Communications Coordinator

Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) – Since 1988, ACT’s mission has been to protect the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida.  We accomplish our mission through land acquisitions, land management, and the development of land conservation initiatives and programs. As a nationally accredited nonprofit land trust, ACT works primarily in 22 counties, and protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements. Over the last 36 years, ACT has facilitated the preservation of over 60,000 acres of land in North Central Florida and has directly acquired over 27,000 acres.

Job Summary:The Communications Coordinator works to promote Alachua Conservation Trust to donors, community partners, the press, and the general public through outreach, marketing, events, and public relations. This includes creatively sharing ACT’s conservation work and uplifting stories of the people, communities, and nature across the North Central Florida region to build greater awareness about ACT’s critical conservation efforts. The ideal candidate will have exceptional writing and organizational skills, a strong working knowledge of journalism and/or written and visual communications, and a passion for promoting land and water conservation in Florida. The Communications Coordinator will generate media stories, press releases, op-eds, reports, and creative media products that promote ACT’s mission and work as well as drive discussions about conservation on the local, state, regional, and national levels. The Communications Coordinator will work closely with ACT’s staff to further the organization’s communications and outreach on a daily basis.

Responsibilities and Scope:

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Write and edit compelling press releases, op-eds, story pitches, social media and blog posts, reports, and other material for ACT and ACT’s programs.
• Lead and execute strategies that produce high-impact social media, print, web and broadcast media coverage of ACT’s projects, programs, events, and efforts. Track local, state, and national news that touches on the issues relevant to ACT’s mission and work and expand outreach efforts to incorporate ACT into the news cycle.
• Cultivate media relationships, pitch stories to reporters and editorial writers, and continually seek out new media opportunities.
• Expand and refine ACT’s existing communications materials, including the website, social media pages, and regular written and visual publications.
• Develop and implement a communications schedule for social media outreach.
• Network with diverse groups, including donors, the general public, landowners, conservation partners, and government officials to recruit support for ACT and publicize ACT’s work.
• Maintain communications with donors and potential donors in conjunction with the Executive Director and Development Coordinator to strengthen and deepen donor relationships through outreach and education.
• Organize communications strategy for capital campaign  with the Executive Director and Finance & Fundraising Committee.
• Implement/oversee the scheduling and organization of yearly functions including but not limited to: direct mail, newsletter distributions, and invitations to annual events.
• Provide information and assistance as needed in preparing grant applications. Serve as lead author of grant applications as directed by Executive Director and/or Executive Team.
• Expand the organization’s donor base and programs throughout the region and handle public relations for special events. 
• Assist with ACT in-person community and fundraising events as needed.
• Provide general program and administrative office support as needed.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with the ACT Executive Team.

Requirements:

• BA/BS degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or-related field and at least 2-years related experience in outreach for non-profits, public relations, journalism, or mass media communications.
• Exceptional writing ability. Please have a track record of producing clear, concise and compelling copy on tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Initiative. The ideal candidate keeps an eye out for opportunities, including breaking news in our issue areas, and develops tactics and strategies based on media relations expertise.
• Seasoned news judgment and solid understanding of journalism and/or communications.
• Strong interest in the work of land and water conservation in Florida.
• Must have enthusiasm for the organization’s conservation mission and be able to maintain strong, positive, collegial working relationships with staff and Board, as well as outside partners, professional advisors and consultants.
• Experience in researching, synthesizing and translating complex scientific, legal and regulatory concepts for a lay audience.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and multiple deadlines.
• Penchant for innovative approaches that reach new audiences at a wide variety of media outlets.
• Confident self-starter who also works well in a team environment.
• Passion for generating communications on critical conservation issues.
• Must be personable, relatable, and have enthusiasm for the mission of the organization.
• Strong social media story writing skills.
• Experience in grant writing and/or fundraising.
• Experience working with diverse groups of people in an educational and outreach capacity.
• Experience communicating effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including media, local landowners elected officials, and partners.
• Experience and capability of performing physical work.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Must be able available to work a 40-hour work week including occasional weekends and extended hours on weekdays.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications: 

• Experience managing multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources.
• Experience to independently complete tasks within assigned time frames.
• Experience developing and maintaining social media profiles for a non-profit and/or conservation entity.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office suite and Google Suite.
• Experience working with and utilizing Constant Contact or equivalent communications platforms. 
• Experience working with and utilizing eTapestry or equivalent donor database platforms. 
• Knowledge of the use of visual design software (i.e., Photoshop, Canva) a plus.
• Experience working with groups of people of all ages. 
• Experience with or ability to learn the Squarespace website platform.
• Strong administrative skills including attention to detail.
• Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.
• Knowledge of natural systems in Florida is a plus.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS:

• This is a full-time position.
• Starting pay is $21-$24/hr and will be based on experience.
• Two weeks (80 hours) paid vacation and two weeks (80 hours) sick leave.
• Paid time off for most Federal holidays plus three additional personal days off.
• Health insurance allowance plus a personal stipend for equipment or supplies.
• Enrollment in ACT’s SEP-IRA retirement plan after 180 days employment.
• Training and professional development opportunities

EQUITY & INCLUSION:

ACT is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to increasing equity, representation and inclusion in all elements of our work to support the intersection of land conservation and people in a diverse North Central Florida. ACT hires, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, marital status, religion, age, mental or physical disability, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, in addition to any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

No person shall, on the grounds of the above-mentioned categories, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of ACT. ACT recognizes that diversity on its staff and board strengthens the organization. ACT actively seeks qualified applicants for staff and board positions from members of under-represented groups in the non-profit and natural resources fields.