Director of Communication

Genesee Valley Conservancy is seeking an individual to oversee the organization’s outreach and communication with supporters and the public: working with each of our departments to maintain consistent branding while leading efforts to communicate our work.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful and well-established organization as it continues to expand. This position will afford leadership opportunities within the organization, collaborative teamwork with a passionate staff and meaningful impact on the organization’s connections, awareness, and programs that will directly accelerate our reach and success as an organization dedicated to serving the community.

Overview

The Director of Communication will head all branding and outreach materials across the organization to ensure consistency, desired messaging and regular outreach to the community.

This person will help the organization raise and maintain awareness of our work, create compelling marketing pieces for targeted and general outreach efforts, and advance the work of all departments by helping them reach their desired audiences.

Responsibilities

General Communication (30%)

Work with the Executive Director to formalize and execute an ongoing outreach plan to communicate with supporters and the community at large:

• Organize and oversee communication activities of the organization to keep in regular contact with supporters, partners, and the community at large, including:

Physical

• • Newsletter (quarterly)
  • Press releases (project closings, events, general stories)

Digital

• • Website updates and maintenance
  • Emails (monthly)
• Organize and maintain communication calendar for the organization
• Establish measurable goals to monitor outreach efforts
• Analyze data to track progress and modify efforts to increase success
• Lead and support events without fundraising goals (bluebell hike) as general awareness and friend-raiser events.

Development (35%)

Support development staff by assisting with development campaigns and events aimed at raising funds to support the organization’s work:

Campaigns

• Annual appeal
• Legacy giving
• Major gifts
• Monthly giving
• New donors
• Internships

Events

• Quiz Night
• Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K
• Annual supporter gathering
• Special ‘one-time’ campaign specific events

Acquisitions (10%)

Support acquisitions staff by assisting with public facing events that bring awareness to the organization’s programs with the aim of building connections with partners and landowners to facilitate future conservation efforts:

• Genesee Valley Landowner Workshops
• Genesee Valley Agricultural Tour
• Conservation program workshops (farmland protection, forestland protection)

Stewardship (10%)

Support stewardship staff by assisting with public facing events surrounding volunteer opportunities on nature preserves, introducing the community to accessible lands and building ongoing relationships with conservation easement landowners:

• Annual conservation easement landowner newsletter
• Volunteer events
• Volunteer recruitment (for long-term and one-time needs)

Administrative (5%)

This position will assist other areas of the organization, including:

• • Preparing for and attending Board and committee meetings
  • Acquisition and stewardship duties (ex. nature preserve workdays, property tours)
  • Office assistance

Other

All work will be completed in accordance with the Employee Handbook, relevant organizational policies and procedures, and up to the standards of Land Trust Standards and Practices and the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Required Qualifications

• • Excellent interpersonal skills including writing, email, phone, and in-person communication
  • Knowledge of computers, cameras, website management and email marketing; specifically knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat, and Canva
  • Organized with attention to detail
  • Ability to have a flexible schedule and willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends
  • Must have valid NYS driver’s license and reliable transportation to be used during work

Preferred Qualifications

• • Four or more years in the communication field
  • Experience in the non-profit sector
  • Experience with cloud-based software: Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excell, Sharepoint), Constant Contact, Monday.com, Facebook, Instagram
  • Basic to intermediate knowledge of photography and videography
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a communication related field
  • Environmental and/or agricultural background
  • Experience with land conservancies and Genesee Valley Conservancy, Inc.
  • Living within the Genesee River watershed

Location: This position is based out of Geneseo and will require occasional travel throughout the Genesee Valley region (counties of Livingston, Wyoming, Ontario, Monroe, Steuben, Allegany, Genesee, and Erie). Remote work possible part-time after a probationary period.

Supervisor: Executive Director

Oversees: Temporary staff and volunteers (as needed)

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (non-exempt position)

Starting Benefits:

• • Salary: $50-65k, based on related experience and qualifications
  • 80 hrs paid vacation + ongoing accrual at 1hr per 26 worked, nine paid holidays, 40 hours NYS Sick Time upon hire
  • $5,000 towards a company health plan
  • 3% match to company Simple IRA
  • Mileage reimbursed at Federal rate
  • $2,000 stipend for training opportunities via webinars and in-person State and national conferences as desired

Conditions of Employment: The Employee Handbook[1] lists all policies, procedures, benefits, and working conditions to be followed as a condition of employment.

Start Date: Position is open until filled. Ideal start: February 23

Application Review: Begins August 17. Applications received before August 17 are assured full consideration.

TO APPLY

Send a cover letter, resume, and sample portfolio* to: View email address on click.appcast.io

• Portfolio: Please only send 3 to 5 items, with brief explanations as to your involvement.

Preference is to demonstrate skills such as press release, social media, e-mail marketing, design, layout, photography/video. Any brief explanation to gap/s in your professional experience of these skills is also welcome. Please upload your portfolio submission and explanations to Drop Box at the link below.Name your upload/s starting with your last name:

[1] Employee Handbook will be made available upon request which has employment details.