About the Coalition

The Wildlife and Recreation Coalition is a non‐profit citizens group founded in a historic bipartisan effort by former Governors Dan Evans and Mike Lowry. With an annual budget of approximately $600,000 and a staff of eight, the Coalition ensures robust funding for Washington’s great outdoors by unifying disparate voices through education and advocacy. Throughout its 25-year history, the Coalition has successfully advocated for more than $1.3 billion for over 1200 projects through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Members consist of a diverse group of organizations representing conservation, business, recreation, hunting, fishing, farming and community interests. The breadth and diversity of the Coalition is the key to its success ‐‐ no one member could secure such a high level of funding for parks and habitat on its own. More information is available on our website at[[http:WildlifeRecreation.org|WildlifeRecreation.org]].

Position Description

The Communications & Marketing Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Coalition’s outreach, education, advocacy, and fundraising objectives through effective communications with diverse audiences, including journalists, elected and appointed officials, strategic partners, donors, and the general public.

Primary work products include press releases, letters to the editor, newsletters, direct mail and online fundraising appeals, marketing materials, one-pagers, website content, social media posts, and grant applications or reports.

This position reports to senior staff of the organization and works collaboratively across the Coalition with both the program and philanthropy teams. This person also has the primary responsibility for ensuring other staff members follow brand and style guidelines in all written communications.

Primary Duties

• Under direction of senior leadership, plan and implement public relations strategies to influence public opinion and improve public presence
• Manage portfolio of communication materials to ensure a unified, harmonized suite of different tools with which to communicate our message to a variety of audiences
• Maintain website and social media presence, and monitor growth in audience through available analytics
• Plan, write, edit, design, produce, and distribute monthly e-news, periodic print newsletters, annual report, and other collateral as needed
• Frame and message stories and draft, pitch, and secure coverage and placement of all media communications including: press releases, op-eds, editorials, feature stories, blogs, radio feeds, interviews, and articles in partner newsletters
• Assist policy and outreach staff in writing speeches and talking points, and preparing power point presentations for senior staff, board members, and elected officials
• Assist Philanthropy Director in writing grants and impact reports, direct mail, and online appeals as needed
• Assist lobbying team, including board members and other advocacy partners, with talking points and public testimony as needed
• Maintain photo library and take, or recruit volunteers to take, photos at all Coalition events (may include some travel to ribbon-cutting events, stakeholder meetings, etc)
• Maintain press list and build and maintain relationships with reporters and bloggers
• Answer press inquiries and support Executive Director and board members in responding to press inquiries
• Produce short annual fundraising event video and coordinate AV needs at events with venue staff

Qualifications

This position requires:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English, or a related field; and
• At least two years of professional experience in a position responsible for public relations, communications, marketing, or publications.

The successful applicant will also possess all or many of the following skills and experiences:

• Exceptionally strong writing skills in a broad range of styles, including advocacy and donor-centered communications
• Passion for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship
• Successful experience in a bi-partisan policy or advocacy organization
• Technical expertise in graphic design (Adobe InDesign), HTML, WordPress, Mail Chimp, and current social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram)
• Proficiency in Excel and Power Point
• Existing network and relationships with Washington state media outlets and reporters
• Experience using Salesforce or similar database management software
• Experience in market research, polling, focus groups, message and story development
• Experience with event planning, especially advertising and video production
• Knowledge of strategic planning and performance measurement tools and methods
• Willingness to pitch in and assist other staff in any way needed

Work Environment

This office is small, informal, collegial and fast-paced and therefore requires the ability to work both independently and in a team setting, to adapt to shifting priorities and deadlines, perform under pressure, and to be flexible and pitch-in as needed.

Compensation

Salary DOE. The Coalition offers a generous benefits package including health, dental and vision coverage, vacation, Flexible Spending Account and employer-matched retirement plan.