Public Relations Manager

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Public Relations Manager

Location: Flexible: ACE Office (ACE offices) or Remote Options Available

Department/Division: Organizational Culture

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: ​​Full-time, 40 hours/weeks with additional hours as needed. Typical work hours of 8:30am-5:00pm (Monday - Friday) local time with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: The Senior Director of Organizational Culture

Direct Reports: The Social Media and Content Specialist.

Travel: Less than 10%

Start Date: July, August or Open Until Filled

Position Summary:

The Public Relations Manager leads ACE's media relations efforts with mass communication outreach and innovative strategies to market the ACE experience including its diverse and unique programming and partnerships as well as the organizational culture and innovative staff teams. Reporting to the Senior Director of Organizational Culture, the Public Relations Manager will have a multifaceted portfolio that balances proactive outreach, campaign design, brand management, and execution with rapid response.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

External Communications and Media

• Collaborates with ACE staff team members to develop and implement ACE's external communications strategy.
• Collaborates with ACE staff team members to build upon ACE's current audience by identifying & authentically engaging new supporters from diverse and underrepresented communities.
• Develops fresh and innovative pitches to advance ACE's mission to internet, broadcast, and print media entities.
• Has strong writing and editing skills that effectively communicate ACE's narrative and public image.
• Creates and maintains ACE's public image in line with ACE's core values, mission, vision and stakeholder needs. Additionally, manages and counters negative publicity.
• Illuminate ACE's professional development opportunities through various media outlets.
• Develop and maintain ACE's media portfolio, as well as media/press kits.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for press inquiries and determines whether requests and outlets are in alignment with ACE strategies and focus areas.
• Develops content for press releases, op-eds, official organization statements, blogs, online/print articles, website, e-news, etc.
• Develops and sustains relationships with internet, print, and broadcast media entities.
• Recommends innovative ways to enhance the organization's brand and public image.
• Supervises the ACE Social Media and Content Specialist.

Monitoring and Analytics

• Monitors media related to all things ACE including ACE's programs/projects and relevant and/or industry-specific media opportunities for the organization.
• Monitors and reports on external media statistics and data analytics.
• Creates a daily news digest composed of external media pieces that mention, or are written about, ACE.
• Collaborates with colleagues to identify and publicize ACE's innovative, newsworthy programs and events. Generates regular, strategic, and high-quality media coverage of ACE's initiatives, leadership team members, and projects through proactive and reactive engagement with media outlets.
• Partners with the website management team to maintain the press section of ACE website.
• Supports the program and executive leadership teams with writing, editing and copyediting services for blogs, articles, etc. as needed.
• Contributes external communication content to ACE's internal monthly newsletter that highlights the staff & member accomplishments.
• Prepares and/or trains ACE staff and members for press and other external media events.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Communications or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3-4 years of relevant experience in Communication, Marketing or Press & Media Relations.
• Bilingual preferred/English required.
• Excellent writing, editing, and speaking skills.
• Has institutional knowledge of internet, print, and broadcast media entities.
• Organized and able to use a variety of communication software such as Adobe Suite, MS Office, and Google Suites.
• Self-motivated and a team player.
• Experience successfully developing and deploying communications campaigns and networking.
• Ability to effectively communicate organization initiatives to ACE's audiences with varying degrees of exposure to our industry.
• Takes initiative, ownership, and accountability.
• A balance between strategic thinking and execution and ability to embrace a collaborative approach.
• Excellent content and communication management skills, with outstanding attention to detail, and demonstrated expertise and creativity on differing media outlets.
• Strong time management skills: ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines. simultaneously and effectively either independently or on a team.
• Ability to work in a remote administrative environment.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• The ability to carry out assigned work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work well with others and to seek assistance when needed to carry out assignments.
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
• Possess strong problem-solving skills and ability to identify process improvements.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, data and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including supervisor key responsibilities.
• Local travel to events and/or branches as required.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.
• All ACE members and staff must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their term/position or request a medical or religious exemption.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., occasionally moves up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

What's in it for you?

• A friendly, supportive environment - people love what they do.

• A role at a fast-growing, mission focused organization.

• Opportunity to bring new, innovative, and creative approaches to the table.

• True working flexibility from wherever you are within the United States of America - work from home, the office or a combination of both.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary range of $50,000 - $60,000 (40 hours/week for 52-weeks), depending on experience.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan with a 1% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). Additionally, ACE full-time regular employees also receive paid additional holiday time for any normal work days that fall between the observed Christmas Day and New Year's Day holidays. ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. This position may close at any time.

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Learn More About American Conservation Experience (ACE)!

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