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Title

Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist 

Description

SUMMARY

This specialist will support the zoo's community engagement and public affairs efforts and will report to the manager of public affairs and advocacy. The specialist will be encouraged to work independently, but act as an integral part of a highly-productive team. Main tasks will include administrative responsibilities such as meeting coordination, note-taking and scheduling, as well as independent projects such as coordinating the Community Access Program and providing customer service, event coordination, content creation, and grassroots campaign support and implementation. Hard-working animal lovers who want to change the world are most welcome to apply--commitment to team work is critical to the success of this position. Attendance at events and off grounds programing as well as evening and weekend work is required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities:

  • Support zoo's public affairs initiatives and programs including daily media review, scheduling and coordinating elected official visits, policy research and conducting zoo visitor outreach.
  • Provide outstanding customer service for the Community Access Program by acting as point of contact for fulfillment of ticket requests and new relationships. Meticulously track tickets, contact information and data on participants of the program. Solve for benchmarks such as partnerships and redemption. Continuously look for opportunities for zoo to strengthen relationships with local nonprofit organizations to increase redemption and access. Work closely with admissions, education and membership teams to streamline program to fit needs of the zoo and outside organizations.
  • Work with a multidisciplinary team, coordinate logistics via scheduling and general support for four zoo-wide community engagement events annually with the goal of reaching new and underserved audiences.
  • Create and or assist in creating PowerPoint presentations and sponsorship materials in support of community engagement efforts.
  • Assist with neighbor relations, including door-to-door outreach, newsletter production, monitoring neighbor email and handling neighbor concerns regarding concert tickets.
  • Plan and attend internal and external meetings, including room reservation and set up, material preparation, note-taking and coordinating refreshments.
  • Assist Public Affairs team with zoo advocacy efforts which may include conservation issues, funding initiatives or on-grounds or community action campaigns.
  • Contribute to communications efforts by researching stories and developing content (e.g. zoo blog, magazine and social media channels) and create, as directed, advocacy materials.

Other responsibilities:

  • Maintain clear communication and good relationships with all zoo departments on communications activities.
  • Research and collect information for brochures, newsletters, exhibits, reports, advertising, and presentations.
  • Support public affairs efforts e.g. compiling data, producing backgrounders about elected officials, coordinating visits and working with other zoo teams.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Strong desire to work hard to save animals and habitats. Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for wildlife and nature.
  • Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institution's core values, and the desire to save species from extinction.
  • Ability to work in databases for long periods of time. Attention to detail is required.
  • Strong writing skills that match the voice of the zoo.
  • Interest in working with all members of the Seattle community and providing a thoughtful, considerate lens while working with those who are underserved or new to the zoo.
  • Outstanding organization and follow-up skills, with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests, and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
  • Strong interest in policy and advocacy issues concerning wildlife. Research skills are a plus.
  • Superior communicator and solid strategic thinker. This is a communicative team that values the voices of all members.
  • Ability to work effectively with people inside and outside of the organization.
  • Candidates with a sense of humor, positive team attitude and strategic thinking abilities are highly desired.
  • Must be available on evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Preferred bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.) in communications, political science, project/business management or related field from an accredited four-year college or university; or two to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Washington State Driver's License.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient and experienced with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Must be able to work with customized databases and technology, and conduct and synthesize internet research.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers/constituents, regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to communicate clearly and completely both verbally and in writing.

MATHEMATICAL ABILity

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The position requires an ability to walk or transit across the 92-acre institution in variable weather conditions. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, while lifting equipment or setting up podium area. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The vision requirements are based on the required ability to identify animals or places for media, and having to be aware of location in relation to animals as well as media.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS

Applications are only accepted online through our Jobs page at www.zoo.org; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are REQUIRED when applying for this position. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are due prior to 12:00 AM on the posted Close date (i.e. by 11:59 PM the evening before).

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.

 
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt  
Req Number COM-18-00001  
EOE Statement Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.
 

This position is currently not accepting applications.

To search for an open position, please go to http://WoodlandParkZoo.appone.com



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