Pheasants Forever, Inc., seeks a highly motivated, passionate and team-oriented individual to share our ongoing story of wildlife conservation through sustainable agriculture. The Director of Agricultural Communications will work jointly with Pheasants Forever, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and other partners to create and implement a communications strategy for “Working Lands For Wildlife” (WLFW) initiatives that conserve grazing lands in the western U.S. These WLFW include voluntary, strategic, landscape-scale conservation practices on private lands in the prairie grasslands, the sagebrushsteppe, and the desert Southwest.
The Director will develop and oversee targeted communications plans for each regional initiative, as well as consistent messages for the broader western WLFW effort, geared specifically to engaging agricultural audiences. Director will be able to work remotely as an independent contractor of Pheasants Forever, with daily instruction and leadership provided by NRCS’ Western WLFW Lead. Successful applicant will supervise two part-time WLFW communications specialists as well as as-needed communications contractors, and work collaboratively with WLFW’s national, state, and field-based NRCS staff, partner organizations’ staff, and scientists. Successful applicant will work from home with some travel (~20% after COVID subsides).
Qualifications:
> 5+ years of experience in communications; agricultural communications background preferred
> B.S. or B.A. degree (M.S. degree preferred) in communications or related field
> Working knowledge of agriculture and rural ways of life, especially in the Great Plains of the central U.S.
> Demonstrated excellence in envisioning, writing, and implementing comprehensive communications strategies
> Innovative and proactive leadership in communications
> Strong communications skills; ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple projects
> Proven ability in digital and social media; fluency in contemporary software tools
> Adept in website content management; skilled in Google Analytics, SEO, or equivalent
> Experience making media pitches and working with influencers
> Ability to manage and account for a communications budget
> Graphic design experience welcome, but not required
Job Responsibilities:
> Develop and implement a communications plan with short-, medium-, and long-term objectives for traditional media and a variety of digital platforms
> Coordinate with NRCS Communications Staff in Washington, D.C., and with Public Affairs Specialists in western states to create content and amplify messages
> Manage the Western WLFW communications team; includes supervising two, half-time positions and approved contractors
> Work with current staff to increase website and social media engagement through regular content updates, and monitoring site analytics
> Increase earned media; vet and handle media inquiries and interviews with Working Lands core team
> Cultivate stories, messages, relationships, and strategies that position NRCS as a thought-leader in grassland and sagebrush conservation
> Craft and place appropriate stories by and about the WLFW approach, showcasing work with agricultural producers and partners
> Supervise staff that directs relationships with external vendors including writers, web developers and designers
How to Apply: If you would like to work remotely with our productive team in a fast-paced environment, complete and sign the “Contractor’s Quote Summary” section of this RFP, submit your letter of interest, resume, and writing samples to Sarah Marquart at smarquart@pheasantsforever.org.
Full information and RFP can be found here: https://www.pheasantsforever.org/SpecialPages/About-Us-Pages/Careers/Contractor-Opportunities/Request-for-Proposal_Director-Ag-Comm.aspx
Application reviews begin December 5, 2020.