Community Relations Director

Founded in 1990, North Olympic Land Trust is a non-profit conserving the land and natural resources that continue to be the foundation of our culture, economy, and way of life on the North Olympic Peninsula. The Land Trust is dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities. We strive to conserve the farms, fish and forests that improve our community.

Position Summary
Based in Port Angeles, the Community Relations Director is a permanent, full-time, non-exempt position that oversees the planning and implementation of the Land Trust’s community engagement and communications activities.

The Community Relations Director reports to the Executive Director. The position requires a highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented individual eager to contribute and excel in a collaborative work environment. For much of the year, we have found that the position works well with a Tuesday – Saturday schedule.

This position has two overarching focuses:
1. To promote and foster our community’s land ethic and pride of place, and
2. To engage community members in the story of local land conservation, highlighting their role in creating a positive future for our social and natural environments.

Specifically, the position will have overall accountability for:

• building the Land Trust’s image, overarching themes, brand, and messaging,
• Land Trust communication materials, including the webpage, social media presence, media relations, monthly digital and bi-annual printed newsletters, interpretive signage at key conservation sites, and items for specific campaigns and events,
• conceptualizing, designing, planning, and leading current and potential community and fundraising events/activities such as Conservation Breakfast, Harvest Celebration, and the Land Trust Family Picnic,
• the Land Trust community calendar and activities for engagement,
• strengthening the Land Trust’s community relationships and building partnerships with targeted local community groups and leaders,
• creating authentic experiences to connect the community to local lands,
• creating forums and opportunities for community members to engage with and help define local conservation efforts for our evolving future, especially in light of impacts from projected climate change,
• fostering and systematizing the volunteer program,
• working with the Development Director and Administrative Assistant to coordinate mass mailings and email distribution of newsletters, gift solicitations, and invitations,
• tracking the impact of community engagement,
• attending trainings and conferences relevant to the position, and
• Special projects as directed.

Qualifications

• Passion for the mission of North Olympic Land Trust and for the lands and communities it serves,
• Over 4 years of experience, with a proven track record in building relationships between an organization’s mission and its community,
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field,
• Stellar written, visual, and oral communications skills with the ability to craft and tell the story of local land conservation in a manner that engages the community,
• Strong knowledge and practice in community needs assessment, communications strategy, social and traditional media, website administration, and event planning,
• Ability to effectively work independently and in close collaboration with Land Trust staff, volunteers, board members, committees, and the general public,
• Ability to work well in a small office/team atmosphere,
• Desire and demonstrated ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps; to learn on the job; and to cultivate sources of knowledge, expertise, and skill,
• Background in nonprofit fundraising preferable,
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM databases,
• Familiarity with Mailchimp or other mass marketing email programs, and
• Ability and willingness to occasionally work non-standard hours for Land Trust events, including evenings and weekends.

Physical Work Requirements
The working environment of the Community Relations Director is primarily in an office setting. However, the position regularly travels to off-site locations to attend meetings and other job-related activities. Office duties are often sedentary and require the ability to operate general office equipment.