Join the ForestWatch Team!

Georgia ForestWatch is the leading nonprofit organization whose mission is to partner with the U.S. Forest Service to ensure Georgia’s National Forests reach their full potential for current and future generations.

We are hiring an experienced Communications Coordinator to lead our external communications to the next level and guide our membership and educate the community to effectively use their voice in advocating for best forest management practices. This position is an excellent opportunity to lead an established but growing grassroots organization’s expanding communications.

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of our external communication strategies. Duties include managing external communication channels like social media platforms, websites, newsletters, and media relations.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a communications professional to step in the lead communications role with an environmentally focused organization and is an excellent position to utilize your talents to lead our expansion.

The Communications Coordinator will report directly to the Executive Director and while remote work is a possibility the ideal candidate will be willing to come in regularly to our office in Dahlonega, GA. Standard working hours with some weekends and evenings may be required.

The ideal candidate is an intrinsically motivated self-starter with a passion for the environmental and forest ecology sector. Previous experience in the environmental nonprofit sector preferred but not required. Candidates should have a documented work and educational history in communications and/or marketing and bring to the organization the knowledge and skills needed to lead our communications.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, direct, and manage all external communications including media, social media, newsletter, branding, marketing, and website development/maintenance.
• Build internal processes and procedures to effectively manage and produce all aspects of communications and external relations.
• With Executive Director establish, and achieve, annual position and organizational communications goals.
• Incorporate, influence and collaborate on priorities of external relations objectives; including policy, advocacy, and fundraising.
• Expand upon organization’s style and branding guidelines and marketing materials. Ensure all external communications meet branding guidelines.
• Work with staff, board, and members to publish our quarterly newsletter.
• Ensure we have the correct email management and delivery system. Create, send, and maintain organizational emails including fundraising appeals.
• Update and consistently maintain website and social media platforms. Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, Twitter, etc… with relevant and motivating content.
• Respond to media inquiries and maintain relationships with journalists and other members of the press.
• Maintain media contact lists and produce/submit press releases.
• Perform outreach to press outlets, magazines, influencers and build strategic partnerships to grow brand notoriety.
• Write a variety of different content to support communications and marketing efforts, including newsletter articles, website copy, brochures/flyers, and press releases.
• Write, review, and proof external materials and communications. Ensure all external communications are accurate and comprehensible to the general public.
• Lead staff and board in developing and implementing a communications strategy designed to further company objectives.
• Monitor analytics detailing the successes and failures of communications campaigns and strategies.
• Report on findings and develop solutions to meet organizational goals and objectives.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and make recommendations for adjustments to communications strategies and practices.
• Develop and maintain position papers and talking points with input from subject matter experts. With Executive Director, plan op-eds, press conferences, and other promotional opportunities to help keep the organization top of mind.
• Assist with development and fundraising activities.
• Assist in supporting promotional events such as the annual retreat.
• With Executive Director, represent as a spokesperson to external and internal audiences as needed.
• Step in as needed in emergency moments with flexibility and an ability to pick up new tracks of work and issues quickly.
• Actively participate with staff and board in internal and external organizational strategic planning and growth/improvement initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Executive Director

Position directly/indirectly supervises: None. Encouraged to develop communications internship and volunteer opportunities.

Job Requirements: Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field

Work Experience: Two years of professional experience in external relations or communications, preferably with a focus on forest ecology, or issues that cross with the environmental sector.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Unwavering belief in, and motivation to achieve, the organization’s mission and vision.
• Proven self-starter with program leadership capabilities. Ability to achieve results with limited direction.
• Superior time management and organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience in producing and editing accurate and dynamic messaging and external materials including press-releases, newsletters, op-eds, talking points and digital content.
• Knowledge of email marketing software such as Constant Contact or similar, including event management.
• Knowledge of Google and Microsoft tools, and Adobe Creative Suite or similar design software.
• Knowledge of CSS and website maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Ability to create and adhere to branding and style guidelines.
• Exceptional writing and interpersonal communication skills. Proficient in written communication and capable of ensuring all external communications are grammatically correct with focus on ease of reading and comprehension.
• The ability to navigate ambiguity, as well as multiple projects and competing priorities at once.
• Ability to work effectively, efficiently, and diplomatically on issues that are often complex and politically sensitive, bringing teams together with diverse cultures and perspectives.
• Deep knowledge and experience of working successfully with various forms of social media with proven track-record of results.
• Proven knowledge of communications and marketing ethics and best practices.
• Ability to perform communications research and monitor the progress of various communications strategies.
• Ability and willingness to effectively provide communications related feedback to staff and board.

Working Environment: Standard office work environment. 40-hour workweek. Opportunities to engage in outings and other field work.

Georgia ForestWatch is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

How to Apply: Please submit resume and cover letter by email to jobs@gafw.org.

Georgia ForestWatch is looking for an Executive Director.  Our mission is to enhance the health of Georgia’s Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (CONF) by protecting our forests and streams, advocating for natural processes and identifying opportunities to improve forest management.   GAFW works to encourage ecologically appropriate forest and recreation management practices in one of the most exceptionally biodiverse regions of the country.   We protect the headwaters of rivers that Georgians rely on, wildlife habitat, and old-growth forests. These efforts benefit the 2.9 million annual visitors to the CONF and help protect drinking water sources for millions of others. This is a unique opportunity for an individual to grow GAFW to the next level.  With a recently updated strategic plan, 750 loyal members/donors, long-term foundation funders, stable financial footing, and highly engaged volunteers, we are poised to grow as an organization.  We are looking for a leader who is passionate about environmental protection and education,  forest management/ecology and nonprofit management.
Qualifications
Eligibility

• Minimum of 3 years serving in a leadership role.  (Environmental background preferred).
• B.S. or higher degree, preferably in a related field:  environmental science, non-profit management, ecology, environmental education, etc.

Required Competencies and Skills

• Leadership Skills: Project management skills, including the ability to determine strategies, set agendas and timelines, delegate tasks and assess progress.
• Soft skills:  Listening, strategizing, creative problem solving, critical thinking, promoting teamwork and adaptability.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal, written and presentation skills. Technical Writing Skills: Ability to review and assist with technical writing, as needed.
• Experience supervising staff/contractors — including hiring, training, negotiating contracts and evaluating performance/corrective action.
• Fundraising experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Preferred Competencies and Skills

• Background or degree in forest ecology or related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of U.S. Forest Service processes for decision-making and public interaction.
• Experience interacting with government agencies on natural resource policies and planning.
• Previous experience as an Executive Director for a nonprofit,  including strategic planning, budget processes, financial management and risk management.
• Experience creating and leading a successful fundraising campaign.
• Demonstrated success securing grant funding.
• Demonstrated success planning and implementing an advocacy campaign in the environmental arena.
• Experience working with a board to implement a strategic plan, board development, board expansion and succession planning.
• Experience with volunteer management.

Salary – Salary Range: $60K – $75K.  Employee compensation is commensurate with experience, skills, best practices and market rate. Benefits – Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.  Ability to work remotely, with the expectation that commuting to the Dahlonega office will be required in order to attend staff meetings or other organizational duties.  Estimated commuter travel is one to two days per week. Email – Send your cover letter and resume to jobs@gafw.org Georgia ForestWatch is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.  View / download Job Posting PDF for sharing: Job Description (full) : Executive Director Job Posting (short): Executive Director