Hiring a part-time mod January 6, 2020 7:59 AM Subscribe
Some news I'm happy to be able to share: we're starting the process of hiring a new part-time moderator for MetaFilter. I've made a post on Jobs about the position, and interested MeFites are encouraged to apply, as are non-MeFi folks with a good feel for the needs of community management and moderation.
Some context on this move: the MeFi budget is currently about stable (I'll have a more detailed update on site finances on or around Jan 15th). So we don't have room in the budget to outright expand the team right now; instead this is a replacement hire. restless_nomad is planning to depart for new adventures within the next month or two (see her post directly above) and that's opened up a seat for a new moderator.
So we'll be looking to fill a part time position, with a core focus on bringing in someone who can do an excellent job of serving the MeFi community's needs, and who can bring to the moderation team some needed broader representation and perspective as a step along the way of helping MetaFilter continue to evolve and grow as a team and a community over time.
We want to cast a wide net on this, so we'll be considering candidates both within the site membership and externally. A good familiarity with the MetaFilter community is an obvious plus, and so we're very much hoping to hear from MeFites. If you're interested, please do apply! But since moderation and community management skills are needed all over the place we may find that our best candidate is someone new to the site but not to the skillset.
If you know someone you think may be a good fit, please encourage them to apply; if you have resources or network connections that would be helpful in spreading the word about the position, that's absolutely welcome, as are specific suggestions for things you think I and the rest of the mod team can do to raise visibility of the job or help clarify or solidify the intent of the listing.
It's been a long time since we've been in a position to hire and I'm very excited to have this opportunity. I appreciate all the discussion and thought the MeFi community has collectively put into outline our community needs and goals and the ways in which moderation can help further those, and I look forward to being able to bring a new voice into the mix as we continue to do that work.
Some context on this move: the MeFi budget is currently about stable (I'll have a more detailed update on site finances on or around Jan 15th). So we don't have room in the budget to outright expand the team right now; instead this is a replacement hire. restless_nomad is planning to depart for new adventures within the next month or two (see her post directly above) and that's opened up a seat for a new moderator.
So we'll be looking to fill a part time position, with a core focus on bringing in someone who can do an excellent job of serving the MeFi community's needs, and who can bring to the moderation team some needed broader representation and perspective as a step along the way of helping MetaFilter continue to evolve and grow as a team and a community over time.
We want to cast a wide net on this, so we'll be considering candidates both within the site membership and externally. A good familiarity with the MetaFilter community is an obvious plus, and so we're very much hoping to hear from MeFites. If you're interested, please do apply! But since moderation and community management skills are needed all over the place we may find that our best candidate is someone new to the site but not to the skillset.
If you know someone you think may be a good fit, please encourage them to apply; if you have resources or network connections that would be helpful in spreading the word about the position, that's absolutely welcome, as are specific suggestions for things you think I and the rest of the mod team can do to raise visibility of the job or help clarify or solidify the intent of the listing.
It's been a long time since we've been in a position to hire and I'm very excited to have this opportunity. I appreciate all the discussion and thought the MeFi community has collectively put into outline our community needs and goals and the ways in which moderation can help further those, and I look forward to being able to bring a new voice into the mix as we continue to do that work.
I think the job description is good -- detailed, clear on current expectations and possibilities for future growth, explicit about payscale, encouraging to marginalized people. I'll be spreading the word.
When my spouse was hiring for a team, one thing he did that really helped (and I think this helped with gender and racial diversity in particular) was specifically saying he was happy to have informational interviews with people who were thinking of applying. I believe multiple info interviews he did led to successful candidates. Right now your job post says, "If you have questions, email the same address." but it might make sense to explicitly also say if you have capacity for, like, 15-minute calls/livechats with people who are thinking of applying but are a bit unsure (especially if they're more used to moderating/facilitating communities that aren't primarily online).
posted by brainwane at 10:33 AM on January 6, 2020 [20 favorites]
When my spouse was hiring for a team, one thing he did that really helped (and I think this helped with gender and racial diversity in particular) was specifically saying he was happy to have informational interviews with people who were thinking of applying. I believe multiple info interviews he did led to successful candidates. Right now your job post says, "If you have questions, email the same address." but it might make sense to explicitly also say if you have capacity for, like, 15-minute calls/livechats with people who are thinking of applying but are a bit unsure (especially if they're more used to moderating/facilitating communities that aren't primarily online).
posted by brainwane at 10:33 AM on January 6, 2020 [20 favorites]
I like that framing, brainwane. I'll look at tweaking the listing.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:50 AM on January 6, 2020
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:50 AM on January 6, 2020
My app is in!
posted by divabat at 6:19 PM on January 6, 2020 [41 favorites]
posted by divabat at 6:19 PM on January 6, 2020 [41 favorites]
Oh, divabat, I was so hoping you'd apply! I can't think of anyone more perfect for the role!
posted by daybeforetheday at 1:03 AM on January 7, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by daybeforetheday at 1:03 AM on January 7, 2020 [1 favorite]
It's great for people to apply; thanks to everyone who has applied so far! We're looking forward to a great group of candidates.
I know this comes from the best of positive intentions but I'd also ask that folks avoid anything that could feel like campaigning for someone, or discussing candidates pro or con. This isn't a voting situation, and that perception could easily discourage other terrific candidates from even applying. We really want to hear from a diverse group, specifically including people who might feel like they aren't widely known on the site. If you think you might be interested, or know someone who might be (on or off the site), please do apply or contact us. We want to know who's out there and interested.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:15 AM on January 7, 2020 [35 favorites]
I know this comes from the best of positive intentions but I'd also ask that folks avoid anything that could feel like campaigning for someone, or discussing candidates pro or con. This isn't a voting situation, and that perception could easily discourage other terrific candidates from even applying. We really want to hear from a diverse group, specifically including people who might feel like they aren't widely known on the site. If you think you might be interested, or know someone who might be (on or off the site), please do apply or contact us. We want to know who's out there and interested.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:15 AM on January 7, 2020 [35 favorites]
Thank you for including the pay in the position description. I know it is a tough decision, but it's also a proven best practice that will encourage people from more diverse backgrounds to apply, and it is a big deal and really wonderful to see.
posted by capricorn at 5:49 PM on January 7, 2020 [10 favorites]
posted by capricorn at 5:49 PM on January 7, 2020 [10 favorites]
We already put him in a time machine back to 19th C. California and made him emperor, he's disqualified from holding further office.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:02 AM on January 8, 2020 [12 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:02 AM on January 8, 2020 [12 favorites]
I think it's strange the job posting doesn't say how many hours are expected. I imagine it is a range depending on workload, but I suspect you'll have different people apply for an expected <10 hours a week (side job) vs 30-40 hours a week (near-full time).
posted by saeculorum at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2020
posted by saeculorum at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2020
Of course, right after posting that, I noticed the part about number of hours expected. Whoops.
posted by saeculorum at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2020
posted by saeculorum at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2020
Imma not campaigning for anyone, but I do want to cheer on people who are applying out of a desire to help the community continue to be awesome. (And continue to cheer on the folks already doing that.)
posted by rmd1023 at 5:58 PM on January 8, 2020
posted by rmd1023 at 5:58 PM on January 8, 2020
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posted by Joe in Australia at 10:24 AM on January 6, 2020 [5 favorites]