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Atlantic Water Network (AWN) seeks a Communications Specialist to lead our communications and build the communication capacity of our community partners. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to support valuable community-based freshwater protection initiatives throughout Atlantic Canada.
Atlantic Water Network is a hub for community-based water monitoring, providing water monitoring equipment, standardized training, and data management support to watershed groups and communities in the Atlantic Provinces.
About the Position
This is a full-time paid position for one year, with possibility of extension.
The Communications Specialist has two primary roles:
- Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to strengthen and support Atlantic Water Network programs.
- Interact with AWN’s diverse network of community partners to help amplify the impact and visibility of their activities for key audiences by creating capacity-building resources.
Duties include designing a strategic communications plan; developing communications training materials and workshops; writing stories for online distribution and outreach (blog posts, social media content, factsheets, articles, etc.); creating and maintaining visual assets (photos, infographic design templates, videos); coordinating newsletters; and updating AWN’s website.
The specialist will report to Atlantic Water Network’s Research Manager, work closely with AWN staff and contractors, and collaborate with a large network of community partners based both within and outside of Atlantic Canada. All AWN staff work remotely but are offered travel opportunities to engage with communities in their place of work and in the field.
The ideal candidate for this position is team-oriented, open-minded, creative, and passionate about the environment.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic communications planning: Set goals and a strategic long-term direction for Atlantic Water Network’s external communications. Adapt the strategic plan in changing circumstances.
- Science writing: Identify creative storytelling opportunities to amplify on-the-ground water monitoring, research, and restoration activities throughout Atlantic Canada.
- Social media: Create and implement a robust and effective year-round social media strategy. This includes increasing visibility with new audiences, interacting with followers, and measuring impact across platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
- Capacity building: Create tools for environmental organizations and watershed groups to distill complex research findings, technical concepts, and water data into compelling and accessible messages for key audiences. Provide custom training opportunities for groups to utilize the tools to build organizational communication capacity according to their goals and needs.
- Community partner engagement: Engage with regional partners to gather content for science writing and storytelling about watershed monitoring and protection activities. Engagement opportunities may include but are not limited to attending virtual and in-person partner meetings, workshops, and field activities.
- Media relationships: Manage AWN’s relationships with local and national media, including fielding requests and leading outreach.
- Administrative: Assist with grant writing, project reporting, event planning, and other administrative tasks as needed.
- Visual identity and asset management: Update Atlantic Water Network’s visual brand identity and accompanying guidelines. Organize and contribute to a media library of digital assets (graphic designs, photos, videos, etc.). Ensure that all communications materials are consistent with AWN’s brand and messaging approach.
- Website: Assist with AWN website management, updates and translation.
Qualifications/Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, journalism, environmental science, public policy, or a related field.
- Demonstrate strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines at a given time.
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
- Enthusiasm for advancing Atlantic Water Network’s vision and mission.
- Experience creating and managing an organizational communications strategy.
- Experience designing content for and delivering social media communications.
- Experience developing communications that are accessible for diverse audiences.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
Additional Desired Qualifications
- Prior experience writing science-related content for diverse audiences.
- Experience empowering and supporting community-based initiatives.
- Proficiency in one or more of the following: Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, WordPress, or other graphic/photo/video editing software.
- Proofreading and copyediting experience.
- Awareness of local and regional environmental topics including public policy, environmental justice, conservation, community development, etc.
- Fluency in spoken and written French.
Atlantic Water Network is committed to the professional development of its team and supports continuing education and growth opportunities where possible.
Application Requirements:
This position is funded through a grant from the Clean Foundation (in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada) that has the following requirements of the applicant:
- No more than 30 years of age at the start of the internship
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person granted refugee status in Canada
- Not in school full-time
- Applicants can be located anywhere in Canada; Atlantic Canada preferred
To Apply:
- Register here to confirm your eligibility: https://cleanfoundation.ca/science-horizons-intern-registration/
- Apply here: https://cleanfoundation.ca/science-horizons-intern-application/, using the Job Title ‘Saint Mary’s University_ Science Communication Specialist’
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the position or process, please contact us at info@atlwaternetwork.ca.
More about Atlantic Water Network
AWN’s vision is that Atlantic Canadians are collectively empowered to leverage local knowledge in support of healthy waters now and for generations to come.
Our mission is to be a centralized hub that supports community-based water monitoring throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond. We achieve this by:
- Strengthening a regional network with shared water objectives
- Providing leadership, resources, education, and training
- Promoting local priorities in water policy
- Building trust in community-collected data
Learn more about our programs and activities at https://atlwaternetwork.ca.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]