Communications Coordinator

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Missoula, Montana. BHA seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters and wildlife. Now, more than ever before, we need wild lands: places to rekindle the fire at the heart of the human soul. BHA is a nonpartisan group of sportsmen and women who are standing up for these places and for the outdoor opportunities they represent. BHA is the nation’s leading public lands and waters focused sportsmen’s conservation organization. 

Description:

As part of BHA’s dynamic communications team, this new position will work both internally – with BHA staff, chapter leaders and grassroots volunteers – and externally – with reporters, corporate and organizational partners and others – to advance BHA’s efforts, particularly at the state, provincial and local levels. 

The person hired for this role must be a skilled storyteller and relationship-builder with outstanding writing and editing skills. The ability to rapidly gain an understanding of BHA policy issues then communicate those issues either verbally to media members or through written materials such as press releases, social media and blog posts, op-eds/LTEs and emails and newsletters is critical. 

This position will play a key role in strengthening BHA’s current base of supporters and advocates while building new members and advocates and growing BHA’s influence on meaningful conservation decisions for our public lands and waters.

Areas of special focus for this position will include legislative activities at the state and provincial levels; activities of regional significance such as greater sage grouse conservation in the West, Boundary Waters conservation in the Great Lakes and Alaska’s Bristol Bay; and chapter efforts such as events, high profile meetings and days of action. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Contribute localized rapid-response capacity to advance the conservation and protection of public lands across BHA’s existing communications platforms in addition to working with state/provincial chapters to develop new, innovative approaches that elevate exposure for BHA’s work 
• Promote state/provincial priorities and chapter activities through drafting and distributing press releases and writing articles for publications by BHA and others 
• Assist with efforts to feature chapter work through BHA-produced media and corporate partnerships 
• Draft and place op-eds and LTEs authored by chapter leaders and grassroots volunteers 
• Edit and review chapter newsletters and other promotional materials 
• Cultivate relationships with state and local media to grow coverage of public lands issues specific to states, provinces and regions 
• Assist BHA’s social media coordinator in promoting chapter actions and supporting social media campaigns 
• Work with BHA policy staff to draft action alerts, letters to decision makers and policy updates 
• In collaboration with BHA chapters, develop a speakers’ bureau that trains and prepares individuals across the continent to engage in media, press and communications opportunities; help with website and social media trainings.
• Assist with developing, monitoring and reporting social and online advertisements. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Entrepreneurial spirit 
• Hunter or angler preferred 
• Passion for BHA’s work and mission 
• Excellent time and project management skills and ability to multi task and prioritize work 
• Attention to detail, including expert editing skills and familiarity with AP style 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Eagerness to learn, adapt and teach others about the use of new technologies 
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy 
• Ability to work with a diverse team, including some who work remotely 
• Leadership and initiative 
• Bachelor’s degree 
• Capability to sit at a desk for extended periods working on computer. Lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects weighing up to 25 pounds 
• Must have a valid driver’s license 

Starting Salary: Dependent on experience
Application Close Date: September 30, 2018
Application: To apply send cover letter and resume to Operations Associate Caitlin Frisbie at [email protected]with the subject line “Communications Coordinator.” 

Please attach your cover letter and resume as one Word document. The application cover letter should outline both your interest in and qualifications for this position. 

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters. 

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.