Canada Forests Communications Specialist (Part-Time 1-Year Contract)

Stand.earth is hiring a part-time Communications Specialist to play a key role in supporting our forest biomass campaign, working alongside international partners to shine a spotlight on the false climate solution that is logging and burning whole trees for electricity. Reporting to the Media Director, this position is responsible for carrying out media strategies that amplify stories from impacted communities, make headlines around the world, and reach key decision-makers in Canada, the UK, the US, Japan and beyond.

If you thrive on working with an array of people, organizations and communities to share powerful stories and create real-world change, have a deep commitment to climate justice, and are excited to translate technical campaign elements into compelling media-worthy narratives, then we hope to see your application!

This position is a one-year, part-time contract at 0.5 FTE with the possibility of extension. We encourage applicants to apply by June 19, 2023. This position is open until filled.

Please apply with a cover letter and resume after seeing the full scope of work below.

About Stand.earth

Stand.earth is a nonprofit environmental organization working to create a world where respect for people and the environment comes first. Our campaigns challenge destructive corporate and governmental practices, demand accountability, and create solutions that support all of us - and the environment and climate upon which we depend. Stand's strategic approach and fierce determination have yielded extraordinary results: Since 2000, we've helped secure the protection of millions of acres of wilderness, shifted billions of dollars of corporate purchasing toward responsible options, and transformed the environmental practices of more than 100 major U.S. corporations. Stand operates in Canada and the United States.

Stand recognizes and respects the sovereignty of First Nations and tribes, as well as the rights of Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities. These communities are often first and most directly impacted by environmental pollution and climate change, and they provide critical leadership in developing solutions.

Pollution, climate change, and corporations' bad behavior disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society - including people of colour, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ people. To develop transformative solutions, these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other historically marginalized communities. If you require assistance applying to this opportunity, please contact h.

The Position

Reporting to the Media Director, the Communications Specialist will work closely with the Northern Forests campaign team, alongside a network of allied organizations and communities, to support opposition to the growing forest biomass (wood pellet) export sector in Canada, particularly in British Columbia. In BC, wood pellets sourced from primary and old growth forests are principally exported to Japan and the United Kingdom, where they are burned to generate highly polluting energy while being marketed as a false climate solution. The Communications Specialist will create powerful storytelling resources and land media headlines that expose the sector's destructive practices.

This is a part-time contract position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and adjusted based on location, but will likely be within the range of $32.34 - $42.19 CAD per hour [$67,275 CAD - $87,750 CAD annually prorated]. Stand.earth offers a medical insurance stipend in lieu of extended health benefits and 3-weeks vacation, prorated. We also encourage employees to make use of our mindfulness sessions and professional development training opportunities that we offer. This position can be fully remote in Canada or based out of Vancouver (where we have a hub office) or Toronto (where we have a growing number of staff). Remote candidates may be considered but must be willing to work in time zones compatible with Pacific Time working hours. All staff can expect to travel periodically for in-person team meetings, retreats, and work events.

Position Responsibilities

• Identify and close gaps in resources, messaging and storytelling assets (like photos, videos)
• Coordinate with partners in BC and internationally - especially in Japan, the UK and the US - to identify key media opportunities, grow targeted media lists, build relationships with journalists and outlets, and pitch stories
• Work with partners to provide content for translation
• Draft, edit and disseminate press releases, advisories, Op-Eds and other media materials
• Help develop and implement a strategy to increase exposure of Canada's forest biomass sector internationally and grow the visibility of opposition campaigns
• Support contractors and frontline community members to carry out field documentation that's available to distribute nationally and internationally
• Monitor stories and track media hits to assess progress and help with campaign goal-setting

Required Skills

• Committed to equity, racial justice, authentic communications, standing with impacted communities, and continual learning
• Passionate about climate justice and forest protection, and excited to convince governments to make meaningful and lasting change
• Flexibility to work across multiple time zones
• Strong writing skills and an ability to translate technical, niche campaign language into compelling and inspiring - but accurate - narratives
• Experience coordinating with large and diverse coalitions and networks, managing requests and expectations
• Ability to track priorities, set and clearly communicate clear deadlines or milestones
• 3-5 years experience in media, communications or a relevant field, including journalism or public relations, and a thorough understanding of media relations and how to assess newsworthy stories
• Comfortable working in a primarily virtual and collaborative team environment where creativity, strategy, and follow-through are core values
• Experience in content production, such as written press releases, briefings or articles

Desired, But Not Required

• Experience managing and building lists in Cision or similar software
• Experience managing projects, contractors and/or volunteers
• Experience working on international communications or multi-country campaigns'
• In-depth understanding of forest and renewable energy policies
• Relationships with climate and environmental reporters in Canada, the UK, Japan, the US or other jurisdictions relevant to forest biomass campaigns
• Experience working in coalition settings with frontline and Indigenous groups
• Experience working closely with video editors and translation services

Please apply with a cover letter and resume after seeing the full scope of work.

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