Communications Assistant

About Casey Trees

In pursuit of its mission to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital, Casey Trees (CT) delivers a broad base of programs and services to the DC Metro area. The organization plants more than 7,000 trees each year grown at our own nursery; cares and maintains those trees; conserves greenspace; conducts school and community-based youth STEM programming; and advocates for stronger policies and laws to preserve trees across the area. Casey Trees emphasizes innovative solutions and working with diverse partners to advance and promote tree canopy solutions that meet the needs of the communities that we serve.      

Summary 

The Communications Assistant produces multimedia content for the organization’s website, social media streams, newsletter, and marketing projects, as well as coordinating, facilitating, and managing community events throughout the year. The incumbent serves as a member of the Communications team, engaging internal and external stakeholders and ensuring communications and events promote Casey Trees’ mission of restoring, enhancing, and protecting the tree canopy of the nation’s capital and the surrounding jurisdictions.

Essential Functions:

The following functions are representative of the Communications Assistant including, but not limited to: 

• Produces visual content (videos, pictures, graphics, etc.) for various platforms (website, social media, etc.). This requires attending events, engaging stakeholders, and thinking creatively and proactively.
• Creates content copy and writes articles for the organization’s newsletter and online publications.
• Coordinates and runs community events and partner activities, including logistics, communications, marketing, and engaging volunteers.
• Creates and sends event and volunteer communications, including invitations, pre- and post-event emails, and emergency notifications. Also, responds to event inquiries.
• Completes administrative tasks related to communications and events, including data entry, reporting, reconciliation, maintaining office supplies and promotional materials, and processing and packaging online store orders.
• Captures on-site photos and videos at events and other organizational activities for promotional use and marketing.
• Creates and designs on-demand print and digital marketing collateral.
• Maintains Digital Asset Management (DAM) and photo/video repository, uploading, tagging, and organizing photo and video assets.
• Coordinates community outreach events, including tabling, door-knocking, and organizing with partners to further CT’s mission.
• Monitors organizational email inboxes, triages inquiries, and answers constituent questions.
• Other duties as assigned.    

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, plus relevant experience or education in multimedia communications, events coordination and logistics, or a similar/relevant field;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communication tools;
• Basic understanding of graphic design principles and software and willingness to learn new systems as needed;
• Creativity and ability to generate engaging content ideas;
• Basic photo and video editing skills;
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, and superior attention to detail;
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, willingness to sign CT’s driving policy;
• Customer service skills and professionalism when communicating with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Strong interpersonal skills, sense of humor, and ability to work well on a team;
• Excellent time management and punctuality.

Preferred Qualifications 

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent experience;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Experience with graphic design software/platforms, such as Canva or Adobe suite;
• Experience coordinating volunteer or community events;
• Experience in communications or marketing, with examples of marketing or design projects;
• Data-entry experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

The incumbent has no direct reports. 

Working Conditions

Work is performed both indoors (office, classrooms, rec centers) and outside year-round in the heat, cold and inclement weather, as necessary.  

The incumbent in this position typically uses the following equipment: 

• Computers, printers, copiers, smartphones, tablets, walkie-talkies, telephones
• Automobiles, trucks, vans
• Tree planting equipment such as: shovels, pickaxes, knives, stake drivers, buckets, wire cutters, containerized trees, hand pruners, etc.

Physical Demands:  

• All CT employees may engage in volunteer tree planting and related activities and events in outdoor environments. The incumbent may at times work outside, in the heat, cold and inclement weather and must have suitable clothing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to talk, hear, stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, lift files, open filing cabinets, bend or stand on a stool, etc.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, non-exempt position, averaging 40 hours a week. The incumbent often works on Saturdays, staffing community events, and must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed. This position requires and prioritizes in person components in CT’s office environment, in the field, and between CT sites.  

Travel

Travel is primarily local to the greater Washington, DC metro area including daily and overnight travel to Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, VA. Some out of the area travel and overnights may be expected.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Casey Trees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.