The Role
Support CNPS Public Affairs by creating and editing content for web, email, print, and social; assist media outreach and maintain media contacts; coordinate chapter volunteer communications and training; manage digital assets and administrative workflows; and provide operational support for events and communications projects.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Communications Coordinator is a key member of CNPS’s Public Affairs team, a multidisciplinary group leading the organization’s external and internal communications, digital strategy, public policy, public engagement, partnerships, and publications. This role supports CNPS's communications and public affairs efforts through content creation, media relations support, volunteer engagement, and administrative coordination.
The Communications Coordinator develops content for a variety of platforms including CNPS's website, email newsletters, publications, and marketing materials. The role also supports media outreach efforts, helps coordinate communication and training for CNPS Chapter volunteers, and maintains digital communication assets and systems. Working closely with colleagues across the organization, the Communications Coordinator helps ensure that CNPS communications are engaging, accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational priorities.
The Communications Coordinator develops content for a variety of platforms including CNPS's website, email newsletters, publications, and marketing materials. The role also supports media outreach efforts, helps coordinate communication and training for CNPS Chapter volunteers, and maintains digital communication assets and systems. Working closely with colleagues across the organization, the Communications Coordinator helps ensure that CNPS communications are engaging, accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational priorities.
This position is ideal for a collaborative communications professional who enjoys balancing content creation, relationship-building, project coordination, and administrative support in service of CNPS's mission.
What You'll Do
Content Development & Digital Communications (35%)
- Research, interview experts, and write occasional articles for Flora, CNPS’ quarterly print magazine.
- Develop content for and distribute CNPS’ monthly email newsletter.
- Create and update website content, including blog posts, event listings, and programmatic content.
- Adapt and update communications materials using established Canva templates, including flyers, presentations, postcards, and one-pagers.
- Contribute content to annual reports, quarterly reports, and other marketing and communications materials.
- Support social media content creation, including recording direct-to-camera videos and assisting with multimedia storytelling projects.
Chapter Communications Support (25%)
- Coordinate monthly virtual Public Affairs meetings for CNPS Chapter volunteers and prepare supporting materials.
- Collaborate with CNPS’s Digital Media & Website Producer to support volunteer training related to Chapter communications tools and websites (no coding experience is required).
- Assist volunteers with access to and use of CNPS communication platforms.
- Serve as a point of coordination between the Public Affairs team and Chapter volunteers, helping connect inquiries to appropriate staff resources.
Media Relations Support (20%)
- Draft press releases, media advisories, and other media materials.
- Assist with media outreach and reporter engagement efforts.
- Monitor and internally report on media coverage related to CNPS priorities on an ongoing basis.
- Maintain and update media contact databases and distribution lists, including by proactively researching and adding new contacts and removing out-of-date contacts.
Administrative & Operational Support (20%)
- Organize and maintain digital assets in CNPS media management platforms.
- Respond to and route, inquiries received through CNPS communication channels.
- Provide administrative and operational support that contributes to programmatic goals and priorities.
- Contribute to additional Public Affairs initiatives and special projects as assigned.
Physical Requirements
- This role is primarily performed in an office or remote work environment and requires prolonged computer use.
- Occasional travel within California may be required, including participation in events and field trips that may involve walking on uneven terrain.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Additional Information
- This is a full-time, non-exempt position.
- Standard working hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
- Some evening and weekend work will be required to support meetings, events, or organizational priorities.
- This hybrid role requires regular participation in Sacramento-area meetings and team activities while also supporting remote work. One or more in-office days per week should be expected.
- Periodic travel within California is required and reimbursed according to CNPS policies.
What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)
- Consistently contribute high-quality content across CNPS communications channels.
- Supports timely and effective media outreach efforts that increase visibility of CNPS priorities.
- Coordinates successful Chapter volunteer communications meetings and trainings.
- Provides responsive support to volunteers and staff using communication tools and platforms.
- Maintains organized communications assets, media contacts, and project workflows.
- Builds collaborative relationships across CNPS programs and with Chapter volunteers.
Who You Are
Communications & Content Development
- At least 2-3 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public affairs, or related fields.
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to translate complex information into accessible and engaging content.
- Experience creating communications materials such as newsletters, blog posts, articles, media materials, website content, or social media content.
- Experience adapting content for different audiences and communication channels.
Digital Communications Skills
- Experience using email marketing platforms to develop and distribute newsletters or other email communications.
- Experience updating content in WordPress or similar content management systems.
