Communication Specialist (Deciduous Forest Framework)

Position Title:  Deciduous Forest Framework (DFF) Communications Specialist

Position Summary:  The Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Research Institute, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is looking for a motivated individual to serve as the Communications Specialist for the new DFF. The DFF is an NRCS strategy to guide actions addressing natural resource conservation and management of regional and national significance within the Eastern Deciduous Forest biome. The purpose of the DFF Communications Specialist is to assist in growing and implementing the framework through strategic communications. This position represents a substantial opportunity to influence conservation delivery across a large landscape.

The emphasis will be on developing strategic communications campaigns, targeted messaging, and other communications to advance the scale, impact, and pace of the DFF. This will include generating content (news stories, press releases, social media posts, and articles) about conservation partnerships, habitat projects, voluntary landowner conservation initiatives, gatherings, and success stories; and delivering science and conservation products via digital and traditional outlets. The position is supervised by and will work closely with the DFF Coordinator and the Regional WLFW Coordinator. This is as four-year position with the potential for renewal beyond the initial term.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Helps to formulate strategic messaging and communications campaigns that advance the missions of the WLFW program and DFF.
• Creates news releases, website content, social media posts, and articles for internal/external publications, and drafts other communications as needed.
• Reviews and edits reports, proposals, and other publications stemming from work associated with the DFF.
• Advises and participates in drafting fact sheets, Best Management Practices, Science to Solutions pieces, sand other technical documents.
• Provides guidance on graphic design and technical parameters for all publications from the DFF.
• Works collaboratively with contractors managing and maintaining the Landscape Partnership Portal (https://www.landscapepartnership.org/) where all content produced will be cross-posted.
• Works with the WLFW leadership teams to source newsworthy stories and other content.
• Works closely with WLFW staff to create strategic and cohesive conservation messaging.
• Builds and manages relationships with journalists in his/her defined region to generate earned media coverage.
• Assesses newsworthy stories for value as internal content (journals, website, social media, etc.) and viability as a media pitch to garner external coverage for the organization’s brand, mission, and successes.
• Serves as an organizational spokesperson with the media, while coordinating interview opportunities for organization’s leaders and partners in their specific region
• Maintains/builds relationships with local/regional media, in addition to various outdoor writer associations.
• Maintains the highest code of conservation ethics.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• B.S. degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or natural resources field; and at least two years experience working in communications related to wildlife conservation or forestry.
• Excellent oral, public speaking, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a dynamic team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and hit deadlines.
• Familiarity with publication and graphic design software.
• Knowledge of forest and wildlife management strongly preferred.

Compensation:  Starting salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Range: $60,000-64,000

Reports to: Ron Rohrbaugh, DFF Coordinator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute

Location: This is a remote position based within the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute. Preferred locations for home offices include, PA, MD, VA, WV, and NY; however, other locations within the boundaries of the framework might be considered. Occasional travel, up to once per month, will be required.