Job DescriptionJob Description
Communications Lead
Classification: Reports to:
Non-exempt Associate Director
32 hours per week
Organization
Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has worked with our community for over 36 years to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley and beyond. Our work improves the land, climate, water, and biodiversity—the foundation of our region’s high quality of life.
Each year, we provide in-depth environmental science instruction to over 1,100 students, manage over 5,000 acres of public and private land, including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, raise thousands of native plants, restore native habitat, and provide research and technical support on timely issues affecting the region. With an annual budget of over $3 million, our professional staff manages numerous large grants and contracts, often in partnership with other nonprofits and agencies that, by working together, significantly leverage our work and impact.
Position Summary:
SEC seeks an experienced Communications Lead to play a critical role in ensuring the organization achieves its plans for growth in alignment with its mission, vision, and values. The Communications Lead is responsible for marketing all of Sonoma Ecology Center’s events and programs, managing the organization’s suite of websites, and collaborating with the organization’s staff and partners to ensure strategic communications alignment. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders. The candidate should be highly organized and detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a small, close-knit team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. The position will report to the Associate Director and work closely with the Development Manager, Executive Director, and Program Managers across the organization.
This role is mostly remote, with the expectation that the Communications Lead have a reliable means of transportation and be available for special events on an as-needed basis, approximately 1-2 working days per month. The candidate must be able to travel to Sonoma Ecology Center’s locations that we manage, including Sonoma Garden Park, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, and other event venues such as Montini Open Space Preserve, Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve, etc,… For the full list of locations we manage, please see our website under “Visit Us.” The candidate must also have a reliable means of phone and internet access.
General Marketing & Communications
Promote and protect the integrity of the voice and brand of the Sonoma Ecology Center
Build alignment and identify brand ambassadors across staff and the SEC board of directors
Manage all content (written, multimedia) and its related publication schedules across platforms (email marketing, social media, website) according to SEC’s Communications Calendar, in alignment with an annual Communications Plan and annual Development Plan
Work with staff to ensure messages are communicated accurately and consistently to all external audiences
Work with Staff Writer and Community Engagement Team to implement an annual strategic communication and marketing plan to promote SEC resources, research, publications, public awareness, current community affairs, and advocacy efforts
Work with staff to ensure messages are communicated accurately and consistently to all external audiences
Contribute to corporate/partner engagement and content development in collaboration with key staff members within SEC (Annual Fund, Annual Report, and seasonal appeals)
Ensure that all content is culturally sensitive and designed to reach diverse audiences and speak to all of our community members
Manage website content, including coming up with ways to effectively store and distribute Sonoma Ecology Center’s research and outside land management resources
Support media relations, including developing press contacts, identifying news opportunities, pitching stories, and coordinating interviews
Develop communications and fundraising strategies that will broaden programmatic reach and deepen awareness, leading to broader financial impact
Act as liaison between our work and our audience; effectively translating program verbiage and scientific data into relatable language for donor communications and expanding our audience base
Ensures SEC’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is operationalized in our communications plan, and SEC communications are culturally sensitive and designed to reach diverse audiences and speak to all our community members
Manage all of Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Garden Park, and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park’s media assets, ensuring organized and easy access to media
Content Creation & Writing
Write event copies; ensure website, calendars, and events are up to date.
Write short and longform copy for blog articles, email marketing campaigns, press releases, newspaper articles, and webpages
Provide strategic oversight and leadership in developing and implementing social media campaigns
Via the social media channels, develop collaborations, reinforce partnerships, and strengthen bonds with other organizations to advance our mission and values
Be responsible for daily content creation across social media channels, strategically aligned with campaign and content calendars
Grow social media channels (Facebook, Instagram) through interactive, engaging video content that highlights the organization’s work and shares knowledge
Produce quarterly reports on social media engagement with analysis and recommendations
Qualifications:
Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the role. Normally, this would include graduation from a college or university with coursework in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Environmental Science, Political Science, or other related fields, and three years of experience with environmental issues or in Communications and Marketing for other nonprofits
Working knowledge of local environmental issues and a commitment to our mission.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must: Select candidates will be required to submit portfolio materials (portfolio materials could include but are not limited to: email marketing campaigns, long form articles, academic writing samples, infographics, print marketing materials, social media ads, social media video reels)
Graphic design and multimedia content creation skills
Must be a confident public speaker; comfortable speaking to reporters, being interviewed on the radio, and at public events such as “tabling” on behalf of the organization
Strong attention to detail and proofreading skills (AP writing style and standards are a plus)
Ability to turn dense project information into easily digestible messaging for diverse audiences
Proven results in implementing marketing and communications strategic plans
Familiarity with using website creation and management platforms, such as WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify
Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while managing deadlines
Professionalism with colleagues, the public, and vendors, is a must
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply
Reading, speaking, and writing skills in Spanish is a big plus
Physical Requirements
This is a traditional office job that requires sitting, typing, standing, and being at a computer workstation for lengthy periods of time. One must be able to use office equipment (including, but not limited to, a computer, phone, and printer/copier) and computer systems to fulfill the essential functions of the position.
Benefits:
The employee is eligible for one of two health plans on the first day of the month after hire. For these plans, SEC pays 80% of the monthly premium. (Dependents and Spouses are eligible, but SEC does not contribute to the full premium.) Part-time employees must maintain an average of 20 hours or more per week to qualify for this benefit. Please contact Human Resources for a complete description of the available health plans. Other benefits include seven scheduled paid holidays plus an additional three floating holidays. We offer an Employee Assistance Program, a self-funded TIAA 503(b) plan, and an optional cell phone plan.
Sonoma Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration and will have equal access to programs, services, and employment opportunities. People with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders are encouraged to apply. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations to the application and/or interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.
To Apply:
Please include your resume, cover letter, three references, and portfolio samples, preferably in one PDF.
No phone calls, please. For more information about the Sonoma Ecology Center, please visit www.sonomaecologycenter.org.
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