About SalmonState
SalmonState, a new initiative housed at the New Venture Fund, works to protect salmon habitat and promote policies that will guarantee Alaska remains the SalmonState: the home of the world’s largest, healthiest and most abundant wild salmon resource, which provides culture, food, income, employment and recreation to Alaskans, Americans and the rest of the world. We will achieve these goals by creating a deep, wide and powerful stream of support for actions and policies that put fish first. We do this through the utilization of traditional grassroots and state-of-the-art, data-driven organizing, a wide range of messaging and communications approaches, and sophisticated decision-maker relations work, as well as by building durable relationships with those who care about wild salmon (which, according to polling and focus group work, means just about everyone in Alaska).
The New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) established in 2006, conducts public interest projects and provides professional insight and services to institutions and individuals seeking to foster change through strategic philanthropy. NVF offers domestic and international grant-making services, executes donor-developed projects, and provides full fiscal sponsorship, including grants and contracts management for innovative public-interest projects.
This full-time, exempt position is remote and requires travel. Candidates based in Anchorage, Juneau or Homer are preferred.
Position Summary
SalmonState is looking for someone of exceptional skill and drive that can help us tell the story of Alaska as the SalmonState and achieve our vision outlined above. The ideal candidate will be able to delve into the details but not get lost in the minutiae. This position offers the right person the opportunity to not only direct SalmonState’s digital and traditional earned media–including media relations and communications/media strategy–but also serve as a thought leader to the broad array of organizations and interest groups working to preserve and protect Alaska as the SalmonState.
This person will work on a daily basis with SalmonState’s core team and in coordination with other organizations sharing the SalmonState vision. The Communications Director also works closely with the Development Department to create effective messages that meet outreach and fundraising goals.
Essential Responsibilities and Tasks
- Work closely with the management team to develop strong and consistent communication policies and processes
- Provide strategic communications direction and support to program and campaign-based teams
- Identify and prioritize SalmonState’s overall communications needs by communicating frequently with other SalmonState staff and allies
- Craft quality content for digital platforms on a daily basis
- Develop and implement communications strategies, including creating content for both traditional and online media in consultation with SalmonState staff and our numerous allies
- Work with SalmonState staff and key allies on message development, press releases, press conferences, action alerts, editorial board visits, blogs, video productions, press tours and other activities requiring communications expertise
- Work regularly with the SalmonState Director and program leads to ensure we are getting the right messages to the right audiences at the right time
- Translate complex policy and science issues into messages that resonate with SalmonState supporters, the public, media and policy makers
- Participate in staff- and issue-based conference calls and meetings to coordinate SalmonState and partners’ communications efforts
- Understand and be well versed in all of SalmonState’s major activities and priorities
- Monitor media coverage and adjust communications strategies to accomplish campaign and program goals
- Develop and maintain local, statewide, national and international relationships with traditional and online regional media contacts, including editorial boards, reporters, website hosts, bloggers, etc.
- Develop content that links the related work of different SalmonState efforts, conveying the concept that Alaska is the SalmonState and this distinction is important to all Alaskans
- Ensure communications strategies and messages are consistent and complementary in order to best avoid conflict and take advantage of synergies
Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications or related field and at least three years of experience in public relations or traditional/digital media.
- Excellent writing skills, including ability to reach readers through a conversational and engaging writing style
- Online engagement skills, including a thorough understanding of social media outreach, blogging, WYSIWYG editing ability and web-writing ability
- An understanding of water, salmon conservation, sport, subsistence and commercial fishing, land use and conservation issues, Alaska Native topics and science is a plus; willingness to learn about these subjects is a must
- A passion for the mission of protecting and promoting Alaska’s world renowned and vital wild salmon resource
- Understanding of emerging communications trends and innovations
- Ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic communications plans
- Proficiency using Associated Press writing style
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Ability to travel several times a month within Alaska and elsewhere for meetings and conferences as required
Valued and Non-Essential Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability
- Previous non-profit and/or advocacy experience is helpful, but not required
- A solid network of reporters/bloggers/producers in the region is a plus
- Photography and videography experience is helpful and ability to edit photos and video is also a plus
Attributes
- Positive attitude with energy and willingness to do what it takes to get the job done
- Exceptional communicator
- Self-disciplined to work with remote supervision
- Well organized
- Flexibility, adaptability and a sense of humor
How to Apply
Please send a letter of interest, resume, salary requirement and three professional references to Tim Bristol, Director, SalmonState at timsalmonstate@gmail.com.
New Venture Fund Careers
SalmonState is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of races, ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, beliefs, religions, faiths and ideologies, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability.