Communications Specialist

Animal Welfare League of Arlington•Arlington, VA

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Specialist is a full-time, onsite role responsible for capturing and creating compelling content that advances AWLA's mission and elevates its brand across digital and print channels. Working in close collaboration with AWLA's Digital Fundraising and Communications Consultant, this role owns the day-to-day production and publishing of content across AWLA’s website, social media channels, and for use in donor-facing materials and reports. This is a hands-on, creative, and highly collaborative position that requires both strong storytelling instincts and organizational discipline. The ideal candidate is comfortable being in the middle of shelter operations one moment and drafting a public-facing publication the next.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of experience in communications, marketing, digital media, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience or knowledge of how to manage organizational social media accounts (professional or organizational, not personal)
Strong writing skills with the ability to adapt voice and tone across channels and audiences
Experience capturing and editing photos and short videos using a smartphone or digital camera
Comfort working in an active shelter environment with animals of varying temperaments
Highly organized, self-directed, and able to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines

Nice To Haves

Experience with content management systems
Familiarity with email marketing platforms
Basic graphic design skills using tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite
Experience in nonprofit, animal welfare, or mission-driven communications
Knowledge of social media analytics and scheduling tools

Responsibilities

Capture original photos, short-form videos, and written stories on-site, including animals, staff, volunteers, adopters, and community engagement activities.
Develop content that is accurate, on-brand, and emotionally resonant with AWLA's audiences
Maintain an organized content library of digital assets for ongoing use by all departments for related communications needs.
Manage all of AWLA’s publicly-facing social media accounts, including Instagram and Facebook.
Draft, schedule, and publish informative and engaging content that promotes AWLA’s broad range of services and activities and helps to drive members of the public to support AWLA through adoption, fostering, volunteering, and donations.
Monitor comments and engagement; respond to community interactions in a timely and brand-consistent manner
Track performance metrics and collaborate with Digital Fundraising Consultant to identify opportunities for donor cultivation and solicitation. Work with Digital Fundraising Consultant and other members of the development team to integrate social media into fundraising campaigns.
Manage all aspects of AWLA’s website and ensure that it meets the current communications needs of all programs, including relevant updates, event listings, blog posts, educational materials, and public releases. Work with program experts to ensure content accuracy, timely publishing, and consistent visual presentation
Contribute content, stories, and images for donor newsletters, annual reports, appeals, and other print or digital materials
Support the editing and proofreading of outgoing communications as needed
Partner with Digital Fundraising consultant to develop content strategy and calendar and capacity to respond to emergent communications needs.
Collaborate closely with development team members and related vendors to support successful implementation of integrated fundraising campaigns.
Oversee process of coordinating with program staff, development, and operations teams to identify and collect stories and upcoming content opportunities for use across communications channels.
Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries.
Facilitate opportunities for AWLA program experts to share information about services, programs, and animal related issues in tv, radio, print media.
Work with operations and development leadership to develop strategy for disseminating releases related to AWLA activities.