Communications Associate – Albany, New York

Organization: Environmental Advocates of New York

Job Title: Communications Associate

Location: Albany, New York

Hours and Compensation: full time; salary commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: Jan 18, 2013

Position Dates: Start Jan 21, 2013

Posted On: Jan 9, 2013

Organization Overview

As the state’s premier environmental watchdog, Environmental Advocates of NY works independently and through coalitions to ensure that New York enacts and implements the measures needed to protect its natural resources and environmental health; and that the public is informed of, and participates in, important environmental policy debates.

Environmental Advocates is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with over 7,000 individual members and 130 organizational members. It is the New York State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

Description

The Communications Associate is a full-time non-exempt salaried staff person based in Albany who reports to the Communications Director. The ideal candidate is strategy-oriented, and will assist the Communications Director in setting the organization’s overall communications agenda and ensuring the consistency of our messaging across several platforms, including internal and external publications, media outreach, website maintenance, and direct and online outreach to the organization’s 10,000+ person membership.

The Communications Associate is responsible for the design, layout, and distribution of print and electronic publications for the organization’s membership base, policy makers, donors, allied groups, and other audiences. This position helps maintain a robust online presence, which includes our website, regular email communications by means of the Convio marketing and membership platform, and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. In addition, because Environmental Advocates undertakes significant coalition building, the Communications Associate is also responsible for helping to develop and implement paid and earned media campaigns for the benefit of the broader environmental community.

Responsibilities

Membership Communications

• Assist in managing online membership network using Convio platform
• Coordinate targeted distribution of action alerts, event announcements, fundraising appeals, and legislative bill memos
• Help manage database of membership contacts

Publications & Materials

• Layout and design online and print newsletters, reports, membership materials, brochures, invitations, letterhead, envelopes, issue flyers, postcards, and more
• Coordinate print bids and schedules; manage external vendors

Online Presence & Social Networking

• Manage and update online presence and social networking sites
• Develop and implement new media strategy utilizing existing and emerging platforms

Media Outreach

• Build and maintain media contact lists
• Organize press conferences and other media events
• Collect daily media clips and maintain long-term archives

Data Collection & Quality Oversight

• Provide monthly reports on advocacy efforts and ways in which communications efforts can be more targeted and effective
• Critically copyedit, proofread, and revise written communications
• Prepare briefing memos as needed

Qualifications

• Commitment to environmental conservation and holding state government accountable
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant years of experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with minimal direction, as well as work collaboratively with fellow staff and partner organizations
• Graphic design experience (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Technical experience with online marketing and member outreach platforms (Salsa, Get Active, Convio), website development (Dreamweaver), video editing software (iMovie), and content management systems (Joomla), or similar softwares
• Experience with HTML and CSS preferred
• Experience with Excel and Access preferred
• Experience with community organizing, social and new media (including video and audio) strategy, and an understanding of New YorkState politics appreciated

How to Apply

Send resume, two writing samples (or one writing sample and one design sample), three references, and a cover letter indicating interest to:

Communications Director

Environmental Advocates of New York

353 Hamilton Street

Albany, NY12210

[email protected]

Materials should be received by January 18. No telephone calls, please. EOE.