Communications Coordinator

Overview Communications Coordinator Position The Organization: Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC) is a statewide, non-profit farm and rural organization founded in 1985 to empower farmers and rural people. This goal is achieved through grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, collaboration and coalition building, grassroots fundraising and on-the-ground programs that meet the immediate needs of farmers and rural families. We believe that everyday people, working together, can be a powerful force for justice, and that organizing is the most effective means for engaging people to bring about big changes to improve their lives. Since 1993, MRCC has been organizing Patchwork Family Farms, an opportunity for Missouri hog producers to farm traditionally and independently, while maintaining a rural way of life and supporting our local economies. We do this by collectively marketing family-farm-raised pork to consumers (through retail sales, grocery stores and restaurants) in Missouri. Patchwork Family Farms works to create a family farm alternative to the industrialized food system, and create community involvement and dialogue around agriculture policy. The Mission of MRCC is to preserve family farms, promote stewardship of the land and environmental integrity and strive for economic and social justice by building unity and mutual understanding among diverse groups, both rural and urban. Position We’re looking for someone who’s eager to help develop, implement, and manage communication strategies for MRCC and Patchwork Family Farms. This position will work closely with all MRCC and Patchwork staff to ensure we’re lifting up the work we are doing, reaching new audiences, and getting our message out efficiently, effectively and equitably. The ideal candidate is an avid learner, driven, eternally optimistic, and flexible. They should be comfortable juggling multiple tasks, and thrive in a multifaceted team environment. Most of all, they should have a strong desire to help MRCC grow and position our members into leadership and spokesperson roles. A passion for making rural communities stronger, a sense of humor and a lack of ego are musts! As the Communications Coordinator, the main focus will be to develop and implement earned media strategies, creating and calendaring social media, building media relationships, coordinating press and event communications (press releases, email communications to members, etc.) and helping expand our overall brand recognition. The overall goal is to highlight our work that builds people-power and directly confronts corporate power to win concrete changes that make our communities more just and democratic – and make life better for a lot more people. The Communications Coordinator will work directly with staff leading the work for content ideas and area expertise. This is a salaried, exempt position starting at $45,000- $65,000, depending on number of years of experience and with room for advancement. The position is based out of our office in Columbia, MO. Typical work hours will be from M-F 9 AM-5 PM, with some evenings, weekends and travel. Benefits include full employer-paid health insurance (including dental and vision), paid time off, sick leave, paid holidays and retirement options with organizational match. Qualifications Ability to work well with everyday people from all walks of life & genuine curiosity about people Excellent strategic thinking and decision-making skills Strong written and oral communication, as well as editing skills with attention to detail Excellent computer and design skills (familiarity with social media platforms, ability to learn our other communications tools, Canva experience a plus) Ability to organize and work on multiple projects while working in a team setting Must have a car or have access to reliable transportation on a daily basis Punctual and prepared for meetings and other commitments Show a desire to work within a flexible schedule (including some evenings and weekends) Strong sense of ownership and resilience with respect to planning ahead, finding alternative paths when needed, and bouncing back from setbacks Clear, precise, compassionate, nonjudgmental communication and active listening skill Responsibilities Content creation: assist with newsletters/direct mailing, social media posts, website content and other communications materials, and draft, edit and distribute education materials Social Media Management: oversee social media platforms, optimize content for engagement and accessibility, brand promotion Learning MRCC and Patchwork Family Farms style organizing, methodologies, messaging and practices Develop and maintain relationships with media, members, allies, and more to support both internal communications and public relations Organize press releases, work with the team to plan and promote events, assist members with writing and placing letters to the editor and op-eds, as well as telling members’ stories in their own words, to raise broad public awareness of the stakes of our farm, food and rural healthcare policy positions Participation in fundraising event planning and implementation, and potentially donor outreach Equal Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer. MRCC celebrates diversity in all forms and aspects of our work. We welcome qualified people of all backgrounds and abilities to apply and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, or other non-job related factors protected by local, state, and/or federal law. #J-18808-Ljbffr ROME GROUP