Communications Coordinator

A Day In The Life

You can’t spell planet without plant, which is why we’re on a mission here at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

With the support of our community, we’re ensuring the foundation that sustains life on Earth, biodiversity, thrives. But, creating a brighter future is going to take a lot of green thumbs (and other talents), which is why we’re looking to grow our team.

As the Garden’s Communications Coordinator, you’ll help us continue to engage and grow our community of supporters – from our staff, volunteers, members, and donors, to everyday visitors, partners, and future collaborators – using traditional and emerging channels of communication.

So, are you ready to join the movement?

The right candidate is a storyteller at heart and knows how to curate and deliver a story that inspires action. You’ll work in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop a communications strategy primarily focused on elevating the Garden’s social media and public relations programs. If you’re detail-oriented, extremely organized, have strong verbal and written communication skills, are tech-savvy, and have a current understanding of the latest social media platforms and best practices, we want to hear from you.

This is a non-exempt full-time (40 hours per week) position. While rooted within the Marketing and Communications department, you’ll work proactively and collaboratively across all departments to support the Garden’s communication goals and needs. Offices are based in Santa Barbara (Mission Canyon) however, a hybrid work set-up may be considered after you’re settled in.

What You’ll Do

Content Development

• Creatively conceptualize digital content and work collaboratively with a graphic designer (or templates) to deliver and/or publish materials on time and on budget.
• Contribute to Garden’s bi-annual magazine as a copywriter and managing editor as needed.
• Write copy or serve as editor for marketing, fundraising, and interpretive projects as needed.
• Capture, edit, and publish photos and videos to support the Garden’s marketing efforts.
• Report monthly, quarterly, and annually on content plans.
  
  

Social Media Management

• Ensure the proper set-up and manage engagement of the brand’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn) and online reputation outlets (Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor).
• Coordinate with the marketing team to develop our annual editorial content calendar and manage social content scheduling across channels.
• Use approved templates and sourced images/artwork to develop social media posts and draft copy for captions.
• Foster positive community engagement by responding to comments across platforms in a timely, on-brand, and professional manner.
• Report monthly, quarterly, and annually on channel growth and engagement.
  
  

Public Relations

• Source, write, and distribute press materials as needed.
• Act as point of contact for the Garden’s PR program and pitch programs when needed.
• Establish, maintain, and grow the Garden’s media list.
• Compile and report on monthly, quarterly, and annual PR successes.
  
  

General

• Compile monthly communication reports highlighting your contribution and successes related to our larger marketing goals.
• Work collaboratively with marketing peers as needed to ensure the marketing team’s collective work achieves our standard of excellence.
  
  

You Must Be Able To

• Follow and keep current with the best practices (front- and back-end) used across social media marketing platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and additional platforms we may want to explore), video platforms (YouTube), and online reputation channels (Google Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor).
• Skillfully navigate new technology required to perform duties.
• Proficiently use Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Planner, SharePoint, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, and Certify
• Sit for up to 2.0 hours at a time and use a computer and phone for lengthy periods.
• Occasionally walk and navigate uneven terrain (Garden trails) and/or carry boxes, usually under 25 lbs.
  
  

You Will Definitely Need

• A BS in Marketing and/or Communications and/or 2 years of related job experience.
• Superb written and oral communication skills consistent with AP-style guidelines, including story/message development, copywriting, detailed editing, and excellent grammar. Comfortable with critique and the revision process.
• Creativity and self-motivation
• An aptitude for managing multiple, simultaneous projects and working with a team.
• Experience with marketing platforms including Sprout Social, Canva, Google Suite, MailChimp, WordPress.
• Experience pitching stories to media and managing media and/or contact lists.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and accuracy.
• A passion for conservation and the Garden’s mission.
• A commitment to excellence, teamwork, equity, and inclusion.
  
  

It Would Be Nice If You Had

• CRM platform experience
• Experience with WordPress management systems preferred. HTML knowledge a plus.
• Bilingual Spanish skills
  
  

Things You Should Know

The Garden is a beautiful place to work and, in this role, you will sometimes be outdoors. In addition to beautiful views, outdoor work environments also include exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations, rain, dust, allergens, poison oak, insects, small wild animals, and sun exposure.

Disclaimer

As an employee, you must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, and if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.