SEO Operations & Optimization Specialist

About Growth Steps

Growth Steps is a digital marketing agency that helps local service-based businesses generate leads and grow through SEO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, websites, analytics, and marketing strategy.

Our clients include businesses such as kitchen remodelers, home care agencies, dog trainers, attorneys, healthcare providers, moving companies, and other U.S.-based local service businesses.

We're looking for an experienced SEO professional who enjoys both strategy and execution. You'll work directly with the founder to implement SEO campaigns, improve website performance, optimize Google Business Profiles, support content initiatives, and help drive measurable business results.

This role will likely start in the 20-30 hours per week range and has the potential to grow into a full-time position for the right person. We are open to both part-time and full-time candidates. For the right person, this role has the potential to grow into a long-term full-time position.

Responsibilities

* Conduct SEO audits and identify opportunities for improvement
* Perform keyword research and competitor analysis
* Optimize service pages, landing pages, and website content
* Write and optimize title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and internal links
* Manage and optimize Google Business Profiles
* Implement and maintain schema markup
* Assist with citation management and local SEO initiatives
* Publish and update content in WordPress and Webflow
* Monitor rankings, traffic, conversions, and SEO performance
* Create clear reports and recommendations
* Assist with link building research, prospecting, and outreach
* Coordinate with writers, designers, developers, and link building partners when needed
* Follow documented processes and contribute ideas for improvement

Requirements

* 5+ years of hands-on SEO experience
* Experience working with U.S.-based businesses, preferably local service businesses
* Strong understanding of Local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization
* Experience with technical SEO fundamentals
* Strong understanding of on-page SEO, content optimization, and user experience
* Ability to optimize pages for both search engines and real people
* Experience using tools such as BrightLocal, Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, GA4, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush
* Excellent written and spoken English
* Strong attention to detail
* Reliable communication and consistent availability
* Ability to think critically and make sound recommendations
* Comfortable using AI tools while still reviewing and validating your work

What Success Looks Like

* SEO recommendations are implemented accurately and thoughtfully
* Work is completed with minimal oversight
* Pages are optimized without hurting readability, user experience, or conversions
* Opportunities are identified proactively
* Communication is clear, reliable, and organized
* Client websites improve in visibility, traffic, and lead generation

Important

We are not looking for someone who blindly follows SEO checklists.

We're looking for someone who understands that SEO exists to help businesses generate leads, sales, and revenue.

Attention to detail is critical. Small mistakes can have significant consequences. Candidates should be comfortable reviewing their work carefully before implementation.

You should be able to balance SEO best practices with common sense, readability, conversion rate, and the customer’s experience on the website.

Application Instructions

Please include:

* A brief overview of your SEO experience
* How many years of SEO experience you have
* Your experience working with U.S.-based businesses
* Your experience with Local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization
* The SEO tools you use most often
* Your availability and desired hourly rate

Please also record a 5-10 minute Loom video walking us through a website or SEO campaign you personally worked on.

In your video, please explain:

* What type of business it was
* Whether it was a U.S.-based business
* What SEO challenges existed when you started
* What specific work you personally completed
* How you prioritized the work
* What tools you used
* What results were achieved
* What you would do differently today

We're less interested in perfect results and more interested in understanding how you think, communicate, and approach SEO.

Thanks,

Ryan Grieve
Growth Steps