Who We Are:

The West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District mission is to provide resources, information, and expertise to inspire people to actively improve air and water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and soil health. We are a publicly funded special district conservation organization. We partner with many organizations and individuals, including residents and private landowners to accomplish our mission in Multnomah County west of the Willamette River. Our services include invasive weed management, wildlife habitat and stream restoration, financial assistance for conservation projects and community partners, establishing school and community gardens, workshops, and conservation planning for healthy forests, farms, streams, and soil.

The West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at the District work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply.

Job Description:

This full-time position supports the District’s mission by helping ensure that local residents, landowners, farmers, and community organizations are aware of and can connect with our mission, services, activities, and resources. This position works closely with the District Manager and other WMSWCD staff members to develop and implement innovative and appealing outreach programs, resources, and engagement strategies that build relationships and deepen trust with our communities. Outreach efforts are focused on promoting the adoption of conservation practices and behaviors that align with the conservation priorities defined by the District’s long range business plan and meet the conservation needs of the District’s constituents.

The Outreach & Communications Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, and disseminating public information and other organizational communications. This position manages the production of digital and print publications including the district’s website, electronic newsletter, social media, annual report, signage, and video productions as well as public events and presentations, outreach mailings, press releases, and media relations. The position directly provides environmental education to the public via article writing, web content development, tabling, and presenting at workshops and other public events.

General duties include:

• Writes, coordinates, and/or edits articles for the District’s website, newsletters, and annual report, and occasionally for like media produced by community and partner organizations.
• Edits documents for District staff with an eye for broad readability by the general public and consistency with the District’s overall message.
• Manages the District’s inventory of publications, brochures, handouts, and other promotional materials.
• In consultation with pertinent staff, coordinates, designs, edits, and produces all District communications materials, including the annual report, annual adopted budget, quarterly newsletters, and other outreach and education materials such as brochures, signage, and promotional items.
• Develops and manages an on-line communications strategy, administers the District’s social media accounts, and coordinates and manages staff social media contributions.
• Maintains peer relationships with other agencies/organizations to share and implement the District’s communication needs.
• Manages and updates the District’s website to ensure positive user experience and easy access to information.
• Develops and manages District special events such as the annual meeting, periodic tours and celebrations, Soil School, and other adult education workshops.
• Meets regularly with District conservationists to develop and coordinate specific communication and outreach strategies for their program areas.

• Conducts and coordinates outreach for District conservation programs through workshops, tabling, and direct mail.
• Manages an outreach events calendar to ensure District staff coverage and preparation for priority events; assists staff with developing the outreach theme for specific events, assembling materials, and shares in the workload of staffing outreach events.
• Manages the District’s awards and recognition program for individuals and partner organizations.

• Works with  District staff to  track annual performance measures implemented under the District’s Long Range Business Plan.
• Outreach to and engagement with diverse community organizations, leaders, and members

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:
•        Personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including exploration of power and privilege, a willingness to self-reflect, and experience engaging with marginalized communities and individuals in a welcoming and respectful manner.

•        Passion for the District’s mission and willingness to develop and retain working knowledge about conservation and natural resource management.
•        Experience in administering contracts for print design, website development, and videography.
•        Experience in broadcast and print media relations including writing press releases, conducting interviews, developing and implementing earned media campaigns as well as developing and implementing crisis communications plans when faced with unwanted media attention.
•        Experience with developing and managing an annual work plan and administrating a program budget for a communications, marketing, or related program with specific experience with a natural resource conservation communication program preferred.
•        Proven ability for innovation in the development of communication and outreach tools and strategies
•        The employee may obtain a valid Driver’s License within six months of hire as the position requires travel during daylight hours and after dark.


Comments:
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work on a productive and creative team in support of local environmental conservation where no two days are ever the same! We offer a generous benefits package with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and in a Health Reimbursement Arrangement Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (HRA VEBA).

Working Conditions:
This position will be based out of West Multnomah SWCD office; however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid office and remote work. The logistics of hybrid office and remote work will be confirmed prior to hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. West Multnomah SWCD will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse) for an employee to successfully work remotely. This position requires occasional travel by car both in-state and out-of-state on official District business for meetings, conferences, and trainings, some of which may be held in the evenings. At the West Multnomah SWCD office, all staff have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees.

To Apply:
To be considered for this role, please submit a cover letter and resume to recruitment@cascadeemployers.com by Friday, July 7th at 11:59 PM. Cascade Employers Association is assisting with this recruitment.

Helpful Tips:
•        Be sure to attach BOTH a resume and cover letter.
•        Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit your resume and cover letter.
•        This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.
•        Please save a copy of the job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job posting closes.

Veterans Information:
Applicants are eligible for Veterans’ Preference when applying with West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District. For more information on required materials to submit, please see our Veterans’ Preference Policy.

Pay Equity:
As an employer, the District complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation.