Community Engagement Manager

Position Title: HRI Community Engagement Manager (HRI CEM) 

Reports to: HRI Program Director

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling; working approximately 2 weekends a month, occasional evenings, and approximately four to six multi-day, field-based hemlock treatment work trips from October through April each year.

Compensation: Starting rate of $22/hour, with adjustments based on experience; paid time off and holidays; generous wellness stipend; reimbursements for mileage and travel expenses 

Program Description: The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) is a grant-funded program managed by WNC Communities’ Forestry Education LLC. HRI’s mission is to work with a variety of partners and existing programs to restore hemlocks to long-term health throughout North Carolina and ensure that eastern and Carolina hemlocks can resist hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and survive to maturity on North Carolina’s public and private lands. This is accomplished through establishing hemlock conservation areas (HCAs), implementing chemical and biological control of HWA, supporting the restoration efforts of partner agencies, and educating private landowners and others on the importance of hemlocks and how they can help conserve hemlocks on their own properties or as volunteers on larger public lands projects. 

Summary of Position: The HRI CEM will work closely and collaborate with the HRI Program Director and other staff members. The CEM will connect with community members across Western North Carolina (WNC) on behalf of HRI, including HRI volunteers, donors, and landowners in a variety of ways. They will lead our volunteer engagement program by recruiting volunteers, planning and leading volunteer days, and managing a volunteer appreciation program. They will build and maintain strong relationships with program stakeholders to increase their involvement. The HRI CEM will manage HRI’s social media platforms and oversee other marketing efforts. They will work with the HRI Educational Outreach Manager to educate and empower more community members and groups to participate in hemlock conservation. There will be significant face-to-face interaction through outreach activities, which will include educational presentations, trainings, demonstrations, hikes, tabling events, and volunteer days. Finally, the HRI CEM will occasionally join the HRI Forestry Crew in our Hemlock Conservation Areas, which are both front- and backcountry areas across WNC, to perform hemlock management when needed, and as a means of better understanding and communicating the value of the work performed by the HRI program.     

A successful Community Engagement Manager will believe in the program’s mission, embrace a positive, collegial culture, and relish being part of a small, evolving team during a time of institutional growth. They will be outgoing, enjoy connecting with new people from various backgrounds in a variety of settings, be comfortable working in the woods, and be able to work an irregular weekly schedule. This position is an excellent opportunity to be a member of a dynamic team, play an influential role in addressing an important forest health issue, and be part of the extensive conservation community within WNC and the Southern Appalachians. Within this position, there is the potential to influence program development and acquire increased leadership responsibilities over time.

Work Environment: HRI’s office is located in Asheville, NC. The position will be primarily in-person; however, HRI embraces a flexible working environment, with the potential to work some hours remotely and create a work schedule that accommodates individual staff members’ needs and preferences. In addition to office work, there will be outdoor work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to staffing booths at tabling events, leading guided walks or hikes on trails, or participating in HWA management activities, including the use of pesticides, in off-trail forested areas.

Duties and Responsibilities (job activities include but are not limited to): 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage HRI’s volunteer engagement program by recruiting volunteers, planning and leading volunteer workdays in collaboration with the forestry crew leader for HWA management activities, and coordinating a volunteer appreciation program
• Facilitate educational outreach events for various public audiences, including but not limited to: presentations (indoor and outdoor), 6-10 hikes a year, HWA management workshops, and tabling events
• Provide accurate, useful, up-to-date information about hemlocks, their importance to our ecosystems and economy, and what can be done to keep them healthy
• Develop and implement innovative and creative content across all communication platforms, including website, social media, press releases, promotional products, and collateral materials
• Promote upcoming events via social media, email lists, and event calendars, and manage registrations
• Accept phone calls and emails from the general public, fielding general inquiries and answering or delegating to appropriate staff
• Collect, process, and summarize event feedback and maintain outreach and volunteer tracking documents
• Collect, synthesize, and apply social/web analytics to create effective strategies and campaigns
• Learn how to operate Salesforce in order to manage our contacts database
• Have, or be willing to obtain, a North Carolina Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license *If you do not currently have a North Carolina Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license, you must obtain one within the first month of employment with HRI. Testing (and classes) for certification will be available in Mills River, NC October 21st -22nd, 2026. (Additional details to be provided.) HRI offers reimbursement for up to $115 in pesticide exam fees, as well as annual license fee.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Implement hemlock management strategies along with the HRI Forestry Crew on Western North Carolina public and private lands, involving off-trail navigation, pesticide use, 10+ hour days, and occasional multi-night overnight travel
• Assist with the creation of HRI’s biannual newsletter, including writing articles and formatting
• Edit and provide feedback on materials created by other team members
• Work with HRI Director to engage with donors by building and maintaining strong relationships to increase their engagement and financial support for the HRI program, sending out donor acknowledgement letters, and building our program’s donor ask procedures
• Assist with grant research, writing, reporting, and analysis on occasion

Many of the above responsibilities will be additionally supported by other staff members. 

Position Requirements: 

• 1-3 years relevant professional experience or education, or a combination of both
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated proficiency with Google Workspace platform, Microsoft Office, and other basic PC software
• Experience with or a willingness and ability to learn (with training) WordPress website administration and content management, Salesforce CRM, graphic design, video production and editing software (such as Adobe Creative Cloud products), social media platforms (such as Facebook and Instagram), and other online communications platforms
• Ability to work on a computer in a group office setting for up to 8 hours a day
• Ability to stand or sit for multiple hours in an outdoor festival-type setting (such as when tabling at an event)
• Ability and willingness to walk on uneven terrain, on- and off-trail for up to 8 miles, carrying up to 45 pounds of personal and group gear, with elevation gain and loss, in a variety of environmental conditions
• Ability and willingness to stoop, bend, sit on ground, sleep in a tent, and spend the day and occasional nights away from facilities, etc.
• Ability and willingness to work up to two weekends per month
• Local (WNC) travel required (mileage reimbursement provided)
• Interest in environmental stewardship and Western North Carolina flora and fauna
• Knowledge of, or ability and willingness to learn in a self-guided setting, about hemlock ecology, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), and hemlock management strategies

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills and competencies: 

• Affinity for working with people; should be engaging, personable, and have a desire to connect with/interact with a wide range of individuals and cultures in a variety of settings
• Interest in being creative in outreach and marketing materials
• A personal and professional style that maintains good will, collegiality, and trust with all partners, staff, and key community stakeholders
• An astute attention to detail and commitment to quality and excellence in every area of work
• Strong organizational, project and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, both internally and externally
• Have a passion for the outdoors and environmental education
• Ability to hold self and others accountable to outcomes and deadlines
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment, be flexible, change directions, and anticipate future needs
• Experience providing public relations, social media, or communications support for non-profit organizations or similar small businesses
• Experience in public speaking, education, community organizing, and event planning
• Ability and willingness to spend up to 3 nights away from home up to two times per month in a variety of settings (sometimes camping or in unfurnished cabins) while working 10+ hour days in the field
• Experience in grant proposal writing and knowledge of grant application and reporting processes
• Knowledge of trends and best practices in marketing and public relations and an understanding of how to analyze and evaluate the impact of the communication strategies applied
• Familiarity with tools for reporting and tracking impact, including social media analytics, Google Analytics, Salesforce, and Excel

Non-discrimination Hiring Statement: 

WNC Communities’ Forestry Education LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions shall be consistent with the principles of equal opportunity employment. Accommodations to enable all individuals to participate in the application process may be provided upon advance request. People with diverse skills and experience and individuals who identify with groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry are encouraged to apply.