Employment Opportunity

Communications Director

Yosemite National Institutes

This is a full time position working out of the administrative offices of Yosemite National Institutes. Yosemite National Institutes is a nationally recognized leader in the field of experiential education, providing science and environmental education in nature’s classroom to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and responsible actions to sustain it. Yosemite National Institutes conducts programs for more than 40,000 participants annually at its three campuses: Headlands Institute in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (near San Francisco), Olympic Park Institute in Olympic National Park, Washington, and Yosemite Institute in Yosemite National Park, California.

Yosemite National Institutes Administrative Offices are relocating from Sausalito to Downtown San Francisco in October of 2008.

See www.YNI.org for more information.

Position Overview:
Yosemite National Institutes (YNI) is recruiting a Communications Director. YNI is committed to effectively reaching target audiences including supporters, the National Park Service, media, government leaders, and other stakeholders. YNI is equally committed to assisting our campuses in creating and implementing effective communication and marketing strategies. Targeted geographies range from the local communities around each of our campuses, the west coast and national.

Yosemite National Institutes has an untapped opportunity to more effectively utilize outreach strategies to increase its impact due to a new brand identity, an emerging national vision, a capital campaign and several new initiatives. Changes in technology and society are revamping how the world communicates, and the nonprofit sector is playing an increasingly important role in shaping social change.

The Communications Director will be the day-to-day operational lead in achieving this vision, will supervise a small staff, work in partnership with campuses and program staff, and coordinate a network of external consultants.
The Communications Director is a newly created professional position reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs.

Job Duties:
• Work with the Vice President and other YNI leaders to build and refine an organizational communications strategy
• Implement an effective communications plan to expand YNI’s presence, advance our development campaigns, and increase public participation in our programs
• Perform regular outreach to key audiences, including the National Park Service, the education community and elected officials
• Pitch stories, create newsworthy events and build media relationships to secure high impact coverage that promotes the organization’s goals
• Conduct media and government relations, including maintaining comprehensive targeted media lists, writing talking points, speeches, news releases, and op-ed pieces
• Effectively utilize traditional outreach tactics such as an external website, and focus on effectively implementing Web 2.0 tactics for increased efficiency and effectiveness
• Develop persuasive messages that support YNI’s strategic initiatives, programs and organizational mission; ensure messages are accurately and consistently communicated by staff and volunteers
• Design and implement regular staff training and information sharing to improve staff strategic communications understanding
• Organize strategically-selected community events and outreach and secure high-level speaking opportunities for YNI’s CEO and other key staff
• Serve as a resource, coach, and mentor to staff regarding communications, including:
o Building solid and thoughtful professional relationships with management and campus staff, both to develop a clear understanding of campus strategies and program activities and ensure that staff maximize communication strategies
o Building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with communications leaders from other nonprofits and the field of environmental education
• Supervise, manage and develop a small staff
• Oversee YNI website development, content, and grow online presence
• Oversee the production and distribution of YNI wide materials in print and online formats to targeted external audiences
• Oversee YNI brand management and the style guideline
• Maintain databases of consultants, tools, and information for use
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:
• A minimum of four years professional experience with increasing responsibility for design, implementation, and management of communications strategies
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated ability to secure sustained, effective press coverage; initiative and energy to create opportunities and get results
• Experience organizing community and media events
• Crisis communication experience
• Proven capacity to understand, use, and anticipate changes in new communications technologies and tactics often referred to as Web 2.0 capabilities
• Proven capacity to communicate with and successfully reach culturally and ethnically diverse target audiences
• Effective supervisory skills and prior supervisory experience
• Effective skills in time management, budgeting, and program oversight
• Ability to generate and deliver persuasive and clear verbal and written communications
• Experience with issue management and public advocacy issues
• People management and development experience
• Outstanding interpersonal skills; must have credibility, good judgment, honesty, and integrity
• Initiative to solve problems with energy and a positive attitude
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team player and with grace and flexibility in a rapidly changing environment
• Able to anticipate, prioritize, and manage tasks while simultaneously demonstrating genuine respect for diversity and inclusiveness with multicultural sensitivity
• Able to handle sensitive information effectively and confidentially
• Advanced computer proficiency in Windows, web and desktop publishing applications
• May require some weekend and evening work and the ability to do some travel
• Commitment to YNI’s mission

Compensation:
YNI is dedicated to providing a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary commensurate with experience, medical and dental benefits, generous vacation and more.

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at YNI. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume. This position is open until filled.
Yosemite National Institutes
Communications Director Search

Email: CDSearch@yni.org