• Job Description

  Req#: oZHPufwJ?nl=1
  DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
  POSITION DESCRIPTION
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  JOB TITLE: Communications Specialist	CLASSIFICATION: Professional 3 SALARY: $67,000 - $74,000 FLSA: Exempt
  DEPARTMENT: Communications LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington DC REPORTS TO: Communications Director NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 0
  LAST REVISED: June 2021
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  POSITION SUMMARY
  The Communications Specialist is responsible for helping to plan and implement a wide variety of media activities to gain coverage for Defenders of Wildlifeu2019s issues related to the organizationu2019s mission.u00A0 In this role, the Communications Specialistu2019s primary responsibilities include developing and implementing media plans, drafting news releases, factsheets and other press materials and providing to members of the media. Interacting with members of the media and building relationships is also an integral responsibility. In addition to other activities as assigned by the Media Relations Director and/or Vice President for Communications.
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  Regular interdepartmental collaboration for determining media opportunities, deadlines and messaging priorities/materials is essential in this role. u00A0
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  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Writing: Generate press releases, statements, talking points, advisories, factsheets, op-eds, letters to the editor, editorial board memos and other press materials
  • Serve as a lead/central point of contact where there are media opportunities that span across several different beats, specifically in relation to Defendersu2019 Hill work, such as Interior Appropriations, NDAA, among others
  • Media & Messaging Strategy: Work with program staff and Communications Team to develop and implement media plans
  • Participate and represent Defenders on key coalition teams, collaborating with coalition partners in strategy, materials development and action
  • Media relations: Establish working relationships with reporters in beat areas. Call and email reporters to pitch Defenders-related stories; field inquiries from the media and forward reportersu2019 questions to pertinent program staff members
  • Research: Conduct research to develop talking points and other media relations and programmatic materials as needed
  • Press events: Work with appropriate program staff to coordinate, execute and publicize press events, teleconferences, and other promotional activities
  • Advertising: Develop strategies for advertising in relation for appropriate use within advocacy campaigns
  • Develop messaging strategy, copy and manage design of advertisements; work with vendors to place advertisements
  • Attend press briefings and activities and help prepare senior executives for interviews and media appearances
  • General support: Collaborate with and support Communications Team colleagues in daily communications department work
  • Perform all other work-related duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, coordinating focus groups, and polling. Collaborate with Defendersu2019 Conservation Program Teams and Marketing Team for seamless communications across all forms of Defenders of Wildlife Communications including but not limited to publications and reports, press materials, social media, website and other outreach, etc u00A0
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  QUALIFICATIONS
  Education: Bacheloru2019s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent
  Experience: 4 years of relevant experience
  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
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  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders u00A0
  https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities
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  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 3 u00A0
  Administrative
  • Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
  • Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service
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  Communication
  • Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
  • Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
  • Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defendersu2019 interests in external environments
  • Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders
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  Critical Thinking
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
  • Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
  • Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
  • Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defendersu2019 work
  • Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to create high-level strategy, identify organizational-level impact, and translate strategy into relatable points and action steps
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  Project Management
  • Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
  • Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
  • Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
  • Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
  • Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
  • Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion
  • Ability to create and implement programs, initiatives, and/or systems which will result in organizational-wide impact; assess specific needs; design oversee implementation; establish benchmarks and track key performance indicators; provide recommendations for improvements; advocate and champion the program internally
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  Coalition and Community Engagement
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defendersu2019 members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and/or the general public
  • Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate issues impacting Defendersu2019 mission and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions
  • Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations
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  Conservation Knowledge
  • Familiarity with Defendersu2019 legal, scientific, and/or political issues
  • Familiarity with national and regional social, political and ecological landscapes
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  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Communications Specialist u00A0
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong writing and editing skills, specifically writing for press (op-eds, press releases, editorial memos, reporter backgrounds, etc.)
  • Experience with running telepressers and other media events
  • Experience with media pitching, relationship building skills and with creating long-term relationships with reporters, editors
  • Experience with communications planning and strategy
  • Strong time management skills as well as attention to detail
  • Ability to accomplish multiple tasks on several concurrent projects
  • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervisionu00A0
  • Experience working with media databases, specifically Muck Rack
  • Knowledge of AP Style
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  PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS u00A0
  Physical Activities u00A0 Check all that apply u00A0	Frequency u00A0 (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly u00A0
  Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.	N
  Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.	N
  Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.	C
  Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.	N
  Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.	N
  Communicating with others to exchange information.	C
  Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.	C
  Operating machinery and/or power tools.	N
  Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.	N
  Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.	C
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  Environmental Conditions u00A0 Check all that apply u00A0	Frequency u00A0 (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly u00A0
  Low temperatures.	N
  High temperatures.	N
  Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.	N
  Noisy environments.	N
  Hazardous conditions.	N
  Poor ventilation.	N
  Small and/or enclosed spaces.	N
  Physical Demands u00A0 Check only one u00A0	u00A0 u00A0
  Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.	X
  Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.	u00A0
  Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.	u00A0
  Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.	u00A0
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  Physical Demands u00A0 Check only one u00A0	u00A0 u00A0
  Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.	X
  Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.	u00A0
  Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.	u00A0
  Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.	u00A0
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  Visit www.defenders.org to apply.
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  All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
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  Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.
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  Please be advised this position is union-eligible.

• About the company

  Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. For more than six decades, Defenders of Wildlife has been a leading force in the protection of wildlife and wild lands. We employ innovative, science-based approaches to protect imperiled wildlife, advocate for wildlife friendly climate and renewable energy policies and conserve and restore native habitat. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come.

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