Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is a growing charity working for a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future. We are seeking a Swim Guide writer to craft website and app content, articles, and support materials for Swim Guide to reach a variety of audiences interested in swimmable water.

Swim Guide is a website and a smartphone app created by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper to deliver up-to-date water quality information to Swim Guide users for over 7,000 beaches, lakes, rivers, and swimming holes in Canada, the USA, Mexico, and New Zealand: www.theswimguide.org.

The Writer position is perfect for someone who loves to write and is passionate about helping communities learn about and protect their recreational waters. You will be writing about beaches, water issues, nature, and culture for the web’s leading beach information service. Your contributions coincide with the launch of an expanded Swim Guide website, which means you will have a hand in crafting the voice of Swim Guide.

Description of Responsibilities

The Swim Guide Writer will create most of Swim Guide’s online and written communications. Your primary responsibilities will be:

• Writing and/or editing blog posts on a range topics related to recreational water;

• Writing and/or editing content related to planning trips to coastal and freshwater swim sites.

• Writing backgrounders on Swim Guide’s affiliated organizations;

• Writing support manuals for Swim Guide affiliates

• Writing beach and regional descriptions;

• Posting content to www.theswimguide.org (training will be provided);

• Creating press releases related to Swim Guide;

• Writing and/or editing articles and op-eds about Swim Guide.

Required Skills and Experience

• Excellent writing skills, particularly for web readers;

• The ability to explain complex subjects and ideas to different audiences;

• Experience creating content for the public (professional or volunteer experience);

• Experience managing online content;

• Research experience.

• Ability to follow style guides.

• Ability to set and meet deadlines.

Other Desirable Skills and Experience

• An understanding of recreational water quality issues and activities.

• An interest in analytics and the willingness to optimize your writing to reach audiences more effectively;

• Team player, positive attitude, cooperative and helpful;

• Flexible and willing to respond quickly to emerging stories and issues;

• Passionate about protecting waterways.