Development/Communications Coordinator

History & Mission. 

Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) is a statewide organization. We work collaboratively with communities to facilitate environmental health and justice by holding corporations, the military, and governments accountable for their environmental practices. We assist communities in implementing effective strategies to limit their exposure to toxic substances and to protect and restore the ecosystems that sustain them and their ways of life. ACAT's mission is to assure justice by advocating for environmental and community health. We believe everyone has the right to clean air, clean water, and toxic-free food.

Constituency & Precautionary Principle:

ACAT staff and board members engage successfully with tribes and other affected communities concerned about toxics and conservation issues. At the same time, those in the mainstream of U.S. society who may not ordinarily think of themselves as environmentalists (physicians, nurses, scientists, clergy, teachers, students, horticulturalists, attorneys) participate in our public events and actively contribute to our work.

They see the link between environmental toxics and human health, and understand the benefits in addressing both health and environmental issues together. We share the conviction that under conditions of scientific uncertainty, when evidence of the potential for harm to the environment and human health is scientifically compelling, precautionary measures that emphasize prevention should be undertaken.

Diversity:

ACAT is governed by a volunteer board. 4 of the 10 members live in Anchorage and the others in small communities in 4 major regions of Alaska (Southcentral, Southwest, Western Alaska, and Interior). 7 of the board members are persons of color, 6 of whom are from the diverse Indigenous peoples of Alaska (Alaska Natives). Quarterly board meetings and board committee meetings are conducted by teleconference, with a face-to-face meeting for the entire board and staff conducted annually in a retreat setting. 6 of ACAT's 10 permanent staff members are Alaska Natives, 4 of whom live on St. Lawrence Island (Bering Sea).

Organizational Structure:

ACAT avoids hierarchy and bureaucracy by operating like a symphony orchestra with the executive director (ED) serving as the conductor. Staff members meet weekly in "harmony meetings" to discuss plans, successes, and challenges; board members join the meetings periodically. The ED meets individually with staff members on an ad hoc basis to discuss strategies for specific programmatic actions. As a conductor, the ED leads and supervises all of the Anchorage staff members directly.

All of our board and staff members are dedicated to the ACAT mission, and those who are successful have developed a passion for the work. The ED shares some of the conducting responsibilities for the organization with the Environmental Justice Program Director. We visualize ourselves as part of the "largest movement in the world" which was described in Paul Hawken's 2007 book: Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being, and Why No one Saw It Coming.

ACAT is one of uncounted thousands of groups that are working to "heal the wounds of the earth with the force of passion, dedication, and collective intelligence and wisdom" which are "bringing about what may one day be judged the single most profound transformation of human society."

Strategies:

ACAT uses 2 interdependent strategies that interact to result in sustainable change, which are to 1) Conduct community-based scientific investigations; 2) Educate and activate concerned individuals and organizations; and 3) Advocate for communities. We produce investigative reports and GIS maps, sponsor public educational events, organize with tribal villages and other communities, utilize the media, prompt policymakers, conduct grassroots democracy work, maintain an organic demonstration garden, work on national and international policy issues in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations, and bring legal suits (when all else fails) to achieve environmental health and justice.

Position Overview: 

Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) seeks a full-time Development/Communications Coordinator to facilitate the implementation of ACAT's Development Plan. The Coordinator must be able to work independently as well as collaborate with ACAT's staff and board to accommodate fundraising and communications goals. The Coordinator will work closely with ACAT's full-time grant writer.

Responsibilities: 

The Development/Communications Coordinator is responsible for fundraising and communication with our supporters and constituents to increase public awareness and support of ACAT's work.

Implement ACAT Fundraising Plan:

ACAT has an active board/staff fundraising committee and a 5-year fundraising plan in place. In 2008-2009, a fundraising consultant worked with ACAT and conducted training sessions for the board and Anchorage staff members. The Development/ Communications Coordinator will ensure implementation of the tasks laid out in the fundraising plan, which include:

1. Contacting potential donors and major donors (phone, in-person, emails, and letters) to request contributions;
2. Working with the board to help them cultivate donors;
3. Organizing board and staff activities with donors;
4. Writing and distributing quarterly appeal letters;
5. Assuring that all donors receive personalized thank you letters; and
6. Planning and executing fundraising and benefit events for ACAT.

Coordinate Work with Database Technician:

ACAT uses SalesForce.com to track donor information. The Development/Communications Coordinator will be trained to employ this user-friendly database to track memberships, fundraising tasks, events participation, scheduled reminders, e-alerts, appeal letters, etc. Mastery of this software within 6 months is necessary.

Assist Executive Director with Foundations:

Although the Executive Director (ED) takes the lead in nurturing current relationships with foundations and developing new contacts, the Development/ Communications Coordinator will assist the ED in this task-which could include traveling to visit potential or current funders. When program officers of foundations come to Alaska for a site visit of ACAT's work, the Development/Communications Coordinator will facilitate ACAT's hosting activities which can include meetings in the ACAT Anchorage office, travel to constituent villages, or other activities of interest to the guests.

Assist Grantwriting Function:

ACAT has a full-time grant writer on staff, and the Executive Director writes the reports to funders. Although it will not be a major task for this position, the Development/Communications Coordinator will be called upon to write grant proposals or reports to funders from time-to-time.

Communications Tasks:

The Development/Communications Coordinator will work to raise the profile of ACAT to the public by facilitating the publications of newsletters, creating brochures, updating fact sheets, facilitating updates to our website to ensure it is an effective communications and fundraising tool. Although the ED maintains a working relationship with reporters from Alaska news media, the Development/ Communications Coordinator will assist the ED in this task-which includes issuing media and coordinating press conferences.

Qualifications:

• At least 1-year of proven successful experience with individual-giving programs, membership development, or major donor activities for non-profit organizations (We may consider successful experience with requesting money for political campaigns or direct sales in for-profit corporations.)
• A talent for rallying individuals to support ACAT's mission;
• Enthusiasm for the tasks of fundraising and a passion for the work of ACAT;
• Unflinching ability to appreciate diversity--especially those from other ethnic groups, different sexual preferences, persons of size, and a wide range of ages;
• Outstanding communications skills both written and speaking;
• Organized, but flexible, with a well-developed sense of humor;
• Self-starter with ability to work independently, lead a team, and work as part of a team;
• Ability to maintain an overview while dealing with details;
• Driver's license;
• Computer literacy with Word and the Internet, and the willingness to be trained to use SalesForce.com. (Desktop publishing skills and use of Excel spreadsheets highly desirable);
• Willingness to grow professionally;
• Commitment to observe the highest ethical standards of the fundraising and communications fields;
• Superb work references;
• College degree(s) or equivalent experience in journalism, English, sciences, social sciences, education, law, etc.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience writing grant proposals or business plans;
• Advanced college degree.

Compensation: Annual Salary: $40,000. Health insurance cost to employee $100 per month; generous sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; and payroll deductions for a (non-matching) retirement plan if desired. ACAT pays tuition for some university or training courses (approved by the ED) related to the employee's work. This is a full-time non-exempt position. ACAT staff enjoys flexibility in scheduling their work weeks.

To Apply:

Please submit a résumé and cover letter that describes in depth: 1) How you fit this job description, and 2) Why you would like to work at ACAT. Send your documents as email attachments in Word or PDF to Dr. Lorraine Eckstein, Research Anthropologist.

The position is open until filled. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks after you submit your application, please contact Lorraine Eckstein.

505 W. Northern Lights; Suite 205
Anchorage, AK 99503