External Communications Specialist
YMCA of Greater Kansas City - Tacoma, Washington, us, 98417
Work at YMCA of Greater Kansas City
Overview
- View job
Overview
is seeking a
External Communications Specialist
to join our team.
The YMCA focuses on empowering people in all forms, by improving health and well-being and inspiring action in and across our neighborhoods. This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non-profit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
As an External Communications Specialist, you will be tasked with helping enhance the Y's brand and reputation across Pierce and Kitsap Counties. The primary responsibility for this position will be supporting the association's broad storytelling effort to communicate positive human interest and community stories. The ideal candidate for this role will have a journalistic mindset, strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills, as well as being innovative, organized, and self-motivated with a keen interest in delivering inspiring stories and messages within our community.
Key Responsibilities:
Source and capture evergreen and campaign-specific stories for use across the Y's channels in multimedia form (video, photo, written, etc.) Think about story packages and how to produce a story from sourcing, to interviews, to script copy and publish in a range of formats from longer form for a blog to short form in social channels. Seek new opportunities to garner positive coverage of the Y in the community including drafting media kits, story pitches, and press releases for use across owned, shared, and earned media. Connect with key internal and external stakeholders, with the intention of building and maintaining long term productive relationships. Help identify and attend strategic events including advisory council meetings, community meetings, community gatherings, and other events related to the Y as assigned. Meet performance measurement by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission. Assist staff leadership team in reaching campaign goals through recruiting campaigners, making personal asks and supporting branch events. Maintain a clean and organized desk and office space. Responsible for sanitizing high-touch areas as assigned. Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience. 2+ years of experience in marketing and communications, with a focus on journalistic writing and storytelling. Time management, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Knowledge of project management techniques and tools preferred. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills. Proficiency in project management software tools, customer databases, and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Creative and dedicated individual who embraces a diverse and collaborative team. Complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on the first day of employment. Complete other online and in-person training throughout employment as required. Compensation:
$32.00 to $34.00 per hour, depending on qualifications
Hours:
Full-Time, 40 hours per week. This is a hybrid position.
Location:
YMCA Association Office, Tacoma, WA
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, and Vision benefit plan options YMCA paid Life and Long-term Disability Insurance Opportunity to participate in the YMCA 403(b) retirement saving plan. After 2 years of Full-Time employment, the YMCA will contribute 8% of your monthly earnings Accrual of 15 days of paid vacation (vacation accruals increase with years of service) 8 paid Holidays/Floating Holidays per year Paid Sick Leave accrued at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked per year Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Digital mental health counseling platform, Wellness program and LifeMart employee discount center Professional training, education and certification opportunities 20% discount on YMCA programs, Child Care services, and merchandise Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for Full-Time employees Ignite your Passion, Live the Y Cause, and Join our Team!
To apply visit our website at www.ymcapkc.org.
The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled
External Communications Specialist Job Description
Position Summary
The External Communications Specialist helps enhance the Y's brand and reputation across Pierce and Kitsap County. The Specialist sits on the marketing and communications team and reports directly to the External Communications Manager.
Key Responsibilities •Source and capture evergreen and campaign-specific stories of impact for use across the Y's communications channels and in multimedia form (video, photo, written, etc.) •Seek new opportunities to garner positive coverage of the Y in the community, including: 1) Drafting media kits, story pitches, and press releases for use across owned, shared, and paid media 2) Researching and connect with key external stakeholders, including traditional and new media and influencers 3) Help identify and attend and strategic events, including advisory council meetings, community meetings, community gatherings, and other events related to the Y as assigned •Contribute to the writing, production, release, and distribution of strategic communications (press releases, newsletters, annual report, one-pagers, crisis communications plans, ppt presentations, infographics, strategic/impact reports, board/CEO communications as assigned) •Support communications with donors and funders as determined by the external communications manager •Perform research and prepare reports on trends in giving, public perception, market needs, and other topics as assigned •Support reputation management, CCI efforts, DEIB initiatives, and volunteer and advisory council activities as assigned by external communications manager •Collaborate with marketing operations to track and measure all PR efforts •Cleaning and sanitation protocols will be required of all staff. •Staff are expected to adhere to all safety protocols and procedures, including the use of PPE. •Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment. •Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities •A commitment to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. •Excellent written and verbal communication skills for internal and external communications. •Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience. •2+ years of experience in marketing and communications, with a focus on public relations. •Time management, analytical, and critical thinking skills. •Knowledge of project management techniques and tools. •Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills. •Proficiency in project management software tools, customer databases, and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. •Creative and dedicated individual who embraces a diverse and collaborative team. •Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.
Working Conditions/Physical Demands
Regularly required to talk or hear in person and/or through technology. Constantly required to sit. Occasionally required to stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Employee Acknowledgement
This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.
This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment-at-will rights at any time.
By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position. Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.