Job Description

Social Media Specialist

Department: Marketing and Communications
Reports To: Director of Marketing
Status: Non-exempt
Organization: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Social Media Specialist is a key member of The Living Desert’s Marketing Team and serves as the organization’s social media lead. This role is responsible for building, managing, and growing The Living Desert’s digital community across platforms by fostering authentic engagement, managing creator relationships, and translating audience sentiment into meaningful connections with our mission.

This position collaborates closely with other members of the Marketing and Communications Team to ensure social media efforts support the overall marketing strategy, institutional goals, campaigns, and storytelling priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Content & Trend Strategy

• Contribute engagement-driven content ideas informed by audience behavior, social trends, and pop culture moments
• Align social content with organizational storytelling priorities, conservation messaging, and seasonal initiatives
• Translate programs, events, campaigns, and impact stories into engaging posts, short-form video, graphics, and captions
• Adapt content for diverse audiences while maintaining consistent brand voice and messaging
• Identify emerging platforms, tools, and formats that may enhance reach and engagement

Campaign & Organizational Collaboration

• Partner with Marketing team members and cross-departmental stakeholders to support campaigns, events, announcements, and leadership initiatives
• Ensure social media content supports broader marketing and communications objectives
• Provide guidance and support for social media needs across departments

Community Engagement & Management

• Monitor comments, messages, and tagged content across social media platforms
• Respond thoughtfully and professionally to general questions, feedback, and engagement in alignment with brand voice and guidelines
• Flag audience trends, recurring questions or sentiment shifts to the Marketing Team
• Support real-time and timely engagement around campaigns, events, and organizational moments, escalating sensitive issues as appropriate

On-Site & Live Content Support

• Provide on-site social media coverage for events, activations, filming, and special moments
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, and staff to capture engaging and timely content

Creator, Influencer & Partner Support

• Assist with identifying mission-aligned creators, partners, or community figures for potential collaboration
• Support outreach, scheduling, and coordination for approved visits or content opportunities
• Ensure participating creators follow established guidelines and brand expectations
• Help track basic performance and engagement outcomes from creator-related content

Reporting & Insights

• Track and report on engagement metrics, audience growth, sentiment shifts, and content performance
• Use insights to inform social media strategy and improve results over time
• Monitor competitive and peer organizations to identify opportunities and best practices
• Contribute to regular reporting for leadership, funders, or board communications as needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with developing social media guidelines, best practices, and governance
• Support paid social campaigns as needed
• Participate in training, presentations, and professional development related to social media and digital engagement
• Adapt responsibilities as organizational needs evolve
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and special events.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional social media experience
• Experience managing brand communities and creator relationships
• Agency experience or nonprofit experience is a plus

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of social media platforms, trends, tools, and analytics
• Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to voice and tone
• Ability to engage diplomatically with diverse audiences
• Working knowledge of photography and video for social media
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite or similar creative tools
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for conservation, wildlife, or mission-driven storytelling

Salary aligned with skills and experience