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Communications & Engagement

Position: Communications & Community Engagement Officer
Organization: rare Charitable Research Reserve
Location: Cambridge, Ontario / Hybrid

Who You Are

You are a communications enthusiast who follows a passion for people, writing and the environment. You are able to understand that your success is only as good as the whole, and you foster meaningful relationships with rare’s community of supporters from various backgrounds through compelling storytelling using letters, reels and other materials that reflect our organizational voice and values. You have high expectations for yourself and your work and a healthy appetite for risk and experimentation, while willing to learn from failure. You are someone who enjoys being independent and the freedom to develop yourself over being micromanaged. You present with confidence and take pride in making sure your communication pieces are error free and have a fresh, contemporary look showcasing rare’s organizational identity. You are excited to make rare a household name and increase our visibility around town and beyond through collaborations and attendance at events where you share with zest how we can make the world a more sustainable place.

Who We Are

We are a community-based urban land trust and environmental institute that stewards over 1,500 acres of land in Waterloo Region/Wellington County. The lands we live on, work on and derive benefit from were taken away from the original stewards, and it is our goal to restore that connection and to work towards building ethical, reciprocal relationships. This includes learning about and acting on our responsibilities as settlers and unlearning our cultural and historical biases. Most of the land currently in our care is located within the Haldimand Tract, which is territory of the Onkwehon:we peoples of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit Anishinaabe First Nation. In addition, we steward land at the border of the Upper Canada Treaty No. 3 and Treaty 19 which is also territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We honour and respect the sovereignty of these First Nations and their ancestors.

Conservation is our priority, and our goal is to make the environment more relevant in peoples’ lives through environmental research and education. Modelled after an academic institute or research lab, the culture we strive for is a casual work environment that is positive, supportive, collegial and often experimental. As a registered charity, we are not working towards making the biggest profit for a corporation but working towards finding the best ways on how we want to live sustainably. You can find more about our culture and values, who we are looking for and what you can expect in the Frequently Asked Question section at: https://www.raresites.org/about/careers#jobs

The Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications & Community Engagement Officer will work collegially as part of the fundraising and communications team with program advisors, colleagues and volunteers, to represent rare and our needs to the broader community to build support – both social and financial – for our mission and programs through compelling communications pieces. You will work in close collaboration with the Events & Development Coordinator and Major Gifts Manager.

The role requires serious attention to detail, but also sensibility, creativity and initiative to build a strong community outreach and engagement system, with the ultimate goal to communicate rare’s mission and vision and major campaigns to a wide range of audiences using a variety of traditional and contemporary tools. You will have four overlapping areas of responsibility all with a focus on communication and community engagement – general communications coordination and management, written communication and traditional media, web-based communication and social media, and in-person communication and engagement:

1. General Communications Coordination and Management

  • Maintain and update internal and external policies and documents such as the Key Messages, Visual Identity Style Guide, Editorial Style Guide, Accessibility Policy, etc.
  • Be a resource to leadership, suggesting key messages and strategies appropriate to the conservation community and to rare in particular.
  • Build a positive profile for the organization, with broad community understanding and awareness of our key messages and core objectives, at the local, provincial, national, even international levels to appropriate audiences.
  • Develop and implement a communications plan and editorial calendar.
  • Propose channels of communications for optimal reach and impact based on communications and campaign goals.
  • Keep current on communications trends and challenges, research and implement tools to analyze and evaluate our communication success and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Provide communications team meeting agendas and chair fundraising meeting, provide minute-taking support at the fundraising meeting.

2. Written Communication and Traditional Media:

  • Plan, write, edit and format effective and accurate written communications materials, such as newsletters, annual reports, press releases, advertisements, Thank You letters.
  • Support the fundraising team in developing related communications materials such as donor reports and maintaining campaign documents to ensure effective reporting and follow-up.
  • Lead and organize the annual Direct Mail campaigns in collaboration with the Events and Development Coordinator.
  • Be the point person for media inquiries and interviews.
  • Build on list of current media connections and ensure they receive appropriate information in a timely fashion.

3. Web-based Communication and Social Media:

  • Lead the development of content, form and style of the organizational website, making sure that accurate, accessible and engaging information is available to the community.
  • Ensure frequent updating of the website to keep content fresh and seasonal.
  • Plan, write, edit, format and post blog posts.
  • Create and post compelling, contemporary social media posts and mini-campaigns and create online promotional materials.
  • Create reels and other video content to share and distribute across various platforms such as Facebook, Linked-In and Instagram.
  • Be the point person for inquiries through social media channels, keep content updated on a day-to-day basis.
  • Act as technical support person for Google ads and Google profiles, online events and website-hosting.

4. In-person Communication and Community Engagement:

  • Plan, write, edit and format speeches and remarks or presentations and deliver them to audiences ranging from 10-150 people, or prepare them for delivery by colleagues.
  • Support fundraising-focused and donor recognition events, in collaboration with staff in other areas where appropriate.
  • Act as technical support for in-person events.
  • Host tables and pop-ups representing rare at community events, serve as an information and inquiry point person for community members inside and outside the office.
  • Join collaboratives involving other organizations and groups geared towards joint advocacy issues.

