Communications Coordinator

Posted by Stephanie Vivirito on

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Job Details

Description

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 53 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, etc. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world.  The organization’s programs focus on conserving wildlife, restoring habitat and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW), led by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), is seeking a Communications Coordinator to support strategic communications efforts of the Coalition.  In this role you will be a key player in developing and implementing a strategic communications campaign to maintain the federal commitment to restore and protect the Great Lakes and to advance other priority issues and policies for the region. You will assist the Communications Director and the HOW Director in planning and implementing a robust strategic communication plan that advances Coalition goals by effectively using traditional and social media channels with media, public officials, Coalition members and allies. You will help ensure that equity and justice is integrated and centered throughout our communications.

The Coalition’s communication goals are to tell the story of restoring the Great Lakes, be a leading voice for Great Lakes restoration and protection in Washington, D.C., and in the Great Lakes states, and to inform members of the Coalition about the latest developments through social media, blogs, media relations, polling, reports, and joint letters to the U.S. Congress.

The position requires excellent writing, speaking, time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.  This position is located in Ann Arbor, MI. (Due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions).

Your major areas of responsibility include:

Coordination: Design and implement a robust communications strategy to advance the HOW Coalition goals—including the strategic integration of priorities that help advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Coordinate communications activities on a day-to-day basis with Coalition staff to make sure that all aspects of the communications campaign are effectively and efficiently integrated. Coordinate as necessary with Coalition partners and NWF’s Great Lakes Regional Center staff.

Writing: Craft fact sheets, press releases, success stories, and reports that advance Coalition campaign goals and messages throughout the year to congress, media, and coalition membership. Craft foundational content and opportunistic pieces as needed with a focus on lifting up black, indigenous, and people of color leaders and Coalition members to address environmental injustices.

Traditional Media: Assist Communications Director in designing and implementing the Coalition’s strategic media strategy, including the placement of the Coalition’s main messages in print, radio, blogs, and TV.

Social Media: Oversee the Coalition’s strategic use of social media (including Coalition website) by creating and implementing social media campaigns while looking for new opportunities to advance Coalition goals on social media. Oversee a robust, timely on-line presence that includes the strategic integration of the Coalition’s Website and social media platforms, with an emphasis on Twitter. Assist Coalition staff in designing and implementing robust social media strategy, as well as helping Coalition members advance common goals on social media.

Events: Provide strategic communications advice and support to ensure the success of Coalition events such as Great Lakes Days in Washington, D.C., and the Coalition’s Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference.

Qualifications:

  • Excellent communication and writing skills.
  • Experience with media relations and social media.
  • Ability to coordinate various levels of staff activities to meet program goals.
  • Cultural competency in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

Competencies:

  • Must be a strategic thinker, self-starter, well organized, strong communicator, and relationship builder.
  • Dedicated to deepening understanding of cultural and systemic racism and the intersectionality of multiple forms of social inequality.
  • An entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic.
  • Must have a passion for and commitment to NWF’s mission.
  • Knowledge and interest in environmental justice.

Travel Requirements:

You will travel approximately 4-5 times per year (once it is safe to do so post-COVID-19), including the Coalition’s two marquee events—the annual fly-in in Washington, D.C., and the

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The salary range for this position is currently $45,000 – $50,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

The National Wildlife Federation values work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere.  Our paid time-off includes 3 weeks of vacation leave, open wellbeing leave, 10 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, a week-long winter break, and additional leave options, per year.  In addition, our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, AD&D, short and long-term disability, 16 weeks of paid FMLA leave, 403b retirement plan with employer matching and annual contribution, adoption benefits, and flexible work options including telecommuting, non-traditional work hours, and compressed work weeks.  Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world.  We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

If you have a disability and require an accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help by calling us at 703-438-6244.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply.  Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translates directly to our openings.  Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume, and three writing samples.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

Background

The Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition (HOW) is a coalition of more than 160 organizations from around the Great Lakes regions dedicated to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. HOW has seen significant victories since its inception in 2004, including playing a critical role in the establishment of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy, bringing over $3 billion in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through strong, bipartisan advocacy, and advocating for federal action and funding to address critical Great Lakes issues such as water infrastructure, harmful algal blooms, Clean Water Act rollbacks, and Asian Carp.  A top priority for the Coalition is to advance ecological outcomes while reversing environmental injustices, and in the past several years the Coalition has worked to advance solutions to water shut-offs, water affordability, lead contamination, and other threats that disproportionately impact people of color, low-income communities, and Indigenous people.

The Coalition uses a three-pronged approach of direct political advocacy, strong communications, and agile grasstops organizing to bring environmental protections and restoration funding to the Great Lakes region. Staffed out of NWF’s Great Lakes office in Ann Arbor and the National Parks Conservation Association’s Washington, D.C. office, HOW has a strong team with many years of experience in environmental policy and advocacy.