily performed indoors. 

• Equipment: General office equipment

• Schedule: Average schedule is 20 hours per week with hours and activity levels varying based on project work.

The expected hiring range is between $29.00 - $33.00/hour based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process, along with internal equity. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success.  The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.  To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.