Independent Contractor - Design Specialist, Creative Services

<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Job Title</strong>: Independent Contractor - Design Specialist, Creative Services</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Location</strong>: Remote</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reports to</strong>: Senior Designer, Creative Services</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Position Type</strong>: Contract</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Desired Length of Contract</strong>: 6 Months</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Payment Terms</strong>: This role requires a commitment of approximately 20 to 25 hours per</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">week, flexibly distributed to accommodate project demands and personal schedules. This</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">budget is approximately $35-$58 per hour.</span></p> <p><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">About Blue Star Families</span></strong></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blue Star Families (BSF) is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families by</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">providing programming and resources while strengthening their connections to their local</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">communities. We partner with businesses, government agencies, and local organizations</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to create impactful programs that empower and uplift military families.</span></p> <p><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Independent Contractor Engagement Terms:</span></strong></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This independent contractor will be retained solely for project-based, outcome-driven</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">services, and will not be an employee, agent, or representative of Blue Star Families. The</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">independent contractor:</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Will provide their own tools, equipment, and software necessary for completing</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">deliverables.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Is responsible for determining work methods, scheduling, and location of work.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Maintains full control over how services are executed.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Will invoice BSF on agreed terms and is responsible for their own tax obligations,</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">insurance, and business expenses.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● May perform work for other clients and is not subject to BSF employee policies or</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">supervision.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Project-Based Scope of Work</span></strong></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● The Independent Contractor (Design Specialist, Creative Services) will provide</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">design support for Blue Star Families’ collateral needs, ensuring all materials align</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">with BSF branding and design guidelines. Responsibilities include:</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">○ BSF social media graphics, including animated graphics</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">○ BSF email newsletter graphics</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">○ Reports, presentations, and slide decks</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">○ Event signage and digital assets, including infographics</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">○ Fundraising collateral</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">○ Other campaign materials, as needed</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Independent Contractor will ensure all materials maintain consistency with Blue Star</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Families brand identity. Chapter designs should be editable in Canva, allowing Chapters to</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">update and modify materials as needed. Independent Contractor will respond in a timely</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">manner, typically within 24 hours.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Preferred Qualifications</span></strong></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● 1-4 years of professional or relevant internship experience in graphic design,</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">marketing/communications, or a creative services environment.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Proficiency with design tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., InDesign,</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Illustrator, Photoshop), experience with Canva, and experience with maintaining</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">templates and folders within these design tools for org-usage.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Experience creating animated graphics or motion assets (After Effects, Canva, or</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">similar tools)</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established design systems,</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">templates, and brand standards.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Solid visual design skills, including layout, typography, color, and composition.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● Comfort working in a remote environment and using project management and</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">collaboration tools.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">● May be required to work nights, weekends, or holidays as necessary to support key</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">organizational moments or events.</span></p> <p><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deliverables & Payment Terms</span></strong></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All services shall be delivered in accordance with agreed deadlines and milestones.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Payment structure to be outlined in a separate contract. BSF shall not direct how services</span><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">are performed – only that deliverables meet agreed results.</span></p>

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