Community Relations Coordinator

Location: The Salvation Army – Jackson, Corps

 

Position Title: Community Relations Coordinator

 

Position Type: Fulltime

 

 

About this opportunity:

 

Serves as liaison to all media ensuring the desired message is communicated; takes photographs and writes articles covering Salvation Army events; participates in coordinating and promoting special events.  Serves as liaison to the Advisory Board and Women’s Auxiliary and provides administrative support for meetings.

 

Participates in the long-range planning, coordinates and ensures the continuity of special and seasonal events for the location that are well-organized, effective and efficient. Ensures that community resources are properly obtained and/or properly matched to meet special event needs.  Develops and implements a resource building strategy for the location. 

 

Responsibilities include:

 

• Recruits, maintains and cultivates relationships with the media including print, radio and television; coordinates planning meetings; develops story ideas for coverage; serves as a Salvation Army representative or spokesperson as directed; represents The Salvation Army in a professional and positive manner.

 

• Attends Salvation Army events and special meetings to take photographs and writes articles for publication in The Salvation Army periodicals and newsletters.

 

• Writes various articles, advertisements, news and press releases in order to communicate and promote the programs and services provided by The Salvation Army in the community; updates the local Website as needed.

 

• Designs, develops, and prepares reports, newsletters, brochures, etc. designed to keep donors, media, and those requesting information of The Salvation Army up-to-date on the activities of The Salvation Army in the local area.

 

• Develops and coordinates the preparation of an annual report.

 

• Coordinates and ensures the continuity of special and seasonal events for the location that are well-organized, effective and efficient; identifies and solicits necessary resources including financial, equipment, manpower, volunteers and specific sources from which to obtain resources that will assure a successful event and/or efforts; makes necessary contacts to arrange for resources; arranges for collection of same and sends thank-you notes at the completion of the event.

 

• Identifies and solicits necessary resources including financial, equipment, manpower, volunteers and specific sources from which to obtain resources for large gifts and program support; makes necessary contacts to arrange for resources and donations.

 

• Coordinates floor plans, menu planning, determines staffing needs, supervises the set-up of events, supervises clean-up after events including maintenance, inventory, storage, and equipment return.

 

• Prepares a brief as historical documentation on each special event and/or efforts for review and approval by the Corps Officer(s) or Director of Development.

 

• Determines methods for collection and recording statistical data on events; establishes appropriate reporting forms and documentation; maintains statistical information.

 

• Recruits, screens and selects volunteer staff ensuring adequate staff is maintained to meet program needs and special events; cultivates relationships with volunteers to enhance the potential for a long-term relationship.

 

• Plans and meets with individuals, companies, clubs, and/or organizations, etc. to adequately articulate The Salvation Army mission, special events and volunteer opportunities; responds to questions in a timely manner.

 

• Plans, schedules, and assigns work of volunteer staff; instructs volunteers in proper methods and procedures; checks and approves work in progress and upon completion to ensure accuracy and completeness identifies any problems and recommends changes in volunteer assignments and termination of volunteer staff when necessary.

 

• Maintains an updated database on all active Salvation Army volunteers; works in conjunction with all staff to identify the need for volunteers and assign volunteers to meet those needs; prepares and distributes throughout the community a listing of volunteer opportunities.
• Provides key managerial support for the Angel Tree program.  Coordinates operational planning for application process, mall operation, donation handling and distribution. Recruits, schedules and prepares training materials for all volunteers at malls and warehouse.  Prepares informational materials for the public.  Supervises volunteer work force at malls and warehouse.  Supervises capture of attendance data and reports statistics as required.

 

• Prepares required statistics, records and reports relating to the volunteer program and individual volunteers in an efficient, accurate and timely manner; submits same to supervisor, outside agencies, Divisional Headquarters and other applicable offices.

 

• Serves as contact person to all donors in regards to mail appeals and/or questions regarding other means of fund raising; approves and/or composes mail appeal letters to donors with approval from Commanding Officer; monitors all donations reported to the mail appeal vendor; maintains donor database at local level; corresponds with large donors ($100 or more) either written or verbal on a regular basis to inform them how their donations are being used and to thank them personally for their continued support.

 

• Serves as liaison to Advisory Board and Women’s Auxiliary; assists in developing advisory board relations and leadership recruitment; maintains current list of all Advisory Board members; assists Advisory Board members and officers as needed; notifies Board members of all executive, regular or special meetings; coordinates all advisory board luncheons and committee meetings; assists in coordinating annual dinner; assists in typing Board minutes when needed.

 

• Participates in local professional associations to promote networking and continued development of skills and expertise in the community relations field.

 

What we are looking for in you:

 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field,

and

• Three years of progressively responsible experience coordinating special events and performing marketing and/or media functions,

or

• any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

 

• Valid State Driver License with eligible driver status under TSA Driver Program

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

 

• Knowledge of community agencies, organizations, and corporations within the local area.

 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of special event planning and implementation.

 

• Knowledge of public relations and community cultivation.

 

• Knowledge of effective implementation of recruitment strategies.

 

• Knowledge of marketing and PR protocol and administrative management.

 

• Skill in motivational techniques.

 

• Skill in marketing to a professional volunteer audience.

 

• Ability to prepare effective printed materials for educational and promotional purposes.

 

• Ability to implement guidelines, procedures, and policies in order to run effective programs.

 

• Ability to work with others to motivate them to give of their time and skills to The Salvation Army.

 

• Experience performing management, outreach, recruitment, and public speaking.

 

• Experience performing training and development, coordination of recreational activities, and volunteer recruitment at the corporate level.

 

• Ability to participate in The Salvation Army Safe from Harm training in order to gain the understanding of appropriately working with volunteers and individuals in the community.

 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

 

• Ability to meet attendance requirements.

 

• Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language.

 

• Ability to perform mathematical computations.

 

• Ability to perform public speaking.

 

• Ability to keypunch information into a computer

 

• Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.) 5-10% of work time.

 

• Duties are usually performed seated.  Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.

 

Employee Benefits 

 

• Health Insurance – United Healthcare Choice Plus
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Aflac supplemental insurance
• Retirement

 

Why work for us?

The Salvation Army offers a broad range of career opportunities, particularly targeted toward those motivated by our mission, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

We strive to do the “Most Good” for our employees by offering a greater sense of purpose in the work performed by training and mentoring employees and by offering competitive compensation and benefit plans. Our employees understand at the core of their work is the opportunity to be an integral part of an organization that is Doing the Most Good, with these five values at the heart of everything we do:

We are…

• Passionate
• Compassionate
• Uplifting
• Brave
• Trustworthy

 

To learn more about the Salvation Army Jackson, MS please visit:  

https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/jackson-ms/

 

Submittal Period:

 

Additional Information: All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

To apply, please select the “Apply Now” icon at the bottom of this posting.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

 

When an application is selected for review, typically, only applicants who indicate the relevant education and experience requirements, as indicated in the job description for the position, may be considered for job openings. Please FULLY complete the application, answer questions completely, honestly and to the best of your ability. Please also upload a copy of your resume (when available). Those applicants requiring accommodation to the application and/or interview process should contact a representative of the Human Resources Department at the applicable location.

We appreciate your interest in employment opportunities with The Salvation Army!