We’re hiring! Communications & Programming Coordinator
Join Team WaterStrong as our next Program & Communications Coordinator!
▪ Part-time, short-term contract, 75% remote, 25% in-person in the Portland, Oregon area.
▪ 15 hours/week for the period December 2023 – September 2024. Hourly rate: $25/hour
▪ Please send a PDF cover letter, resume and 3-5 references to Dena Marshall at waterstrong2020@gmail.com by no later than 11:59pm on November 19, 2023. Selected candidates will be invited to interview between November 20 – December 1st. The anticipated start date is December 4th.
▪ Applicants representing communities that WaterStrong serves are urged to apply.
Description: The Program and Communications Coordinator is the boots on the ground, forward facing member of Team WaterStrong. This role consists of leading the programming of WaterStrong’s “Eco-Swim” events and capturing/communicating the mission, activities, and value of WaterStrong to online audiences. Key areas of focus for the program coordinator include:
▪ Lead weekly WaterStrong Communications to demonstrate a regular, snazzy social media presence on the WaterStrong website and blog (www.waterstrong.org) Instagram, Facebook, the WaterStrong Youtube channel, and LinkedIn. You will have a hand in shaping our public image and encouraging audience engagement. This may also include developing short, lesson-based teaching videos aligned with the WaterStrong curriculum in close collaboration with the Curriculum Coordinator.
▪ Manage monthly WaterStrong Eco-Swim and Outreach event logistics. You will engage with partner organizations to formalize event logistics (site, schedule, participant groups, equipment, and materials), outreach among volunteer networks to recruit and coordinate swim instructors and environmental educators to lead the WaterStrong curriculum, support day-of-event details such as site set up and program delivery. You will work in collaboration with the Partnership Coordinator to build new relationships with potential WaterStrong partners (often other non-profits and community-based groups) and maintaining active collaborations with current partners.
▪ The Program & Communications Coordinator is a pivotal member of Team WaterStrong and works closely with the Partnership Coordinator, Curriculum Coordinator and the WaterStrong Founder/Director.
Eco-Swim sessions are pool- or open-water-based events involving swim skills, water safety instruction, and water-themed environmental education. Our partners in this work include organizations that either directly work with underserved populations or that are equipped with infrastructure or other (eg. educational) resources available for our purposes. Such partners include YMCA, Metro, Bienestar Community Development Corporation, Forest Grove Aquatics Center, Northeast Community Center, Audubon of Portland, Washington County Parks, Multnomah Education Service District, Gresham Public School Aquatics Program, Parkrose Aquatics, and others.
The program coordinator will be involved in strategically planning the scope/length/style of activities and overseeing the outreach to partners and volunteers. Some of these activities require savvy social media outreach and building communication materials that broaden our impact online. The exact template of an Eco-Swim clinic is flexible, leaving the Coordinator room to collaborate on activity programming to suit different goals at different times.
Depending on seasonality and other considerations we deliver the Eco-Swims in pool and open-water settings, always hoping to build the participants’ sense of access to nearby water resources. These events involve numerous volunteers, some of whom have more training in WaterStrong methods than others, and we are always building volunteer outreach.
Eco-Swim events are one of our primary programs, and as such, they are perfect for capturing promotional material and conveying transformative, immersive, fun, learning experiences for our participants. We are looking for candidates who either can capture “kodak moments” in compelling ways, or help to organize this with photographers—and ideal candidates are able to craft and curate the “story” of WaterStrong through varying social media outlets with a combination of text, photography, graphic imagery, and video.
We are selecting candidates who can carry out these goals and who demonstrate a combination of the following qualities or experiences:
▪ Most comfortable working independently with limited oversight, in a virtual environment toward clearly defined objectives.
▪ Passionate about water, water & swim safety, child safety, environmental education, health, and increasing people’s quality of life.
▪ Savvy with social media and eager to get the word out, learn new things, and influence audiences to join activities that save lives, destroy barriers, and nourish the planet.
▪ Willing to gain new skills and professional certification in lifeguarding, child safety, environmental education, and/or swim instruction. The successful candidate will begin by receiving training and certification in American Red Cross basic first aid/CPR/AED skills.
▪ Fluent or highly proficient in a language other than English.
▪ Well organized, able to plan ahead, and familiar with building campaigns.
▪ Excellent communication skills–both for working with teams and external entities.
▪ Willing to take initiative, follow through with project management, and consistent in reviewing progress and reporting to colleagues.
▪ Proficient in Google workspace, website building, social media channels, and email marketing (there will be some room to collaborate with the Partnership Coordinator)
▪ Invested in social causes. Mindful of environmental justice, DEI, and interested in removing barriers that underserved communities face.
The Program & Communications Coordinator job is a short-term, part-time contract and may be extended, depending upon available funding. If you are interested in this position please send a PDF cover letter, resume and 3-5 references to Dena Marshall at waterstrong2020@gmail.com by no later than 11:59pm on November 19, 2023. Selected candidates will be invited to interview between November 20 – December 1. The anticipated start date is December 4, 2023. Applicants representing communities WaterStrong serves are urged to apply.
