JOB ANNOUNCEMENT – FRIENDS OF ALASKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES PROGRAM MANAGER

CLOSING DATE: August 19, 2024

Email inquiries and apply by sending a cover letter, contact information for 3 references, and a resume to marilyn.sigman@gmail.com. You can also drop off your application materials at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Homer, AK.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote the stewardship of Alaska’s national wildlife refuges through education, support, and advocacy. We work closely with Alaska’s 16 refuges in various capacities.

The primary responsibilities of this part-time, 9-month (September-May) position are the coordination, management and promotion of the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival (https://kachemakshorebird.org/) in collaboration with the staff of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. This five-day celebration in early May with more than 100 events focused on the annual migration of shorebirds, is the largest wildlife festival in Alaska and involves a diverse group of community partners and volunteers. All proceeds go toward sustaining the Festival and support for the work of Alaska’s refuges.

Additional job responsibilities support the Friends’ Board of Directors in carrying out our programs in conformance with achieving our mission. Tasks are primarily centered on communicating our message widely through various social media platforms, newsletters, and press releases; publicizing member and refuge events, managing membership and mailing list data, and seeking funding opportunities for additional program development.

The position requires skills and experience in communication, program development, event administration, and financial/budget management. It is anticipated that the Shorebird Festival coordination portion of the job will require approximately 80% of the job and general communications and fund-raising support for Friends around 20%.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, organizational and communication skills; will be able to manage their time independently, and will have experience working collaboratively with multiple partners.

Office space will be provided in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Homer. Much, but not all, of the work can be done remotely and there will be some flexibility in the work schedule.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Experience with successful event and/or program planning and management
Knowledge of standard accounting practices and experience managing a budget
Proficiency with Word, Excel, design templates for web pages and publications, an image-editing application, cloud-based file-sharing applications, an email platform (MailChimp preferred), and hosting meetings via Zoom.
Ability to develop engaging, well-written content for public dissemination, including regular postings to websites and social media
Experience developing and implementing public outreach efforts
Ability to prioritize efforts and efficiently manage time independently to accomplish a variety of tasks with attention to detail
Ability to work with members of the organization and the public as well as persons from many other organizations, agencies, businesses and other groups in a professional manner to project a favorable image of the Friends
Interest in wildlife conservation and state-wide conservation needs and concerns
Must be able to pass a federal background check

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE SKILLS:

Experience working with a Board of Directors of a non-profit organization
Experience with accounting software
Experience with the EventBrite or another event management app
Website design and maintenance
Knowledge of the Homer area, community, and businesses
Familiarity with National Wildlife Refuges

COMPENSATION: Part-time position (September-May) with a variable workload that averages 20 hours/week and peaks in the spring when near full-time work is required some weeks. Salary range of $880-960 DOE biweekly.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Shorebird Festival Responsibilities (80%):
Administration

Assist with the development of the festival budget and adhere to it
Book talent, including keynotes, musicians, and artists, and arrange for any agreed-upon travel, speaking fees, food stipend, and lodging
Arrange online ticket sales for free and fee-based events and activities
Coordinate and monitor event timelines and ensure deadlines are met
Coordinate event logistics, including registration and attendee tracking, presentation and materials support, and pre- and post-event evaluations in consultation with the Festival Executive Committee
Provide staff support to the Shorebird Festival Steering and Executive Committees, sending out the agenda, providing updates and taking notes at monthly (or as needed) planning meetings
Provide suggestions and bring items requiring a decision to the Festival Executive Committee on a timely basis.

Communications and Publicity

Manage online and in-person registration
Maintain and update the festival website
Keep partners, program leaders, and Festival committee members up-to-date with Festival happenings, changes, and edits
Post regularly on social media about the Festival and send email and snail mail communications following Friends branding guidelines
Oversee editing and production of the printed and/or online official festival program in collaboration with Alaska Maritime Refuge staff
Maintain and send updates to the festival participant mailing list and respond promptly to requests for Festival information or help by snail mail, email, phone, or text message
Maintain and ensure timely posting of festival signage
Oversee the design, editing, and distribution of promotional materials, including the Festival poster.
Initiate, coordinate, and/or participate in all efforts to publicize events
Represent the Festival at various outreach opportunities
Provide monthly reports to the Friends’ Board of Directors and a final report to the Festival Committees and the Board.

Fundraising

Develop and oversee fundraising events and coordinate the ordering and sales of merchandise, including online sales and in the Alaska Maritime Refuge Visitor Center.
Coordinate and publicize raffles, auctions, or other fundraising strategies
Secure corporate (for-profit and nonprofit) and business sponsorships
Work with Friends’ Board and FWS Staff members to apply for potential grants
Work with local businesses to provide items, coupons, or in-kind donations for presenters or volunteers.

Organization and Coordination

Solicit area businesses to offer tours during the festival weekend to be sold through festival registration
Coordinate with Friends and other community organizations to offer tours and activities during the festival weekend to be sold or offered free of charge through festival registration
Arrange and confirm transportation for land-based tours/talks and inform tour operators about permit requirements on state park lands. Negotiate and secure event space, relying on partnerships when possible
Work with Friends’ members to serve as hospitality lead for special guests and keynotes including arranging logistics, transportation, lodging, and itinerary for Festival.

Friends Organization Responsibilities (20%):
Outreach and Communications

Participate in Friends’ Outreach and Education Committee meetings
Produce and mail out electronic newsletters (10/year) in coordination with the Friends’ Education and Outreach Committee. Plan and gather articles, edit and do layout.
Maintain and post new content regularly on the Friends’ blog and website and on social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Instagram)
Publicize member meetings that feature presentations about individual refuges (10/year) via posters and social media. Assist with hosting the meetings via Zoom and in-person in Homer.
Assist with publicity and support of other Refuge events (e.g., Walk for the Wild).
Send out other electronic updates and announcements requested by the Board.
Update the MailChimp list to add new members and eliminate addresses from returns.

Office Management

Purchase supplies and/or equipment in accordance with Friends financial policies.
Set up and maintain office hours, March-May as part of Shorebird Festival coordination.

Grant Writing and Administration

Assist Friends’ Board members in applying for and managing grants
● Maintain an accurate archive of grant application materials.
● Research appropriate grant opportunities