The Merwin Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment. We honor full expression of self, and foster diversity with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation and other characteristics of individual identity. We are committed to the well-being of our colleagues, and offer an organizational culture that centers health, wellness, happiness and creativity for our colleagues and community. We are currently accepting applications for both a Communications Coordinator and a Programs and Gatherings Coordinator.
Communications Coordinator
Position Summary:
The Conservancy seeks a creative, collaborative Communications Coordinator to work closely with the Executive Director. The Coordinator will implement the Conservancy’s communications and storytelling strategy to engage local and global publics, in ways that exemplify the Conservancy’s ethos and commitment. The person in this position will contribute to the development and ongoing refinement of communications strategy as our organization grows, learns, and evolves.
This position is full-time, and offers the ability to establish a hybrid schedule with a limited amount of remote work. It occasionally requires evening or weekend work to meet the needs and patterns of our program and commitments. The position includes medical and dental benefits and vacation and sick time, as well as one four-day work week per month, and paid time-off on a quarterly basis for volunteering within our community. The Conservancy also matches employee contributions to an IRA plan, up to 3% of an employee’s salary.
Hawai’i-based job experience is preferred.
Essential Duties:
- Coordinate implementation and integration of key elements of storytelling strategy across platforms, channels, and materials. Drive production processes and set timelines for two monthly digital newsletters, social media and other digital initiatives, printed collateral material, and the like
- Create and/or coordinate creation of copy and digital content:
- Develop presentation slides, draft copy
- Manage creative direction of video and print productions
- Coordinate and strengthen media relations. Prepare Press Releases, field media inquiries, serve as point of contact for press coverage locally and nationally
- Maintain an engaging, dynamic website, keep content current
- Serve as staff project manager for new communications initiatives such as website redesign, creative collaborations
- Manage media relations on local, national levels. Handle incoming requests, create and oversee press releases
- Interface effectively with colleagues, board members, advisers, collaborators, residents, program participants. Work closely and collaboratively with Programs and Gatherings Coordinator
Initial objectives include:
- Optimize rich archival and digital content for strategic use
- Coordinate development of a style guide
- Coordinate website redesign
- Create and maintain a data tracking system to inform continual refinement of communications strategy
Qualifications:
- 3-5 years of experience in a media-related field such as public relations, marketing, advertising, or nonprofit communications
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing dynamic social media initiatives
- Ability to develop and maintain positive, effective relationships both internally and externally, with colleagues and direct reports, board members, partners, community members. Act with integrity, and confidentiality
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment
- Ability to produce a range of rich public experiences creatively and efficiently
- Exceptional problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail, creativity. Ability to prioritize work deliverables as needs evolve, and to move multiple projects forward simultaneously
- Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong writing and copy editing skills
- Familiarity with video production, graphic design
- Knowledge of adobe photoshop, wordpress
- Current driver’s license
Programs and Gatherings Coordinator
Position Summary:
The Conservancy seeks a creative experience designer to work closely with and report to the Executive Director. The person in this role will coordinate a range of programs and special gatherings in ways that exemplify the Conservancy’s ethos and commitment. These include programs in the palm garden and in W.S. Merwin and Paula Merwin’s house, in our community, and online, as well as onsite and offsite fundraising gatherings, and other convenings and events. The coordinator will collaborate with the Caretaker and the Communications Coordinator in order to plan and implement programs and events in ways that safeguard the intimacy of this place while scaling its impact.
This position is full-time, and offers the ability to establish a hybrid schedule with a limited amount of remote work. It occasionally requires evening or weekend work to meet the needs and patterns of our program and commitments. The position includes medical and dental benefits and vacation and sick time, as well as one four-day work week per month, and paid time-off on a quarterly basis for volunteering within our community. The Conservancy also matches employee contributions to an IRA plan, up to 3% of an employee’s salary.
Hawai’i-based job experience is preferred.
Essential Duties:
- Assist with development of and coordinate implementation of public programs
- Residency Program: Coordinate pre-arrival administration and logistical/travel arrangements, coordinate with Property Caretaker to support residents during their stay, arrange community connections, events, partnerships for residents
- Green Room, virtual and in-person: make all logistical and creative arrangements to ensure exemplary experience for all participants
- Garden Programs: manage registration, participant communication for Open Garden Days; coordinate and lead garden visits, school visits; coordinate programmatic offerings in the garden dojo
- Coordinate and manage special and fundraising events and gatherings in the house and garden and offsite, occasionally on other islands and on the continent.
- Manage special creative projects and programmatic collaborations
- Coordinate ongoing evaluation of programs. In partnership with the Executive Director, articulate goals, outcomes, and indicators for programs, and use these to develop and coordinate an evaluation plan
- Assist with preparation of annual programs budget, and refine through the budget process in partnership with the Executive Director. Monitor performance of program-related budget lines to ensure accuracy, track in progress toward goals, and alignment with projections
- Work closely with the Property Caretaker as needed to attend to property issues related to programming in the house and garden; ensure smooth operations for onsite programming, as well as implementation of safety protocols and systems, in accordance with the Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP); work with Executive Director and Property Caretaker to refine EPP in conjunction with developments, changes, and organizational learning regarding programs
- Work collaboratively with Communications Coordinator on dynamic, integrated storytelling and programming
Initial objectives include:
- Coordinate responsive use of the Merwin’s house as we support Maui recovery, resilience, and revitalization, host gatherings, meetings, convenings, or rest time
Qualifications:
- At least 3-5 years of experience in special event management, interpretation, program or experience design in creative or cultural organizations
- Ability to produce a range of rich public experiences creatively and efficiently, to take initiative
- Experience creating engaging virtual programming
- Eye for detail, artful, creative, detail oriented in planning and executing
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment, and to develop and maintain positive, effective relationships both internally and externally. Act with integrity, and confidentiality
- Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
- Familiarity with wordpress, social media platforms
- Current driver’s license
Other Requirements:
Background Check Policy: As a condition of employment with The Merwin Conservancy each qualified candidate who has been given a conditional offer of employment must participate in a background check.
To Apply
Please send a resume and a letter of interest. In your letter, please describe relevant experience and include a statement about your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Send to info@merwinconservancy.org by Friday, October 13, 2023. No phone calls, please.
