Optica is recruiting for a Technical Community Engagement Specialist, who will be responsible for working with the members of our scientific society and internal staff to help manage both the Optica Technical Group program and the Optica Incubator Meetings program. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about working with volunteers to develop unique and engaging programs for Optica’s members.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Technical Community Engagement Specialist will primarily support the Optica Technical Group program, member-led volunteer groups organized according to scientific interest. The groups aim to create vibrant, active communities through member-driven activities, including events at Optica meetings, webinars, and social media engagement. The specialist will be responsible for:

• Scheduling and producing webinars, including building registration pages, assisting with marketing efforts, training volunteers and hosting the live broadcasts.
• Managing technical group activities on social media, overseeing 30+ LinkedIn and Facebook groups run by group leaders, moderating member-generated content, and creating compelling content to share with group leaders.
• Assisting the Director with implementing in-person technical group events at Optica meetings by coordinating logistics with internal staff, assisting with marketing efforts, and assisting onsite with the events.
• Maintaining technical group records by updating dashboard report monthly, keeping committee netForum records up-to-date, and assisting with year-end annual reports.
• Working with the Director to ensure regular communication with group leaders, including scheduling and drafting the agenda for quarterly calls with chairs.
• Maintaining technical group web pages, working with group leaders to add features and event information.
• Assisting in the planning and execution of our annual training meeting for technical group leaders.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Technical Community Engagement Specialist will also support the Optica Incubator Meeting program. Incubator meetings are small, invitation-only events hosted at our headquarters that explore topics at the forefront of optical research. The specialist will be responsible for:

• Coordinating regular planning calls with the incubator meeting host teams.
• Assisting with the creation and distribution of attendee invitations.
• Tracking registration and hotel requests, providing updates to the Director, meeting coordinator, and host team.
• Developing materials for the incubator meeting program books, including the final agenda and attendee bios.
• Creating and maintaining web pages for each Optica Incubator Meeting.
• Providing onsite support for incubator meetings, including assisting with onsite check-in of attendees and room setup.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Four-year college degree is required.
• Two years of association membership experience preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively with both scientific-minded volunteers and members.
• Ability to organize and promote a sense of community through social media, events and activities.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines, coordinate details, and work independently required.
• Ability to travel (about 1-2 trips per year).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and database applications.

Located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC, Optica, formerly OSA, offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. Send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to resumes@optica.org.