Outreach and Communications Specialist

Background

In cooperation with the California Tahoe Conservancy, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting an Outreach and Communications Specialist to support program outreach activities to collaboratives, partners, and Tribes for the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative (TCSI). Through outreach activities, this position will also support the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program by identifying the capacity needs of partners to advance forest health across the landscape.

About TCSI

The TCSI is a 2.4-million-acre landscape-scale effort to restore resilience to forest ecosystems and communities, increase the pace and scale of forest restoration, and increase the use of restoration wood byproducts. It is a multiagency, multijurisdictional effort composed of the California Tahoe Conservancy, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, National Forest Foundation, and California Forestry Association. As a regional effort, TCSI is poised to elevate the needs of partners and local entities, lead regional coordination, and champion policies that advance forest restoration across landownerships. A hallmark of TCSI is its innovative core, and ability to pilot new approaches and establish frameworks for future initiatives and projects. More information about the TCSI can be found here: https://www.tahoecentralsierra.org/

Position Description

The Outreach and Communications Specialist develops and strengthens equitable partnerships through expanded engagement and outreach to local jurisdictions, Tribes, non-profits, and community groups. This position identifies and articulates regional partner successes, challenges, and needs across various landownerships and communicates the collective achievements, challenges, and priorities of regional partners. They lead TCSI communications and outreach efforts including ongoing information sharing and sustained partner engagement through one-on-one meetings, regional partner meetings, and newsletters in alignment with the TCSI 10-year regional plan and state initiatives. The incumbent will report to the TCSI Coordinator.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead TCSI communication and outreach efforts

• Develop a TCSI communications and outreach strategy
• Create and distribute a quarterly TCSI newsletter
• Maintain the TCSI website (https://www.tahoecentralsierra.org/)
• Develop regularly updated informational materials such as TCSI storymaps, infographics, and brochures.

Develop and strengthen equitable partnerships

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with collaboratives, partners, Tribes, and communities within the TCSI landscape
• Liaise with collaboratives, partners, Tribes, and local governments to collect and share TCSI information and data
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate partner meetings, presentations, field trips, technical workshops, webinars, and similar events.
• Engage Tribal voices and private landowners in TCSI initiatives and programs

Support TCSI project management and workgroups

• Develop agendas and materials, present updates at quarterly TCSI steering committee meetings, prepare meeting notes, track and follow-up on action items, and schedule calls and other meetings
• Support program staff in managing work plans, writing annual reports, and hosting annual retreats
• Attend relevant conferences, meetings, and trainings that will allow them to stay current with the latest trends, research, and best practices in the field and result in new skills and knowledge to improve their performance and productivity.

Supervision

The position may serve as a work manager to interns or staff to assist with efforts.

Timeline

• Annual appointment, beginning March 2025
• Full time, 40 hours per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• This position is a two-year term, with possible extension pending available funding and positive performance review
• This is expected to be a telework position. Candidates should be located within 30 miles of the TCSI landscape (see map here: https://www.tahoecentralsierra.org/about/). The Outreach and Communications Specialist will use their personal vehicle for transportation to periodic in-person meetings with partners.

Compensation

• Rate of Pay: $31.00-35.00/hour depending on experience and qualifications
• Benefits: Fully paid health insurance premiums, paid California state holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, and enrollment eligibility in 401k plan.

To Apply

The position will remain open until filled and the first round of applications are due by 5:00pm PT on February 28, 2025. Interviews will take place the week of March 3- 7, 2025.

If you are excited about this position description, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement. Were eager to receive applications from people who believe in our mission and will contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. Candidates who are from communities underrepresented in the environmental field are especially encouraged to apply.

Qualifications and Abilities

• Experience in outreach, communications, partnership-building, and networking;
• Experience with facilitation, public-speaking, and event-planning;
• Bachelors degree with focus on resource management, forestry, conservation planning, environmental studies, or related field;
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and trusting working relationships;
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail;
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment;
• Proficient using Microsoft Office suite;
• Proficient using communications and creative software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and WordPress;
• Ability to facilitate agreements while working with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions;
• Strong interactive skills and ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• A willingness to quickly build working knowledge in local natural resource issues;
• Experience working collaboratively in a multi-organization environment is desirable; and
• Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of GBI and the goals and objectives of the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative Program