Communications Manager

Summary of Position
The Communications Manager plays a key role in advancing The Environmental Center’s (TEC) mission by effectively sharing information and resources with communities across Central Oregon. This position focuses on communication strategies that enhance TEC’s fundraising efforts, community engagement, event participation, and overall visibility.

Type of position: Full-time, non-exempt, 32 hours/week. There is potential to increase to 40
hours/week.

Expected start date: February 2025

Reports to: This position reports to the Development Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position manages contractors, including web developers, brand agencies, and print vendors. This position may at times supervise interns.

Work Environment: The Environmental Center (TEC) is located at 16 NW Kansas Ave. Our team consists of 16 staff and 10 directors. Our facility in downtown Bend offers a casual, open workplace with a kitchen, community meeting rooms, and outdoor garden spaces.

We operate as a hybrid workplace that offers employees the flexibility to work at the office, out in the community, and remotely (at home or other locations) to successfully achieve the roles and responsibilities outlined for each position, recognizing that some roles require more in-person and/or office time than others. The Communication Manager’s schedule is generally 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. In alignment with TEC’s hybrid workplace policy, this position generally requires in-person work for up to 33% of scheduled hours. 

Because we are a place-based organization, the person in this position will need to reside in the Central Oregon region.

About The Environmental Center (TEC)
TEC is a regional hub of environmental education, engagement, and action. Our mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. In collaboration with local communities, we work to advance a healthy, vibrant place to live, work, and play – for all of us today and for future generations to inherit. We strive to prioritize equity and accessibility in the decisions we make, partnerships we build, services we deliver, and outcomes we seek to achieve.
You can learn more about us and read our values at envirocenter.org.

Environmental initiatives, including those of The Environmental Center, have too often been
exclusionary. We recognize that community members who are Native, Indigenous, Black and
other people of color, 2SLGBTQ people, those with disabilities, people who are experiencing
houselessness, those experiencing low incomes, and people who live in rural areas are most
adversely affected by climate change and environmental degradation, and oftentimes the least included and prioritized. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and strongly encourage people from these communities to apply for this position.

Essential Outcomes for the Communications Manager
● Maintain a website with current and accurate information about TEC’s programs, activities,
and mission.
● Produce compelling written and visual content aligned with organizational priorities and
fundraising goals.
● Publish timely and engaging newsletters (e-news and print), blog posts, and social media
updates.
● Support storytelling efforts for events, fundraising campaigns, and program advocacy.
● Lead initiatives to strengthen TEC’s brand presence and visibility across the region.
In addition, each TEC staff member is asked to:
● Create an annual work plan to achieve your goals, consistent with TEC’s strategic plan.
● Identify and work towards annual growth and development goals.
● Participate in and put into practice TEC’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) – which includes but is not limited to engaging in individual and team learning opportunities and attending/supporting community events and programs hosted by other organizations.
● Represent and uphold TEC’s values and commitments.

Scope and Duties for the the Communications Manager
Communications (70%)

Community-Focused
● Develop an annual communications plan that incorporates both TEC and community
partner perspectives and voices, resources, information, and calls to action.
● Organize, develop content for, and send e-newsletters to our subscribers according to
schedules for our primary and segmented audiences.
● Manage social media accounts (primarily Facebook and Instagram) to engage followers
and grow TEC’s audience.
● Write and distribute press releases and seek earned media opportunities.
● Update TEC’s website with current program and event information, blog content, and
fundraising appeals.
● Identify and implement strategies to enhance the accessibility of TEC’s digital
communication tools- including our website, e-newsletter, and social media.

Development-Focused (in collaboration with development team)
● Craft content and design graphics for donor-specific communications, including
renewal and thank you letters.

● Organize, develop content for, and send a print newsletter to our supporters three
times per year.
● Create content and visuals for online fundraising appeals.
● Write letters and create materials that support corporate sponsorship asks.

Brand-Focused
● Serve as the staff lead for maintaining a consistent overall brand and core messaging
for TEC.
● Hold the bigger picture and drive the evolution of TEC’s brand/identity and positioning
in the region.

Graphic Production (20%)
● Use pre-designed templates in Adobe software to create print newsletters, brochures,
postcards, ads, and posters for both TEC-wide needs and some specific program
needs.
● Use Canva (online graphic design tool) to develop and update graphics
● Manage a graphic design contractor, if/when needed.

Other (10%)
● Participate in monthly check-ins and an annual review with your supervisor.
● Participate in bi-weekly staff meetings and quarterly strategic planning meetings.
● Be present at the office to answer community inquiries and provide information about
TEC and youth education programs in Central Oregon, in accordance with our adopted
hybrid workplace policy.
● Provide vacation coverage for other teammates as needed.
● Complete timekeeping and other reporting requirements.
● Participate in organization-wide activities as needed, including Mountainfilm, Earth Day
Fair and Parade, Sustainability Awards, Green Tour, and supporter appreciation events.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions of the position.

We Are Looking For
The Communications Manager’s scope of work requires English language fluency because the region we serve primarily speaks English as a first language. Bilingual candidates, especially in English and Spanish, are highly encouraged to apply and will be compensated above the base wage for the value this brings to the role and the ability to engage Spanish-speaking households in Central Oregon.

In addition, the following skills and experiences may help a candidate succeed in this role:
● Prior work experience in marketing, communications, and/or community outreach*
● Prior work experience in web content management (specifically WordPress)*
● Prior work experience in graphic design, using tools such as InDesign, Illustrator and/or
Canva*
● Prior work experience writing clear, compelling content and fundraising appeals*

● Prior work experience using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for
email communication*
● Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously while being attentive
to deadlines
● Experience working collaboratively using Google apps
● Experience using MS Office tools

*Eligible for a wage bump; see section below.

All TEC employees are required to complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

Compensation & Benefits
The base wage for this position is $25.58/hour. Candidates may be eligible for a wage increase up to a maximum $29.58/hour if they have one or more of the qualifications stated below:
● Spanish language fluency
● Advanced degree or certification in communications or marketing
● Prior work experience in marketing, communications, and/or community outreach
● Prior work experience in web content management (specifically WordPress)
● Prior work experience in graphic design, using tools such as InDesign, Illustrator and/or
Canva
● Prior work experience writing clear, compelling content and fundraising appeals
● Prior work experience using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for
email communication

In addition, TEC offers:
● Group medical, vision and dental insurance policies (TEC pays up to 85% of the
premium for full-time employees;
● Access to a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match up to 3% of the
employee’s annual gross income;
● 13 paid holidays per year and a generous personal-paid-time-off policy;
● $500 stipend annually to pursue growth and development opportunities.

TEC will provide a laptop, external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, plus a small stipend to
support a comfortable home office.

Ready to Apply?
We respect that each person on our team contributes to a healthy, sustainable community in their own unique way. In other words, you don’t have to identify as ‘an environmentalist’ to join our team. If our values align, we’d love to meet you.

Please mail or e-mail a cover letter describing your interest in the position, a resume, and three relevant references who can speak to your qualifications to:

The Environmental Center, Attn: Tim Page
16 NW Kansas Ave, Bend, OR 97703

E-mail: tim@envirocenter.org

Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

TEC is committed to equal employment opportunities. We make our employment decisions
based on organizational needs and individual qualifications; not on race, color, age, gender
identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, or physical/mental disabilities.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at
info@envirocenter.org or call us at (541) 385-6908.