Communications Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

Friends of the Los Angeles River

Los Angeles, CA

Half-time Contractor Position

$25,000 total for 20hrs per week for 1 year

Position Summary:

Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) seeks a professional storyteller and digital communications extraordinaire. This position will report to the Director of Strategic Communications, working cross-functionally with Development, Events, and Education. FoLAR is standing at the threshold of a brave new chapter, with a fresh brand, updated website, and the opportunity to continue guiding the River Movement alongside our community of thousands. The scope of this position will include public education and storytelling campaigns, mobilizing our constituency, media relations, social media content creation and strategy, web integrations and maintenance, and a range of event and donor-driven communications.

The Los Angeles River is the birthplace of our region and was once the thriving, unifying water source for the people and wildlife of Los Angeles. But that connection and our collective history was severed when the River was encased in concrete and fenced in 1938. Established in 1986, FoLAR has endeavored for over 30 years to restore community connection to and natural ecology of the Los Angeles River as its single largest mobilizing force. We build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the LA River. We educate, engage, and mobilize over 10,000 Angelenos each year to repair habitat and fight for the plans and policies that will reclaim our collective right to a healthy, thriving, and equitably accessible Los Angeles River.

We envision a verdant Los Angeles River that supports vulnerable communities in climate adaptation. The river will be transformed into a dynamic, functioning ecosystem that reduces flood risk, cleans the air, cools temperatures, and supports the biodiversity essential to our collective wellbeing. Our theory of change is that an educated public that can connect to the River is one that will take on the responsibility for it and LA’s broader environmental health; fighting for, stewarding, and reaping the benefits of a healthy, climate resilient Los Angeles River. We see our education programs as the first introduction between the river’s role in a healthy LA and the next generation of environmental stewards.

The LA River traverses through diverse communities of people, plants, and geographies. It provides an opportunity to reshape our environment in a way that is more inclusive, equitable, and just. We are committed to building a team, leadership, and a River Movement that is as diverse as the communities the River touches. We believe in working with nature and alongside communities to achieve climate resilience, park equity, and environmental health for all.

Friends of the Los Angeles River is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Description:

The ideal candidate will offer enthusiasm, positive attitude, the ability to self-start, will be highly organized, and will have a proven capability in coordinating multiple communications projects and platforms, creating and strategically implementing social media content, storytelling, website maintenance and integrations, utilizing project management tools and databases, and launching call-to-action campaigns. A passion for community, environment, nature, and communicating stories and science is a must. Success in this role will require a consistent knowledge of current events and trends that relate to Los Angeles River restoration, LA River communities, social media platforms, target audiences, and activities and internal projects of FoLAR, as well as comply with policies and procedures of FoLAR.

Under the direction of the Director of Strategic Communications, responsibilities will include:

• Identify opportunities to engage River constituencies and proactively develop related content for social media and e-blasts
• Identify opportunities to amplify community stories and voices highlighting nature and impactful projects through FoLAR platforms
• Develop and execute improved internal procedures to facilitate cross-departmental content creation and campaigns
• Coordinate marketing and event-based PR consultants
• Execute monthly e-newsletter, digital donation appeals, seasonal weekly event-driven e-blasts, and various other email- and social media-based campaigns
• Formulate and execute strategy in driving and measuring impact and action with the diverse River constituency
• Work collaboratively with internal departments to provide support for cross-functional events and initiatives
• Draft blog posts and other relevant collateral
• Management of all communications-related tools and assets: One Click Politics, social media boosts, photo library, brand guidelines, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Hold a BA degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field
• Two years professional experience in Marketing, Communications, or Public Relations
• Well-versed in current workplace technology
• Adept in basic website updates, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, AirTable, Canva, formatting and executing e-blasts
• Experience with Nationbuilder, Classy, or other similar CRM platforms
• Nonprofit and/or political experience a plus
• Graphic design experience a plus
• Agency experience or media contacts a plus
• Intellectual, honesty, integrity, collaborative, professional, courteous
• Analytical thinker, creating actionable recommendations based on data
• Can focus and prioritize in a busy setting; is efficient, effective, and resourceful
• Ability to multi-task and manage many projects simultaneously with scrupulous attention to detail
• Spanish language fluency strongly preferred

Women and minorities strongly encouraged to apply. This is a half-time contracted remote position with office space available in Cypress Park in Los Angeles. Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Must pass any necessary pre-employment screenings.

To apply for this position, please e-mail your cover letter and resume to communications@folar.org with “Communications Coordinator Application” in the subject line. Examples of your work are helpful and will be used for the purposes of filling this position only and will be kept confidential. Format is important; please send the cover letter in the body of the e-mail as text and any documents (resume, etc.) as easily accessible attachments. No calls or walk-ins. Please include three references, including at least two direct supervisors from previous employment or paid clients.