- Proficiency using Canva or similar design tools to update and create communications materials from established templates.
Collaboration & Project Coordination
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, community members, and external partners.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and follow through on assignments with limited supervision.
- Commitment to providing responsive and professional support to internal and external audiences.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace applications.
Mission Alignment
- Interest in conservation, native plants, biodiversity, public lands, environmental education, or related topics.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for colleagues, volunteers, partners, and community members with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Demonstrated awareness of inclusive communication practices and a commitment to creating content that is accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
- Commitment to supporting CNPS's mission, values, and goals.
Preferred Qualifications
While no candidate is expected to possess every preferred qualification, successful candidates will likely bring one or more of the following:
- Experience supporting media relations, public affairs, or public engagement initiatives.
- Experience working with volunteers, member-based organizations, nonprofits, or community groups.
- Experience creating or appearing in video or multimedia content.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, environmental studies, or in a related field.
- Relevant professional experience may substitute for a degree on a year-for-year basis.
- Bilingual or multilingual communication skills, particularly in languages commonly spoken in California.
CNPS recognizes that candidates may bring experience through a variety of professional, educational, and lived experiences. If you are excited about this role and believe you can contribute to our mission, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every listed qualification.
What You'll Get
- Compensation: A starting hourly rate between $26.87 - $28.96. Reflecting CNPS's commitment to competitive, fair, and transparent compensation, we publish the full potential starting pay ranges for new hires and do not negotiate hiring bonuses.
- Performance Based Compensation Increases: Employees may receive up to a 3.8% performance-based annual rate increase.
- Health Insurance: 100% coverage of employee premiums for health (Kaiser or Anthem), life, dental, and vision insurance.
- Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with up to 6% matching contributions, available immediately upon employment.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Options for a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), and Transportation Savings Account (TSA).
- Paid Leave: 13 holidays, 12 sick/wellness days, and 10 vacation days.
- Parental Leave: 12 weeks of supplemental, paid parental leave, after one year of employment.
- Work-from-Home Support: CNPS-issued laptop, a $750 home office stipend, and a $60/month telework stipend.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Comprehensive support for employees and their families.
- Professional Development: Annual budget of $500 and 32 hours for professional development opportunities.
- Team Building: Attendance at semiannual staff team-building events.
- Community: Complimentary CNPS Society membership.
- Meaningful Impact: Join a team where your work genuinely supports the planet – cape optional!
About
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization with more than 13,000 members in 35 chapters across California and Baja California Norte, Mexico. Founded in 1965, the mission of CNPS is to protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. Native plants are the foundation of California’s globally significant biodiversity. CNPS is meeting this critical moment for biodiversity and climate action by supporting and catalyzing statewide efforts to conserve public lands, save sensitive species and habitats, and create thriving native plant habitats in our urban spaces and wildlands. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice At California Native Plant Society, we have a responsibility to address both structural and cultural barriers to experiencing nature and participating in the native plant community. We do so by integrating the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) into every facet of our organization and our work. These values inform who we are and how we operate as volunteers, staff, and partners. To learn more about our vision for DEIJ, we welcome you to read our public facing statements and resources here. Equal Opportunity Policy CNPS’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. This policy demonstrates CNPS's commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that values different perspectives and fosters belonging. To better understand the demographic profile of applicants, CNPS requests candidates to fill out the volunteer questionnaire that is part of the application form. Your responses will remain confidential, anonymized, and not shared with the hiring committee.
Skills Required
- 2-3 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public affairs, or related fields.
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with ability to translate complex information into accessible content.
- Experience creating communications materials such as newsletters, blog posts, articles, media materials, website content, or social media content.
- Experience using email marketing platforms to develop and distribute newsletters or other email communications.
- Experience updating content in WordPress or similar content management systems.
- Proficiency using Canva or similar design tools to update and create materials from templates.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace applications.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, community members, and external partners.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and follow through on assignments with limited supervision.
- Interest in conservation, native plants, biodiversity, public lands, environmental education, or related topics and commitment to CNPS mission.
- Commitment to inclusive communication practices and creating accessible content for diverse audiences.
- Experience supporting media relations, public affairs, or public engagement initiatives.
- Experience working with volunteers, member-based organizations, nonprofits, or community groups.
- Experience creating or appearing in video or multimedia content.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, environmental studies, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Bilingual or multilingual communication skills, particularly languages commonly spoken in California.
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The Company
What We Do
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) brings together science, education, conservation, and gardening to power the native plant movement, with a mission to protect California's native plants and their natural habitats.
