Position Summary
Title: Birds, Not Mosquitos Communications Specialist
Supervisor: Hawai‘i Program Director
Location: Hawai‘i (specific island flexible)
Employment Type: Full time, 1-year position with a possibility of extension. Flexible hours and Part time employment may be considered
Salary: Estimated; $50,000 based on experience
Submission Deadline: July 19, 2023
Introduction:
The mission of American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is to conserve birds and their habitats – the places birds need to thrive – across the Americas. We are a growing group of 125+ dedicated staff, located across the United States and with a network of partners from Canada to Chile. Each year, we grow in budget and staff, and we deliver more results aimed at preventing bird species extinctions and reversing declines that are reducing populations of nearly all bird groups. Our work is guided by our principles, which include a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).
We seek a knowledgeable and enthusiastic person to serve as the Communication Specialist for the Hawai‘i Birds, Not Mosquitoes project. The project’s goal is to advance use of the Incompatible Insect Technique to suppress mosquito populations at a landscape-scale and protect native Hawaiian forest birds from avian malaria. The Communications Specialist will work with representatives from a broad coalition of state, federal, and private/NGO entities including communications professionals from across the state to reach a wide diversity of stakeholders including community members, state and federal employees, regulatory and environmental compliance officials, elected officials, and others.
The Communications Specialist must be able to translate complex and controversial scientific issues into accessible and engaging presentations and conversations. Work will include conducting virtual and in-person outreach, as well as education and engagement involving the public, internal and external stakeholders, and elected officials. The Communications Specialist will report to the Birds, Not Mosquitoes Outreach Manager at American Bird Conservancy.
Major Duties:
- Develop and implement effective strategies to deliver key outreach messages. Adapt messaging and approaches based on community and stakeholder input.
- Develop and conduct presentations, workshops, and events for scientific and non-scientific audiences, including community members, elected officials, and the general public.
- Assist with producing outreach and community engagement materials, press releases, and media (e.g., social media content, web pages, brochures, and infographics).
- Implement project’s community engagement plan.
- Assist with maintaining communications, updates, and positive relationships among state, federal, and private/NGO steering committee partners to facilitate inter-agency agreement on, and support for, communications strategies and activities.
- Assist and support Birds, Not Mosquitoes Outreach Manager and Hawai‘i Program Director in advancing goals and objectives of Birds, Not Mosquitoes.
Requirements:
- Ability to effectively communicate (written and orally) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences, both in person and through use of web sites, social media, and other online forums.
- Experience in community engagement and public outreach, including public speaking.
- Ability to quickly learn and synthesize complicated scientific and technical concepts into understandable and engaging presentations for different audiences.
- Ability to present potentially controversial issues in a professional, open, and accessible manner. Ability to maintain productive dialogue during tense or difficult situations.
- Skilled in developing positive and productive relationships with a wide diversity of stakeholders including community members, state and federal agency staff, and elected officials.
- Ability to capture and successfully communicate local community concerns to the Birds, Not Mosquitoes Community Engagement and Communications working group.
- Understanding and experience with Hawaiian culture, history, institutions, and ecology.
- Minimum of college degree or 3-5 years of experience in a related outreach or communications field.
- Willing and able to travel frequently among islands, including occasional overnight stays and some weekends.
- Enthusiastic about achieving project goals and finding solutions to obstacles.
- Able to work both independently and as a productive, positive member of a team.
- Authorized to work in the U.S.; US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Background screening required.
Benefits:
- Benefits include medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and retirement savings.
- Paid vacation days, holidays (10+), and sick leave
- Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home within available budget.
- Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.
To Apply:
Please apply online at Paylocity:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1766113/America...
If you experience any technical difficulties, please email your cover letter and resume as ONE document to [email protected]
At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all of our employees.
As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.