See full job details at pugetsoundkeeper.org

Community Engagement Director

Puget Soundkeeper (Soundkeeper) seeks a dynamic, creative, motivated and experienced Community Engagement Director with proven leadership ability. This new position will work closely with Soundkeeper’s Executive Director (ED) and other staff to significantly grow Soundkeeper’s general community engagement and outreach while conducting community organizing around specific projects and policy goals. The Community Engagement Director will be called upon to represent Soundkeeper in a wide range of communications, outreach, movement-building, public speaking and organizing tasks. The position also entails event planning, coalition building, grassroots advocacy, media work and fundraising, with a focus on motivating and connecting people around a clear purpose. A cornerstone project for this new position will be a new True Sustainable Agriculture Project to promote the importance of local farmers doing the right thing for sustainable food production, while protecting water quality and salmon habitat. Experience with food systems, farming and/or sustainability topics is a plus, as well as organizing, project management, marketing and/or communications experience.

Puget Soundkeeper’s mission is to protect and preserve the waters of Puget Sound. Soundkeeper works to meaningfully decrease pollutants reaching the Sound by monitoring water quality, improving policies and regulations, preventing pollution and cleaning up our local waterways. The succesful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to this work and will be called upon to intelligently discuss Soundkeeper’s programs and to represent the organization through interactions with collaborating organizations, donors, contractors, vendors and public agencies. This position will require work at the Soundkeeper office, as well as work in the field and attendance at off-site meetings and events. The Community Engagement Director will need, or be able to arrange, regular reliable transportation for travel around the Puget Sound region. Required mileage and travel expenses are reimbursable. This is a full-time position with paid holidays, vacation, medical-dental insurance and an employee-funded 403(b) plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Complete development/design, launch and implementation of the True Sustainable Agriculture project based on initial project goals, expert advice and community input
  • Connect with community leaders, develop coalitions and recruit new partners, including farmers committed to sustainable practices
  • Conduct public speaking and general outreach events, as well as community listening sessions with diverse community groups
  • Organize and actively participate in coalitions working on a variety of issues pertaining to Puget Sound water quality
  • Research opinions and attitudes toward sustainability and environmental protection through surveys and/or focus groups
  • Research and develop communications and public relations plans around project priorities, working with external consultants as needed
  • Organize grassroots participation, steward volunteers
  • Oversee creation of compelling project materials and digital content
  • Plan and conduct events to promote Soundkeeper’s mission, project and advocacy goals
  • Track on project goals and grant reporting requirements
  • Assist with fundraising, stewardship and outreach events
  • Assist Executive Director with special projects
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications and Skills:

  • Proven leadership ability, comfort with public speaking and organizing for impact. Previous experience with grassroots organizing (five+ years strongly prefered)
  • Creative and motivated. Ability to think “outside the box” for maximum impact
  • Ability to connect with people across diverse backgrounds, interests, and ideologies
  • Independent self-starter who works well in an open, busy and collaborative work setting
  • Ability to follow through and complete projects with minimal supervision
  • Excellent writing ability and keen visual sense for creation of materials
  • Solid computer skills including expertise with standard office software packages
  • Excellent sense of prioritization, task management and a keen ability to discern when to handle matters directly and when to seek supervisor’s input
  • Minimum 2-4 years experience working in a professional office environment
  • Passionate about protecting the environment, water quality and local food systems
  • Willing to work some weekends and evenings as required for events

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

  • Four-year bachelor’s degree, advanced degree and/or equivalent work experience in a related field
  • Previous experience with nonprofit organizations (especially direct experience working with environmental protection/sustainable agriculture)
  • Management and supervisory experience
  • Familiarity with video, graphics and photo editing

Training and Supervision:

Initial on-the-job training will be provided to familiarize the successful candidate with existing protocols, projects and programs; however the Community Engagement Director will be expected to operate independently of direct supervision most of the time. This position will include collaboration with all members of the staff and many external partners. The Community Engagement Director reports to the Executive Director.

Compensation:

This full-time exempt position offers a competitive salary for similar non-profit organizations commensurate with experience. Benefits include 10 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, medical-dental insurance and an employee-funded 403(b) plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Puget Soundkeeper provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Applicant Information:

To apply for this position, please email your resume with a cover letter to psa@pugetsoundkeeper.orgor send them to 130 Nickerson Street, Ste 107, Seattle, WA 98109. Please use Community Engagement Director Position in the subject line or address. All resumes will be reviewed. Please no phone calls.

This position is open until filled.