Hiring Organization: Future Harvest

Job Closing Date: 10 July 2016

Job Opening: Communications and Outreach Contractor

Future Harvest CASA is seeking a full-time, self-motivated, highly organized, tech-savvy, and visionary person to manage communications and outreach for Future Harvest CASA. This is a one-year, full-time contract position, with option to renew.

About Us: Since 1998, Future Harvest, Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (FHCASA) has been providing education, networking, and advocacy to build a sustainable Chesapeake Foodshed from farm and fishery to table. Its core work strategy is the Foodshed Field School, which offers peer-to-peer and expert-led education programming on growing and sourcing locally and sustainably produced food and fiber in the Chesapeake region. The school consists of our annual conference, year-long Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP), and about 20 farmer and consumer field education programs around the region. Its headquarters office is in Cockeysville, MD, with a satellite office in Easton, MD, but our team operates in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and DC so most staff work virtually.

About the Job: The manager will develop and begin implementation of a strategic communications and outreach plan. This will involve assessing the organization’s current communications and outreach efforts and setting the vision, goals, objectives, and activities best suited to further Future Harvest CASA’s mission. The manager will support our program staff and Executive Director. Responsibilities will include:

growing our membership and reach through innovative communications, list management, and regular outreach
working with staff to produce an engaging and informative bimonthly e-newsletter
developing engaging online and print content such as blogs, videos, podcasts, infographics, farmer profiles, and case studies, and producing print materials such as promotional brochures, fact sheets, and resource guides
further developing our social media presence and “personality” and posting strategically to our channels using best practices; working with staff to unify and coordinate social media and messaging efforts
developing an outreach campaign to better connect consumers to farmers and vice versa
promoting the Amazing Grazing directory and the grazers listed within, plus other organizational products
promoting online and via the press all our education and fundraising events, including the annual conference and Chesapeake Foodshed Feast
developing press relationships and writing engaging press releases
maintaining consistent, professional writing across channels and programs; developing an informal style guide
assisting with grant writing and editing
using analytics and user data to improve social media communications and web content
managing an editorial calendar to schedule and organize timely and relevant communications
giving technical help to staff when using webinar technology, webcasting, and other communications technology
assisting with other communications projects as necessary
attending our field programs and other events to document and create outreach postings and products.

About You: You work well in a virtual team, are used to producing with few resources, are tech-savvy, and know your way around the food and farming community. You are a clear, succinct, and compelling communicator across multiple platforms – from print to social media to press releases. You can think of few better ways to use your skills than to advance sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake region.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

Demonstrated excellent writing and verbal communications skills including producing content for websites, newsletters, and social media platforms
Strong editing and proofreading skills
Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects and tasks
Savvy about garnering press attention for our issues and staff
Desire and ability to work independently and at home
Strong organizational skills and storytelling expertise
Proficient in Drupal (or other web platform), InDesign, Adobe PhotoShop, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic HTML
Video and podcast experience a plus
Experience working with graphic designers and printers
Solid interpersonal skills
Interest/experience in sustainable agriculture; knowledge of farming issues and area farmers
Minimum of a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a focus on writing and communications

Supervision: The Communications Manager will report directly to the Executive Director, but supports all program staff.

Location: The Communications Manager must be willing to work from home, but is encouraged to use the office in Cockeysville, MD if convenient.

Hourly rate: Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Closing date: July 10, 2016

To Apply: Please submit cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and references to shannon@futureharvestcasa.org with Communications Manager in the subject line. No phone inquiries please.