This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.
It’s nine months into the pandemic, and workers all over the U.S. are appreciating the wide-ranging benefits of remote work.
In fact, according to FlexJobs’ annual survey, 65% of workers want to work remotely full-time post-pandemic, while 31% would like a hybrid arrangement that combines both remote and in-office work.
With so many employees wanting to continue working remotely and companies realizing how valuable remote work is to both employee satisfaction and their bottom line, employers are reconsidering the types of jobs that can be done from home.
To demonstrate the increasing range of jobs that are compatible with remote work, we wanted to take a look back to showcase the most surprising remote job titles of 2020.
Note: The 50 jobs below are either active postings or were active at some point during 2020. These positions range from entry-level to senior-level and span across a wide range of industries. For more currently active surprising jobs in a variety of career categories, FlexJobs members can check out our most surprising flexible jobs.
1. Apparel product development consultant
This industry specialist provides manufacturing guidance for product-based brands looking to connect with American manufacturers.
2. Architect
Via virtual study groups, the freelance licensed architect will work with aspiring architects to help them study and prepare for the ARE 5.0 exams.
3. Associate scientist — climate impact and snow modeling
Working with other scientists to study climate impacts on snow processes and water resources, the associate scientist collaborates with researchers, runs simulations and analyzes data.
4. Bridge engineer
The certified structural design engineer takes on a variety of difficult bridge engineering projects that may involve CAE and CAD.
5. Conversation designer
The conversation designer works with an online engagement solutions company to collaborate with enterprise brands, research intents and design conversational experiences.
6. Cosmetology practice question writer
A licensed cosmetologist creates practice questions and answers for students taking the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology’s Cosmetology Theory Examination.
7. Culinary arts virtual teacher
The certified culinary arts teacher will administer the curriculum based on the state standards for culinary arts and create a positive virtual learning environment for students.
8. Dental assistant or hygienist
Working in a case management capacity, the dental assistant remotely manages patients’ care plans, coordinates services, implements care strategies and initiates referrals.
9. Digital painter
The Photoshop master and exceptional painter with a strong sense of color and lighting will work with art directors and writers to bring interactive stories to life.
10. Director of identity and freelancer fraud
This anti-fraud position creates and leads an identity strategy to ensure that freelancer accounts accurately represent the individual doing the work.
11. Electrical controls analyst
Part-time analyst provides remote machine and electrical control systems technical support for a federal government ship construction program.
12. Fertility utilization review
The registered nurse performs utilization management and review services for infertility and IVF populations, such as determining appropriate services and interacting with facilities.
13. Festival coordinator
The seasonal festival coordinator will serve as a media contact and provide project management and marketing support to promote the Sundance Film Festival.
14. Finance and banking translator
A translator with English fluency and finance and banking knowledge will translate finance, legal and banking materials from German into French.
15. Fitness instructor
The expert virtual fitness instructor leads online fitness classes and is certified to teach multiple formats.
16. Geospatial analyst
Using GIS software and skills, the geospatial analyst conducts research and extracts feature and terrain data to prepare mapping projects for clients.
17. Home stylist
An interior designer or decorator with professional experience will create designs for clients and source furnishings and decor from vendors.
18. Infectious diseases research scientist
The infectious disease scientist can work from home for non-laboratory tasks, including interpreting and analyzing data and preparing research and presentations on HIV and HBV.
19. In-game chat moderation
Responsibilities of the independent game moderators include reviewing live, in-game chats from video game players on Xbox One, PS4 and PC platforms.
20. Junior food photographer
Working with chefs, stylists, and food experts, the junior photographer obtains appealing images, retouches photos and uploads images for distribution.
21. Lead chef instructor — pastry
The pastry chef instructor facilitates learning, provides education, schedules instructors and completes evaluations for culinary school staff.
22. Lead sediment design engineer
Lead engineer with sediment remediation experience performs challenging evaluations, provides technical expertise and completes studies for environmental projects.