Requirements:

  • At least 5 years of related communication-focussed work experience.
  • Well-spoken and articulate, demonstrated advanced written and verbal English communications skills, including letters, press releases, off and on-camera interviews, presentations, ability to address different audiences in various settings.
  • Proven editing, revision and document formatting skills, including knowledge of different writing styles/techniques, grammar, punctuation and syntax.
  • Demonstrated interest in and passion for the environment and in making complex subject matter accessible to various audiences.
  • Post-secondary education, e.g. college or university degree or certificate in communications, journalism or related program is an asset.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and high degree of accuracy, demonstrated experience in editing and fine-tuning your own and other people’s work.
  • Ability to create a communications plan, direct and set realistic goals and lead and oversee others in following your plan.
  • Good working knowledge on how websites and social media work, experience in using a wide range of social media platforms and web-publishing, including hosting platforms such as WebFlow.
  • Good working knowledge of Google profiles and Google ads.
  • Demonstrated experience in using CRM databases (DonorPerfect) and email tools such as Constant Contact and SurveyMonkey.
  • Working knowledge in contemporary design and publishing tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), experience with video production and editing is an asset.
  • Ability to use these tools to design compelling, contemporary and fresh-looking materials.
  • Good working knowledge and ability to work in a Microsoft Windows 365/Office based environment.
  • Excellent people skills, authenticity, genuine interest in interacting with people from all backgrounds and audiences.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while supporting a collaborative team, showing creativity and initiative.
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team environment where everyone’s goals and progress are understood and considered.
  • Positive attitude; ability to take responsibility and be accountable; ability to deal with change in the workplace and be innovative; respect for others.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise others, particularly summer students and interns.
  • Analytical skill, ability to evaluate success of various communications approaches.
  • Demonstrated experience in problem solving and good judgement.
  • Demonstrated time-management and organizational skills.
  • Flexibility with changing priorities and ability to remain focused to meet targeted timelines.

In addition to following all COVID-19 safety measures to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and guests, the rare Charitable Research Reserve requires all staff be fully vaccinated (at least two doses) against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Don’t meet all requirements?

We don’t expect you to be perfect, but we want you to have confidence in your own ability to progress. Know how to write a press release but you haven’t written a direct mail letter before? If we decide to hire you, we want you to succeed and we will support and train you in areas that need developing. Conferences, training and mentorship by more experienced colleagues and volunteers are all considered part of your work and encouraged.

Work Environment

  • A hybrid work model, responsibilities for this role are carried out primarily in our office and on site, and remotely when possible. This position requires in-person visits with sponsors and donors, venue visits and attending events in the community. Tuesdays are in-office collaboration days.
  • Required to work outside of regular office hours to accommodate event schedules which is adjusted by flexible tracking system for time worked.
  • Supported fully by the rare team, event days require a high degree of precision to ensure all aspects of the event are carried out successfully.
  • Physical activity may include lifting boxes with materials, setting up equipment, etc., up to 20kg, ability to attend hikes/outdoor events during all seasons/weather conditions.
  • Invitation for voluntary participation on the JEDDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization and Inclusion) committee.
  • We operate across different sites, many of which are not accessible by public transit. This role may involve transporting promotional materials and related items. Access to a vehicle and a driver’s license is required.

Compensation Package

  • This is a permanent contract that is a full-time position with a salary range of $50,000 – 58,000 annually – based on experience, skills, education and training of the successful candidate.

Deadline for applications is February 28, 2025.

Anticipated start date is March 24, 2025, and we expect you to have all prior obligations and any degrees completed by that date.

Additional Benefits

Excellent group benefit package, including:

  • Extended Health and Dental
  • AD&D Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Health Spending Account ($1,500 for employee with dependants or $500 for individual employee)
  • Additional days off – beyond your annual vacation leave. In 2025, there are 11 extra paid holidays in addition to statutory holidays with 8 falling after February 14th.
  • 15 paid Personal Days pro-rated in the first year
  • 3 paid Volunteer Days pro-rated in the first year to support community organizations/programs
  • Overtime in lieu of regular working hours (35 hours/week) accrued at time and a half
  • Possibility for flexible hours, easy to manage using the organisation’s HR portal (BambooHR)
  • Opportunities for training, mentoring and professional development
  • Support for taking initiative and pursuing aligned personal interest projects as time permits
  • Monthly team building and social opportunities, including outings, lunches and being together on the land
  • Dogs are welcome to visit the office in accordance with related policies
  • Free employee parking

How To Apply

Applicants are invited to send their application as ONE attachment to the following email address: jobs@raresites.org

Only documents including a cover letter and resume compiled into ONE PDF file will be reviewed. Any application materials provided within the body (text) of your email or as separate documents will not be considered. Cover letters for this position may be addressed to Stephanie Sobek-Swant. Please include the name of the position for which you are applying in the email subject line.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

No phone calls or social media outreach please. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

As part of our commitment to racial justice, reconciliation, and equity building, we welcome individuals from marginalized communities including Black people, Indigenous people, people of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and self-identifying women candidates to apply for this position. We encourage people with disabilities to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We are dedicated to removing bias from our hiring process. For this reason, we have implemented an anonymous review component in our recruitment process. What does this mean? We will be removing your name, address, and e-mail address and any other potential identifying information from your application/resume prior to it being reviewed by the hiring manager, during the first stage of the recruitment process. If you are selected for an interview, this information will become available to the hiring manager only at that time.


 

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Note: The above is provided on an "As Is" basis and for general informational purposes only. People and Planet (also known as "GoodWork") is not responsible for the content, accuracy, timeliness, completeness, legality, reliability, quality or suitability of this posting. We do not screen or endorse the organizations or individuals involved. If you decide to accept an offer of employment, volunteering or any other arrangement, you do so at your own risk and it is your responsibility to take all protective measures to guard against injury, abuse, non-payment or any other loss. Please read our full Terms & Conditions.

Current status: Open/apply now.   Date posted: Feb 13 2025    ID: 72856