Communications Associate

The California Wilderness Coalition (CWC) protects the landscapes that make California unique, providing clean air and water, a home to wildlife, and a place for recreation and spiritual renewal. Since 1976, CWC has been the only statewide organization in California dedicated to protecting California's last remaining wild places. We have field offices in Upland and Redding, CA. Our central office is in Oakland, CA.

CWC is committed to broadening our outreach in the community and reaching a broader audience of wilderness supporters. As such, the Communications Associate will assist in the development and implementation of a communications plan that will raise awareness of the importance of wilderness and assist CWC in diversifying our funding base through membership growth, expansion of our major donor program, board engagement, and compelling communication of our work.

Position Overview:

The Communications Associate will provide marketing and communication direction to enable CWC to accurately communicate its mission and goals. Working closely with the Executive Director, as well as senior staff, this position will be responsible for creating compelling content for marketing and fundraising materials, while ensuring consistency in branding and messaging.

The position has overall responsibility for CWC's strategic investment in expanding its outreach and visibility and will work with the Executive Director, Board and volunteers to develop and execute an annual communications plan.

The Communications Associate will be a key member of the Development team, and have expertise and skills in planning and implementing conservation communication strategies to address key conservation/wilderness issues. This includes a keen understanding of campaign and material development and production processes, strong writing and formative research skills, and a strategic approach to communication planning and implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Working with appropriate staff, and board volunteers, Communications Associate will manage the production of publications including the Wilderness Record, the Annual Report, and online communications (including organizational website as well as all social media sites);
• Manage and Develop all electronic stakeholder media;
• Review and provide comment and direction on all promotional materials to ensure consistent messaging;
• Oversight of external communications and promotional pieces; develop graphics and audio visual promotional pieces; maintain regional slide/photo library.
• Coordinate and schedule Press conferences, Press releases and other media and outreach events (e.g. wilderness hikes, outings, presentations and tabling events).

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years experience in nonprofit communications, marketing and fundraising;
• Commitment to CWC's mission and providing top quality service to our members and donors;
• Strong writing, graphic design, media outreach, and web content production and management skills;
• Understanding of and experience with web and email communications tools;
• Experience with new media technologies, such as blogs, twitter, and online social marketing;
• Strong computer literacy is essential: Mac and PC; MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point); SalesForce (or similar database); Adobe (Photoshop, Contribute); or other Content Management System.
• Excellent communication interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively work with a variety of people and personalities;
• Ability to communicate clearly in person and in writing;
• Experience in organizing events, and working with boards and volunteers;
• The ability to think both abstractly and concretely, including comfort with ambiguity while still accomplishing meaningful results;
• The ability to condense complicated issues to simple summaries that can be understood by a variety of constituents;
• Demonstrated excellence in proof-reading and document production;
• Experience accomplishing goals within a timeframe and within budget, which may include managing consultants and vendors;
• High energy, positive, "can-do" attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative;
• Bilingual in Spanish, a plus.

Compensation: Salary is in the $36k-$40k range dependent upon experience. CWC offers a comprehensive benefits package including full medical, dental and vision, generous holiday and vacation. Please be advised that travel throughout California is required for this position.

To Apply:

To apply please email a resume, cover letter and a 3 page writing sample (relevant to a conservation campaign). Please write "Communications Associate" in the subject line of the email. Applications are due by July 1st.

CWC values a diverse workforce. We encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.