23. Lead telehealth creative arts therapist
Serving as the lead therapist for the Creative Forces-Rural Veterans TeleRehabilitation Initiative, this position provides clinical and research support to other creative arts therapists.
24. Life coach
The life coach for the financial sector employees conducts seminars and one-on-one sessions to provide life hacks, help with goal setting and serve as a source of motivation.
25. Menu team supervisor
The team supervisor provides day-to-day support to up to 15 direct reports, identifies process improvements and leads meetings.
26. Mixology and bartending instructor
Working remotely, the bartending instructor teaches online bartending classes for a culinary experience-focused online marketplace.
27. Navy Readiness Improvement Program lead
The Readiness Improvement Program (RIP) lead supports operational, logistical, and material readiness requirements for Navy clients by supervising and directing a team of operational experts.
28. Northern mine geotechnical specialist
The geotechnical specialist provides technical expertise and assistance to operations teams working at abandoned mines.
29. Nurse practitioner
A board-certified nurse practitioner will provide direct telemedicine patient care by evaluating records, deciding on prescriptions and providing counseling.
30. Organic handler certification specialist
The organic certification specialist reviews land history, input materials and seed and planting stock used for compliance with national organic regulations.
31. Pattern maker
A technical designer and pattern maker will build out templates and generate technical packages for a custom shirt and swag company.
32. Phonetician
A translation company needs native English, French, German, Italian or Spanish speakers with linguistics backgrounds to review a text-to-speech synthesizer.
33. Project manager — custom farm builds
Working with hydroponic farm units, the project manager sends out proposals, reviews modifications, and handles client communications.
34. Prop styling photographer
Photographers shoot original photos, including hero and inline images, for a variety of home-related articles.
35. School social worker
An online school social worker implements programs, helps families access resources and develops crisis plans for virtual school.
36. Scientist
The contract scientist will ensure that new pharmaceutical products are ready for production and distribution in the global marketplace.
37. Script analyst
A contract script analyst will evaluate screenplays, writing up to seven pages of feedback on how the script can be improved.
38. Senior mortgage underwriter
Using underwriting guidelines, the underwriter reviews applications to determine eligibility and analyzes applicants’ income and expenses.
39. Senior scientist — biocompatibility specialist
The scientist acts as the biocompatibility subject matter expert and provides process risk and biocompatibility material assessments for the company’s research and development group.
40. Simulation creator
A licensed occupational therapist will work to provide expertise and develop and maintain patient videos and online occupational therapy simulations.
41. Social support, COVID-19
To ensure the well-being of quarantined and isolated COVID patients and their families, the support worker helps to locate resources and manage referrals.
42. Spaceship physics developer
The physics developer develops simulations and writes multi-threaded code for a space simulation company.
43. Strategic partner, sports
A strategic talent partner acquires and onboards world-class athletes to help them connect with their fans and raise money for charity.
44. Styling team lead
Directly managing 25-30 remote stylists, the team lead will hire, onboard, develop performance plans and provide coaching and encouragement.
45. Teleradiologist
A full-time teleradiologist will work from home on nights and weekends for an award-winning company privately owned by radiologists.
46. Tissue regeneration specialist, surgical and sports medicine
The specialist works as a sales representative for biologic products for surgical and injectable applications within their assigned territory.
47. Toxicologist
A temporary toxicologist with risk assessment experience will evaluate product safety, oversee testing systems, and summarize and interpret data.
48. Trade book strategist
An educational company seeks a trade book strategist to build and maintain relationships with publishers and develop purchasing strategies.
49. Virtual STEM camp director
The camp director supervises and manages campers and instructors, provides tech support and leads staff meetings for virtual STEM camp.
50. Wildlife scientist
Working for the Humane Society of the United States, the wildlife scientist conducts research and outreach, and provides scientific and writing assistance to wildlife teams.
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