Location: Portland, OR
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Building a large and diverse cross section of public support across the Pacific Northwest is critical to sustaining Friends’ efforts to preserve the Columbia Gorge for future generations. Friends’ Public Engagement team works to develop innovative and creative strategies and accompanying tools and tactics to effectively educate and engage the public in efforts to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge. Friends’ outdoors activities (hikes, art walks, bike rides, etc.) programs and quarterly newsletter (estimated circulation: 7,000) are vital tools in building a coalition of enthusiastic Gorge stewards.
The Outdoor Programs & Communications Specialist works with Friends’ communication director—in cooperation with colleagues across Friends’ teams—to manage Friends outdoor activities and programs; edit and coordinate production of Friends quarterly newsletter, publications, and graphics; and develop effective strategies, tools, and techniques to educate the public on responsible recreation and everyday stewardship of the Columbia Gorge.
ACTIVITIES
Guided Hiking & Outdoor Engagement Programs
- Manage Guided Hiking and Outdoor Activities programs—including creating seasonal hiking schedules and ensuring programs are educational, efficient, inclusive, and safe.
- Recruit, train, and manage a diverse and strong corps of volunteer hike leaders and shepherds.
- Work with Friends partners, volunteers, and colleagues to develop inclusive and educational outdoor programming that engages Gorge county residents; youth, young adults, and families; and members from communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other historically marginalized groups around the Pacific Northwest.
- Responsible for guided hike logistical, legal, and safety requirements. Analyze and evaluate the impact, reach, and effectiveness of outdoor programs.
- Collaborate with Friends conservation, land trust, and philanthropy teams to develop a robust hiking and outdoor programs schedule that helps to increase overall member and public support for efforts to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia River Gorge for future generations.
Strategic Communications
- Manage production of print quarterly newsletter, annual report, and other key print communications to ensure products are produced on brand, on schedule, on budget, and of high quality.
- Work with communications director and external designers—in partnership with Friends’ conservation, land trust, and philanthropy teams— to develop engaging art, graphics, and data visualizations for Friends print and digital storytelling efforts.
- Edit (for grammar, voice, and style) and develop engaging print and digital storytelling content (e.g. newsletter articles, web features/ blogs, social media posts, etc.) on the importance of protecting, preserving, and stewarding the Columbia River Gorge.
- Work with communications director to identify opportunities to advance Friends’ public engagement efforts through creative (written and visual) storytelling utilizing print, web, and social communication channels.
Special Projects
- Devise creative strategies to promote responsible recreation principles; assist on youth education efforts; and help support ongoing efforts and events to recruit and engage Friends’ members, volunteers, and partners.
- Manage special communications and engagement projects; conduct research on issues and initiatives; and collaborate with colleagues to help advance Friends’ public engagement initiatives through social media, advertising, public events, and other communication channels, as needed.
- Assist communications director in support of Friends’ diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.