Malta, MT

Job Title: Communications & Outreach Leader

Organization: Ranchers Stewardship Alliance

Location: Malta, MT

Organization Overview: Ranchers Stewardship Alliance is a fast-growing, rancher-led organization existing to help multi-generational and beginning ranchers build the collaborative, trusting relationships and community-based solutions that are needed to create healthy working landscapes and vibrant rural communities. Ranchers Stewardship Alliance is an organization nationally recognized for its leadership in building partnerships that provide education and implement stewardship practices and principles supporting vibrant communities, multi-generation family ranches and healthy ecosystems. The mission statement is Ranching, Conservation, Communities – a Winning Team!

Duties:

• This is ideally a full-time position, but we are willing to start on a project-by-project basis.
• Each employee serves a 3–6-month probationary period to determine if we fit together.
• Because there is work with volunteers and at events, some evenings, early mornings, and weekends are required. Some travel will be required.

Community Connections:

• Clearly communicate (written and verbally) Ranchers Stewardship Alliance’s mission and goals in compelling ways.
• Serve as primary point of contact and liaison for Ranchers Stewardship Alliance for outward facing communication and community leadership.
• Attend meetings with stakeholders, partners, and resource groups to inform, update and/or coordinate on Ranchers Stewardship Alliance activities such as tours and educational events.
• Lead the development of on-ranch volunteer opportunities and volunteer coordination.
• Work with your team to develop fundraising efforts; lead donor communication and relationship development and create opportunities for new funding sources.

Communication & Outreach:

• Create strategic annual communication plan, including annual report, appeals, and media outreach. Lead coordination of design, printing, and distribution of communication materials.
• Maintain a social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, webpage, etc.) and regular connection to our Ranch Stewards community through MailChimp newsletters.
• Work with outside contractors or self-produce video, audio, and print stories that illustrate our mission, vision, values, and achievements in meaningful ways.

Education & Workshop:

• Create a central ‘hub’ through the Education & Outreach Committee for the ranching community beyond Ranchers Stewardship Alliance’s traditional audience.
• Strategize, plan, and execute education and workshop calendar, including in person and virtual events, that reach community needs and ranching objectives.
• Provide leadership for Education & Outreach Committee for functions such as Annual Banquet, educational workshops, virtual webinars, tours, etc.; provide for project vision, core values and purpose, and then execute through agendas, speaker coordination, entertainment, materials, and advertisement.
• Provide public information through media outlets on Ranchers Stewardship Alliance activities, upcoming meetings, and opportunities for stakeholder participation and input.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Self-starting; you are an entrepreneurial leader who can see needs, seek creative solutions, and work independently.
• Relationship-centered; you are the ‘hub’ of the organization’s social life. You share stories, ideas, and connect people and partners. You bring energy and emotional intelligence to work with board, staff, volunteers, funders, partners, and our community.
• Mission-driven; you embody the mission of the organization, lead us in strategic planning, have a mission-driven vision for the future of ranching, conservation, and communities, and you are comfortable representing this mission publicly.
• Deeply connected; you are networked in and understand the ranching, conservation, and rural community scene. You bring connectivity to other similar organizations, current and potential partners, and funders, and are rooted in the rural and ranching way of life.
• The ideal candidate will have proven experience in communication and leadership/project management. You demonstrate a working knowledge of grassland conservation and the ranching communities of the Northern Great Plains. A record of leadership and team building will help you seamlessly work with fellow staff, volunteer board of directors, and partners. Formal education or documented experience in communication, journalism, leadership, education, or other relevant topics is valuable.

Salary/Pay: $40,000-$60,000 depending on experience and ability.

Application Deadline: April 15

How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and at least three professional references to Conni French at ccfrench@itstriangle.com and Angel DeVries at admin@ranchstewards.org.