Engagement & Operations Assistant (part time)

Job Summary

Orion magazine is seeking a part-time Engagement and Operations Assistant to help manage support for subscribers, donors, and other stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to work at an award-winning, 44-year-old nonprofit literary magazine and help Orion engage with our loyal readers and valued supporters. The position assists in the managing, analyzing, and growing of our subscriber base; supporting donor acquisition and fundraising; and reshaping our broader audience engagement strategy as we enter our 45th anniversary in 2027. We’re seeking a motivated self-starter to join Orion’s team – someone who cares about the natural world, about environmental storytelling, about climate and culture. This is a hybrid position, 20 to 25 hours per week. Reporting to Orion’s Business Manager, the ideal applicant will be able to work roughly 8 hours per week (negotiable) in our office in Great Barrington, MA.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage reader/customer queries via email and phone.
• Process incoming subscriptions (mail, email and phone) and conduct data entry in WooCommerce and Salesforce.
• Process and perform data entry for incoming donations and support fundraising campaigns and donor acknowledgements in coordination with the development team.
• Work with Database Manager and Business Manager to resolve data issues (such as discrepancies or duplications between online customer accounts and our database)
• Troubleshoot problems with customer online accounts (WooCommerce / WordPress).
• Assist Database Manager with subscription renewal and gift subscription programs (direct mail and online/email).
• Assist Database Manager with newsstand and retail sales processing.
• Assist Business Manager with shipping magazines, books, and other merchandise; assist with contributing writer/editor contracts; resolve address changes, assist with billing updates, process payments.
• Help refine and improve customer experience on the website; assist with external subscription marketing and communications; communicate with staff on subscriber/donor feedback.
• Develop systems protocol manual after training period.

Skills and Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent written, verbal, and customer service skills
• Salesforce or CRM experience, including data entry and database management
• Experience with WordPress (esp. WooCommerce) and troubleshooting online issues
• Experience processing subscriptions, donations, payments, or other similar transactions
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyze and resolve data issues
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and computer skills
• Interest in nonprofits, fundraising, environmental issues, climate, culture, and literary storytelling
• Experience with Google Workplace, Zoom, and Slack a plus

Details: $22 to $25 an hour, at least 20 hours a week – possibly more during peak holiday season. Preference will be given to candidates able to commute to and work in Great Barrington roughly 8 hours a week – i.e. those who live nearby or are willing to commute (from the Hudson Valley, Albany, northwest Connecticut, or Western Mass.). *Note that Orion’s core staff is remote, except for our in-person Business Manager in Great Barrington.

What we’re looking for: A team player and self-starter, someone who can hit the ground running, someone with experience working for magazines and/or nonprofits. This is an entry-level position but, for the right candidate, there is a potential path to full time. We welcome candidates with an interest in Orion’s mission to nurture a community of caring for the planet.

What you will find: Four-day work week (closed on Fridays). Occasional opportunity to write for Orion and to represent Orion at events. Work closely with veteran editors and award-winning writers. Free Orion subscription. Discounts on writing workshops, books, merchandise.

To Apply: Applicants should email a resume and one-page cover letter – combined into a single PDF – to apply@orionmagazine.org. Please use the subject line “Engagement and Operations Assistant.” Please tell us why this role is right for you, and why you’re right for Orion. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference given to those received by October 10. The ideal candidate would be able to start by late October.

About Orion

• Meet Orion’s team: https://orionmagazine.org/our-team/
• Learn more about Orion’s history and mission: https://orionmagazine.org/mission-and-history/
• Follow us on social and sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://orionmagazine.org/connect/

Orion seeks a diverse pool of candidates and welcomes applicants from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations. As an EOE/AA employer, Orion will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.

What you will find: Four-day work week (closed on Fridays). Occasional opportunity to write for Orion and to represent Orion at events. Work closely with veteran editors and award-winning writers. Free Orion subscription. Discounts on writing workshops, books, merchandise.