Jobs and Careers

Communications and Digital Specialist

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 10 Nov 2024

About the role

Job Title: Communications & Digital SpecialistDepartment: Michigan ChapterLocation: Lansing, MI or Detroit, MIReports To: Political and Legislative Director or Chapter Director
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of togetherness. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel inequity, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our democracy. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it.
Sierra Club is comprised of staff across the country and a network of volunteers organized in local chapters that support our grassroots engagement. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with two labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
Scope: The Communications & Digital Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to advance mission and priority campaigns for the Michigan Chapter by effectively communicating our values and strategic objectives. The position is responsible for earning media coverage, press conferences, creating written and electronic materials such as fact sheets or blog posts in support of chapter campaigns and priorities, managing the chapter’s social media platforms (including content creation), producing our bimonthly e-update, biannual Chapter Newsletter and sending emails and action alerts, among other duties. This position will develop, implement and coordinate the Chapter’s traditional and digital media strategy, communications materials and messaging for chapter campaigns, public education and other activities, with an emphasis on regional Great Lakes advocacy issues and environmental justice.
The Communications & Digital Specialist will also support chapter staff and volunteer leaders with digital tools and tactics, which may include editing, scheduling, and sending emails and action alerts, helping chapter volunteers improve their skills and abilities to use Sierra Club digital systems, and recruiting and onboarding volunteers to provide extra capacity and digital support for grassroots environmental work.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

Communications Strategy. Develops, implements, and coordinates digital and advocacy communication strategy that promotes chapter campaigns, public education projects and other activities to elevate chapter’s profile in social and traditional media using search engine optimization (SEO).
Traditional Media. Pitches Sierra Club stories to the media and organizes press conferences as needed. Writes statements to the press, LTEs, quotes and distributes them as appropriate. Coordinates responses to the media on all appropriate topics. Assists with rapid response to fast-emerging issues.
Social Media & Digital Content. Monitors social media and communicates with social media followers, including responding to queries in a timely manner. Ensures social media content remains current and builds in social media as a part of the large communications strategy. Compiles, edits and organizes content for the bimonthly Chapter email update and biannual newsletter in partnership with volunteer editors/writers.
Rapid Response. Leads and coordinates rapid response efforts which may include developing phone scripts, emails, social media posts and other tactics as assigned.
Collaboration. Collaborates with staff and volunteer leaders to develop strategy, create and update website content, social media, email communications and program documents that allow us to strengthen our brand.
External Communications. Produces creative visual assets (photos, videos, infographics) for website, email, blog, outreach and social media use. Develops chapter fact sheets and other communication materials as needed.
Training and Compliance. Trains staff and volunteers on communications tools, skills, strategies and policies. Communicates and ensure compliance with Sierra Club policies for writing style and content.
Fundraising. Assist with fundraising: In cooperation with fundraising staff, assist in the development of fundraising proposals and participate in grant making, solicitation efforts and reports to donors.