Job Description
INTERESTED CANDIDATES SHOULD E-MAIL A RESUME, COVER LETTER, WRITING SAMPLE, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES TO ECOJOB@SAVETHESOUND.ORG WITH THE WORDS “ECOLOGICAL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN USING YOUR VOICE AND CREATIVITY FOR THE RESTORATION OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE? SAVE THE SOUND IS LOOKING FOR A CURIOUS AND INVENTIVE STORYTELLER TO JOIN THE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION TEAM. The Ecological Communications Specialist has the unique challenge of translating the technical work of ecological restoration for the general public and a broad range of other audiences. This role will report to the Assistant Director of Ecological Restoration, and work closely with the restoration and communications teams to implement a strategy and an artistic vision for communicating the status, science, and significance behind each and every project the Ecological Restoration team takes on. To that end, our team is seeking someone who is a communicator, artist, and scientist, with a deep curiosity about the natural world. Using graphic design, written word, photo/video, and a broad array of media channels, the Ecological Communications Specialist will build awareness, engagement, and support for restoration projects of all scales across the Long Island Sound region.
WHO WE ARE
Save the Sound leads environmental action in your region. We fight climate change and build resilient communities, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands-on volunteer efforts. For more than 40 years we’ve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve—today and for generations to come.
The Ecological Restoration Team at Save the Sound creates lasting physical change that strengthens natural ecosystems to benefit both wildlife and communities. Our team of ecological engineers, biologists, and project managers mobilizes partners and resources to restore the conditions for natural processes to take their course, so ecosystems can rebound and support abundant life. This work is integrated into our larger action strategies to protect and restore Long Island Sound and the rivers that flow into it.
Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool. We seek to add and retain more outstanding people of color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes, and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice action for equitable outcomes within diverse communities through our work.
DUTIES
This position is responsible for content production and daily communications deliverables related to ER team projects.
a. Maintain close communication with project managers, and find the most advantageous opportunities to join the team in the field and document progress on active projects.
b. Content production, including photography and video capture using cell phone and professional photography equipment in a variety of environments.
c. Content processing, including graphic design and photo/video editing to transform raw content into compelling digital content for social media, web, emails, presentations, and printed materials.
d. Produce web pages and fact sheets for each Ecological Restoration project, as well as exercising creative freedom with other distributable content or storytelling media.
a. Track and respond to media requests, stakeholder/audience questions and inquiries, requests for speakers.
b. Stay up-to-date on active projects, and work with Assistant Director to build and execute a communications plan for each one.
c. Produce written communications, including press releases, public emails, website updates, social media, and blog posts that inform, activate, and expand Save the Sound’s audience.
d. Learn and help to improve the organization of digital assets so you can respond effectively to internal and external requests for photo/video content from restoration projects.
a. Manage small projects related to communications deliverables for grants, such as design and production of permanent on-site signage.
b. Work with Save the Sound’s Communications, Membership, and Development teams to organize special events related to restoration projects, such as kickoffs, groundbreakings, and/or celebration events. Help with logistics, coordinating press, and capturing content during the event.
c. Host webinars given by the ER team over Zoom for project stakeholders and/or the general public.
d. Act as a member of Save the Sound’s cross-department Communications team, seeking strategic opportunities to share skills and develop stories that connect Ecological Restoration projects and principles to our Climate, Clean Water, and Land Conservation work.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS:
· Able to effectively describe scientific topics and concepts in layperson terms, without losing the scientific meaning and significance;
· Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate and manage new and existing relationships;
· Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and balance multiple priorities in a dynamic project-based setting;
· Access to a personal vehicle for travel to project sites across the Long Island Sound region in Connecticut and New York.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS:
· Comfortable working in Adobe Suite, especially Photoshop, InDesign, and Premiere/Premiere Rush;
· Familiarity with web editing in Wordpress;
· Firm command of entire Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint;
· Experience working with press and giving live interviews;
· Comfortable with public speaking, both in-person and in virtual settings;
· Experience with event planning and production;
· Excellent command of Zoom and ability to learn other videoconferencing platforms;
· Proficient with social media, especially Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—particularly interested in demonstrated creativity in use of these platforms to showcase work and engage followers and in management for an organization or business;
· Conversant or proficient in Spanish language;
· Passion for the outdoors/natural world (you tell us how that is manifest in your life!)
COMMON ORGANIZATIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Common organizational job responsibilities include
· Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback,
· Participating in building productive relationships with CFE/Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public and
· Completing all administrative work on time, such as time sheets, purchase orders, project reports and planning documents.
COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS:
This position will be based in Save the Sound’s New Haven, CT office but will primarily work remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some travel is required.
COMPENSATION:
_**_This position can be combined with the Lands Communications Specialist position to create a full-time role with full benefits. The two positions require overlapping but distinct skill sets, so please review both postings carefully before indicating interest in the combined position.
This is a part-time, 20 hours/week position, and compensation is based on experience. The following benefits are included; paid holidays, vacation, sick time, and opportunities for professional development.
If this position is combined with the Lands Communications Specialist position to create a full-time role, compensation will be commensurate with experience, and the comprehensive benefits package will include health insurance, 403b, life and long term disability insurance, paid holidays, vacations and opportunities for professional development.
In either case, this is a grant driven, at-will position.
TO APPLY:
INTERESTED CANDIDATES SHOULD E-MAIL A RESUME, COVER LETTER, WRITING SAMPLE, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES TO ECOJOB@SAVETHESOUND.ORG WITH THE WORDS “ECOLOGICAL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST” IN THE SUBJECT LINE. (SUPPLEMENTAL WORK SAMPLES, SUCH AS GRAPHIC DESIGN, WEB DESIGN, OR VIDEO EDITING, ARE WELCOME BUT NOT REQUIRED.) APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED STARTING NOVEMBER 3, 2020.
**IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE COMBINED ECOLOGICAL/LANDS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST ROLE, PLEASE E-MAIL A RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES TO ECOJOB@SAVETHESOUND.ORG WITH THE WORDS “FULL-TIME COMBINED COMMUNICATIONS POSITION” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Our hiring process can take from 7 to 10 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.
Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Company Description
Save the Sound was founded in 1972 as the Long Island Sound Taskforce to preserve and protect the Sound. In 2004, CFE and Save the Sound merged, with Save the Sound incorporated as a program within CFE. Since the merger, CFE and Save the Sound have successfully fought threats to Connecticut's environment and Long Island Sound and worked to improve our land, air, and water.