20 hours/week.  Salary: $20,000 – $22,000.   Interviews begin Monday, May 9, and position begins when filled.

Overview                               

The Vermont Wilderness School (VWS) is seeking a Communications Coordinator.  

VWS is dedicated to restoring our relationships with nature, ourselves, and each other. Since 1999 we have offered nature-based mentoring programs for people of all ages, in southern Vermont and beyond.

VWS is growing to meet the increasing community demand for accessible, inclusive nature connection programs and mentoring training. We welcome applications from dedicated individuals interested in learning, growing, and contributing along with us.

 

Position Summary                               

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for outreach and enrollment and provides administrative support for VWS programs and operations.  

Working closely with the Executive Director, the Business Manager, and the two Program Directors, the Communications Coordinator is a leadership position, with the potential for growth in hours and/or expanded responsibilities.

The Communications Coordinator has excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, and expertise in outreach and administration.  1+ years experience with nonprofit and/or small business communications and administration is required. The ability to compellingly market  nature connection programs is essential. 

This is a part-time, year-round position.  The Communications Coordinator works in our Brattleboro, VT office along with three other staff members. Partial remote work options are available.    

 

Leadership Competencies                               

VWS strives to create a culture that is supportive, effective, and life-affirming. Ideal candidates for this role will be energized by work environment that prioritizes:

• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Proactive Leadership
• Resourcefulness
• Service & Relationships

Essential Functions and Responsibilities                               

Foundational Role (15%) (3 hrs/wk)

This is the part of the position that upholds the overall strategic direction and values of VWS’s work.  It includes:

• Attend VWS long-term strategy meetings (weekly), VWS staff meetings (every 2 wks), and VWS staff/board retreat (yearly).
• Attend staff trainings and visit VWS programs as needed.

 

Core Role (85%)

1. Outreach (6 hrs/week)

 

 

Compile, design, and disseminate VWS outreach communications which attract participants and accurately represent our program offerings. 

• Create, coordinate, & harmonize VWS outreach strategy & materials, in collaboration with ED and Program Directors
• Respond to inquiries from potential participants & parents about VWS programs (program content, cost, scholarships, dates, etc.) Direct them to the appropriate Program Director when needed.
• Aim for continual improvement in program enrollment numbers.
• Create Monthly eNewsletter (Mailchimp) and targeted marketing emails (Gmail)
• Maintain VWS website (WordPress) and VWS Social Media accounts (Facebook)
• Layout & design online & print materials (Canva) and liaison with external graphic designers when needed.
• Manage photo archive.
• Maintain contacts and information in the VWS database.

 

2. Program Administration (6 hrs/wk)

 

 

Provide office-end administration and logistics support for VWS programs.

 

• Drive the ongoing organizational cycle of advance planning for each program cycle to launch.

• Work with admin team and program staff to finalize programs details before launch..

 

• Act as registrar, managing the program enrollment process. Includes providing customer service, monitoring roster, collecting payments, and tracking data.
• Provide office-end logistics support during programs, including participant and parent communications.
• Lead post-program gathering of participant feedback, lessons learned, and integration of participant data.

 

3. Fundraising (2 hrs/wk)

 

 

Support the fundraising work of the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

• Ensure the integration of fundraising into VWS communications.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director in leading the end-of-year grassroots fundraising campaign and year-round major donor appeals and recognition events.

 

4. Office Operations (3 hrs/wk)

 

 

Be a member of the team which collaboratively runs the VWS office, including the workflows and technological systems that support our work together.

• Be the first point of contact with public.
• Support staff & volunteer recruitment.
• Maintain & troubleshoot technology used in VWS communications.
• Maintaining overall order, cleanliness, and beauty in our workspace.
• Coordinate office staff to collectively ensure the cleanliness & beauty of our work space.

 

5. Meetings & Supervision (1 hr/wk)

 

• Meet with supervisor (Executive Director) weekly for updates and annually for a performance review.

 

Core Competencies                                           

• Experience and understanding of nonprofit or small business outreach (sales/ marketing/ promotion) and customer service.
• Experience and understanding of nonprofit or small business administrative operations.
• Familiarity with nature connection, youth mentoring, and/or community building initiatives, combined with an enthusiasm for elevating the community visibility of these offerings.
• Proficiency in digital communications applications (we use Mailchimp, Gmail, WordPress, Canva, and Facebook) and spreadsheets (we use Google Sheets) is essential. Comfort with Apple/Mac platform is preferred.
• Highly organized, with a strong attention to detail.  Quick, accurate worker.  
• Comfortable independently prioritizing, planning workflow, and managing simultaneous projects.
• Internal resilience and self-sufficiency.  Ability to improvise and adapt to the changing circumstances of a small, community-based nonprofit.
• Excellent and mature interpersonal communication skills. 
• Sense of humor, curiosity, and creativity. We like to laugh and have fun at work!

 

Considerations                                           

• We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and gender non-conforming persons.
• We are also currently hiring a half-time Business Manager.
• We have a well-behaved, friendly dog who frequents the office.  

 

Physical Requirements                                       

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Operating motor vehicles.
• Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Compensation                                           

This is a salaried employee position for 20 hours per week, year round.  

• Salary: $23,000 – $25,000, depending on experience.  
• Benefits:
  • 40 hrs / 2 weeks paid vacation (40 hrs)
  • Paid holidays (40 hrs) & sick time (24 hrs)
  • Up to $2000 stipend for use of your personal communications devices and work spaces for work tasks.
  • 100% discount on any VWS program (with available spaces)
  • 30% discount for immediate family members on any VWS program (some exceptions apply)
  • Partial to full cost of relevant professional development opportunities, on a case-by-case basis.

 

To Apply                                           

Please reply to jobs@vermontwildernessschool.org with a resume, two references, and a concise letter describing your experience, qualifications, and reasons for applying for this position.

Interviews begin Monday, May 9, and position begins when filled.