Communications Specialist – Part-Time

Do you want to help more people see the connection between land conservation, stewardship, forest condition, climate change, land justice, human health, biodiversity, and other issues directly impacting our world? You could be part of the solution, helping to reach broader audiences with compelling stories about our regional conservation, ecological research, and land stewardship work.

Highstead Foundation seeks a strategic-minded, deadline-oriented Communications Specialist with 3- 5 years of experience to help build a vibrant community of conservation-minded people in New England.

About Highstead

Highstead is a regional non-profit conservation organization dedicated to inspiring curiosity and building knowledge about plants and wooded landscapes in order to enhance life, preserve nature, and advance sound stewardship practices. Our mission is reflected in the three core areas of the organization: regional conservation, ecological research, and land stewardship & ecological landscaping. We envision a healthier, more livable world for all by working with our partners to responsibly conserve the land that sustains us and to steward our natural spaces, resources, and communities thoughtfully and inclusively. Highstead is undergoing a journey to become a more diverse, equitable, and just organization, and our Communications Specialist will be invited to participate in this work with us. 

The Role

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for working as part of a small team planning, writing, and editing content for web, print, and social platforms. The Communications Specialist will also collaborate with staff and partners on highlighting and translating important ecological work and supporting initiatives that seek to advance the pace and practice of large landscape conservation in the region

This is a hybrid position working 24 hours per week (1 day in the office in Redding). The Communications Specialist will report to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• 3-5 years of experience managing and developing internal and external communications
• Impeccable writing, editing, planning, and proofreading skills
• Experience planning, creating, executing, and measuring the effectiveness of website posts, electronic newsletters, and social media campaigns
• Ability to translate complex information into relevant and understandable language for various audiences
• A demonstrated interest and knowledge of conservation and ecology
• Expertise in providing oversight and direction in the development of strategy, themes, goals, and messaging for events and initiatives
• Competency in evaluating and improving current processes for content management and collaborative workflow
• Experience in graphic design and a solid understanding of graphic design principles
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office, Photoshop, and/or Canva and working knowledge of communication and social media tools. Video editing is a plus.

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in communications and writing or a related field or have equivalent experience. Experience in a non-profit or conservation-related organization is preferred.