Organization: Sustainable Connections, www.SustainableConnections.org

Title: Food & Farming/Communications Assistant

Location: Bellingham, WA Term: Full time, permanent, non-exempt

Reports to: Food & Farming Manager and Communications Manager Application Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2016

Summary

Join Sustainable Connections, an entrepreneurial non-profit organization that works with dozens of partner organizations and over 2000 businesses a year to transform and model an economy built on sustainable business practices. Provide your exceptional outreach and communications skills to support a community of business innovators in green building, local food, sustainable practices, supporting independent businesses, and mentoring a new breed of entrepreneurs that have designed their business with a sustainable vision. Sustainable Connections is a rapidly growing, results-oriented, small team workplace located in downtown Bellingham.

The Food & Farming/Communications Assistant reports to the Communications and Food & Farming Program Managers, works closely with the Food & Farming Outreach Assistant, and is responsible for supporting the work of our various programs, with a focus on communications and facilitation. This position will take the lead on facilitation/coordination of our partner group, the Whatcom Food Network (25%) and assist with program newsletters and publications, website updates, social media, Food & Farming Program outreach, in-person communication with members & other program participants, event support, and other duties as needed (75%).

The ideal candidate will be passionate about food and farming, have a sharp eye for detail and a well-worn copy of Elements of Style, and be enthusiastic about sharing the work of Sustainable Connections throughout the region.

Essential Responsibilities

Communications Support

• Support e-mail newsletters for all programs (currently using Constant Contact). May include editing content, creating templates, ensuring cross-promotion of events, coordinating e-mail schedules, etc.
• Create presentations for other staff members to present at events when needed
• Write and distribute press releases and media toolkits to garner media attention for our events and programs
• Manage and increase Sustainable Connections’ presence on social media websites
• General communications support including but not limited to updating annual event materials, writing copy, proofing prepress materials, and coordinating components of annual publications
• Post event information to our website as well as third party websites and local reader boards
• One of primary staff to answer general phone line and greet visitors to office as available

Food & Farming Program Support

• Support Outreach & Logistics for Food & Farming Program events as possible: e.g. Eat Local Month, Whatcom County Farm Tour, Chef Farm Tours
• Collect best practice stories and content for case study creation for Food & Farming Program and Eat Local First as needed
• Support outreach and listings for the Whatcom Food & Farm Finder and Culinary Agritourism Map
• Lead on Food & Farming Constant Contact e-mail creation and social media content
• Other related duties as assigned—We expect this position will grow and evolve over time

Whatcom Food Network

• Facilitation and admin support for the Whatcom Food Network (WFN)
• Attend & coordinate planning and steering committee meetings (agendas, facilitation, minutes)
• Provide leadership for organizing the WFN Forums and other events
• Monitor Action Groups; provide succinct reports to Steering Committee on Action Group activities and post on website
• Coordinate communications and outreach, website updates, newsletters, social media, etc. for WFN
• Work closely with Planning Committee to help coordinate projects and group goals moving forward

Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate has:

• Great passion for the mission of Sustainable Connections
• Excellent writing, proofing, and communications skills, and the ability to represent Sustainable Connections in a professional manner with diverse constituencies
• Experience and/or education in food-based businesses/sustainable food systems and communications preferred (including writing articles, newsletters, updating websites, etc.)
• Strong facilitation and organizational skills
• Proven competence to assess priorities, manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment, and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to work proactively and independently; excels in an open office environment
• Has excellent inter-personal skills and an energy that attracts others; seeks to find and recognize the best in others and works well in teams (we have a great team!)
• Basic working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Constant Contact, and social media sites preferred
• Video production or photography experience a bonus

Compensation

This is a full-time, non-exempt, permanent position, to be compensated between $14-17 hourly depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits include starting with 16 days paid time off/year plus a 6 day holiday break from Dec. 25-Jan 1, and an individual benefit. Additional benefits include a great office space, fun and supportive coworkers, a flexible working schedule, and the opportunity to help lead a nationally recognized local business network!

Sustainable Connections complies with all federal, state, and local laws which prohibit discrimination in employment.

Sustainable Connections is an equal opportunity employer that believes it is the responsibility of the company and all its employees to ensure there is no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, genetic information, or any other protected status.