SEO Specialist (Full--time / Contract)

Job Description

This is a full-time contract position. Ability to work independently, typically 40 hours per week, is required.

SUMMARY: As an SEO Specialist contractor, you will support organic search performance across multiple K12-powered schools' digital marketing efforts. This is an SEO-first role with content marketing responsibilities, focused on execution: on-page optimization, content refreshes, and data-backed briefs for priority pages. Your work will ensure that prospective families can easily find and evaluate school options through organic and AI-driven search.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

- Conducts keyword research and search intent analysis for assigned pages and topics.

- Performs on-page optimization including title tags, meta descriptions, headers, body content, and internal linking.

- Executes content refreshes on priority pages based on ranking and traffic data.

- Applies local SEO best practices to individual school location pages and geographic targeting.

- Flags technical issues such as indexation, canonicals, and crawl errors for the internal team to resolve.

- Builds data-backed content briefs with target keywords, intent, and structure.

- Reviews and optimizes content from writers before publication.

- Follows established SEO guidelines and templates across the subdomain network.

- Provides monthly performance updates on optimized and refreshed pages including rankings, traffic, and engagement.

- Ensures thorough, timely, and accurate communications.

- Executes tasks by utilizing various SEO technologies and platforms specific to the business.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: None required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Three (3) or more years of hands-on SEO experience, in-house or agency, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Strong keyword research and search intent mapping skills.

- Proficiency with SEO tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs, Google Search Console, and Google Analytics.

- Proven ranking and traffic improvements supported by specific examples.

- Working knowledge of on-page technical elements including indexation, canonicals, internal linking, and structured data.

- Strong written communication skills with the ability to create SEO-optimized content.

- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

- Ability to work independently and within a team-oriented environment.

- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines consistently.

- High level of quality and accountability for work products.

- Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity, and trust.

- Ability to clear a required background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Experience with education, EdTech, or multi-location organizations. Experience with enterprise SEO tools such as BrightEdge.

- Familiarity with AI search visibility.

- Experience with enterprise content management systems.

- Experience with schema markup and structured data implementation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a contractor encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- This position is virtual and open to residents of the 50 states and D.C.

Compensation & Benefits: Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level. Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections. Offers will ty