Events & Outreach Director

Position: Events & Outreach Director

Compensation: $40-44K and benefits (medical/vision, dental, life ins; PTO; retirement match; flexible schedule)

Hours: 40 hours/week, full time, some evenings and weekends required

Reports to: Executive Director

Closing Date: 5pm December 12, 2019

Organization Background

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve, protect and enhance the the 60 miles of waterways, wetlands and slow moving channels known as the Columbia Slough and its watershed. We collaborate and partner with a diverse group of neighbors, property owners, businesses, environmental groups, recreation advocates and government agencies to provide numerous low to no-cost opportunities to play and learn in the watershed. We conduct habitat restoration of public and private lands near the Slough; put on educational events, and workshops large and small, canoeing and kayaking events and nature festivals; and lead a robust youth education program. Our office of 7-10 staff members is located in Northeast Portland adjacent to Whitaker Ponds Nature Park. We thrive as a team while also being self-driven and able to work independently. We value diversity within our staff and our communities. We are committed to being an inclusive, anti-racist organization that reflects and meets the needs of our community in makeup, priorities, operations, and programs.

Position Description

The Event Director’s primary duties are to organize and put on events for the Council and manage outreach and communications, in collaboration with program and administrative staff. The Council holds a variety of public events throughout the year, including festivals, large and small paddling events, walking and bicycling tours, family outdoor activities, and fundraisers. The Outreach Program has primary responsibility for all events except for fundraisers. Outreach staff participate in events and activities put on by partners and other community organizations and play an active role in the development and implementation of the Council’s racial equity plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Schedule, coordinate, budget, and implement at least 20 events a year, including three 400+ person festivals in the summer season
• Conduct outreach to and build strong relationships with neighborhoods and other community groups
• Represent the Council at meetings and events, including tabling and presenting
• Manage and maintain website
• Manage Council’s public outreach and communications including:

• producing bi-monthly newsletters through Mailchimp and all social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
• producing press releases, invitations, flyers, posters, postcards, email, and electronic announcements for Council events
• supporting program staff with their communications and outreach needs, as well as assist with the production of organizational materials such as the annual report

• Recruit and coordinate three event planning committees annually with community members, partners, and/or sponsors
• Support the Council’s Volunteer Coordinator in outreach and event volunteer recruitment and management; including an active paddle team of approximately 30 community volunteers
• Maintain and update documentation of events and contacts including coordination of the photo library and demographics
• Compile evaluations and prepare post event reports for Council events
• Develop and maintain contacts, email lists and mailing lists
• Maintain yearly events and community outreach calendars
• Manage outreach and events budgets with assistance of Executive Director
• Assist with actualization of council’s Strategic Action Plan, Equity Action Plan, and diversity goals
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in planning, coordinating, and managing successful large events such as festivals or conferences
• 2-5 years of experience in planning events and managing projects
• Friendly and approachable demeanor with excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well with people of diverse backgrounds, ages and cultures
• Dedication and/or lived experience working in inclusive, anti-oppressive community engagement and program design, particularly in communities of color
• Comfort with public speaking in professional settings
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and speaking
• Experience in successfully managing interns and volunteers
• Thrives working in a small team environment and in working independently
• Enjoys networking and building working relationships with individuals and organizations
• Extremely well organized
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to meet and adapt to shifting deadlines
• Capable of setting priorities to meet event goals while staying within budget
• Available in the evenings, weekdays, and/or weekends
• Ability to work on uneven terrain, lift 30-50 lbs regularly.*
• Comfort with water, paddling a canoe or kayak
• Driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and G Suite programs
• Working knowledge of an email marketing management platform and social media (mailchimp, facebook, instagram, twitter, etc.)

Other Desirable Qualities

• Ability to speak and write in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, or other languages spoken in the watershed. Spanish is especially desired
• Experience leading canoe, kayak, and bike trips
• Experience creating meaningful connections and contacts within communities of color
• Knowledge and connection to Portland, Gresham and Fairview neighborhoods, schools, natural areas, and non-profit organizations in our watershed
• Familiarity with our partners, such as Portland Parks & Recreation, Verde, Bureau of Environmental Services, East Multnomah SWCD, Port of Portland, etc.
• Ability to drive a manual transmission and back up a trailer
• Small non-profit work experience
• Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource sciences, business, or communications preferred or a minimum of three years of experience in public relations, communications, or events planning may be substituted.

*Work Environment

This position includes moving on uneven terrain, often during inclement weather. The Events Director is often responsible for a portion of event setup which includes lifting 30-50lbs, setting up tents, tables and chairs. The person in this position often paddles in canoes or kayaks to access sites or give tours. Around 30-40% of this job requires mobility in non-ADA accessible spaces and moving heavy objects. Please contact the Council with specific questions about accessibility and special accommodation.

Travel and Safety Requirements

Travel by car, valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, the ability to be insured for vehicle usages, willingness and ability to use personal transportation related to work (mileage reimbursed) is required. CSWC’s vehicle is a manual transmission and the ability to drive a manual transmission and back up a trailer are desired. Appropriate field and safety attire required as event dictates.

To Apply

Please submit (using a type font size 12) by mail or email (subject line “Events & Outreach Coordinator”):

• A cover letter not to exceed one page
• A resume not to exceed two pages
• Three references, (at least one reference must be from a current or previous work supervisor.)

Cathy Kellon, Executive Director

7040 NE 47th Avenue Portland, OR 97218

executive.director@columbiaslough.org

Please no phone or email inquiries.

Closing Date

Application materials must be received by 5 pm on December 12, 2019