Community Engagement Specialist - Arboretum

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

1d•$45,550 - $47,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Engagement Specialist will manage a diverse range of Arboretum communications and revenue-generating programs including supervising student employees leading to increasing positive community engagement, philanthropic participation, increased revenue generation, and better departmental fulfillment of mission-based objectives.

Requirements

Outstanding writing and verbal communication skills along with strong proofreading skills.
Ability to maintain clear and accurate records.
Education or experience in marketing, writing, university communications, fundraising, event planning or related areas.
Ability to work independently and be flexible with frequent interruptions.
Ability to collaborate and work well with others in a team setting.
Attention to detail with an aesthetic eye, able to handle money accurately.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
Computer skills: skilled in Microsoft office and Microsoft teams suite of products, Adobe products such as InDesign and Spark, and web-based design tools such as Canva.
Flexible, self-starter, innovative, willing to learn, professionalism and a positive attitude.
Basic familiarity with horticulture, plants, and trees.

Nice To Haves

Interest in and enthusiasm for the natural world.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Arboretum’s donor-member program. Evaluate, strategize, develop, and execute effective methods to increase and retain number of members, quality of member engagement and appreciation, and communication effectiveness. Ensure accurate on-going communication with members about member status, renewal windows, and member appreciation.
Serve as primary liaison with Arboretum Advisory Board’s Development Committee.
Strategize, develop, and execute Arboretum philanthropic campaigns, both annual appeals, membership campaigns, and special topic campaigns. Collaborate with JMU advancement/development staff to generate fundraising materials for JMU-initiated campaigns such as Giving Day. Coordinate with advancement division staff.
Train, supervise, and deploy a team of student employees in work-based learning experiences to assist with jobs tasks as appropriate to their skills and goals.
Represent the Arboretum as spokesperson. Attend local outreach events to drive increased visitation, awareness of resources, and membership/donations.
Use writing expertise to compose meaningful and thematically-coherent newsletters and other promotional pieces in a variety of formats.
Produce the public communications of the Arboretum, including a quarterly newsletter, other emails and updates, event registration confirmations, event flyers, maps and kiosk displays, etc.
Serve as Arboretum webmaster and ensure website serves as an extension of departmental mission and tool for pursuing departmental objectives as well as ensuring compliance with laws and University policies.
Oversee the Arboretum’s social media presence (Facebook and Instagram) in accordance with University standards.
Write and place ads through multiple media formats including television, radio, web-based, newspaper/magazines, and local distribution of flyers.
Create photographs of Arboretum facilities and events for promotional and record-keeping use.
Plan, organize, and manage events designed for revenue generation, donor engagement, member and volunteer appreciation including the Litten lecture and Patron Recognition Event.
Track Arboretum usage and assist director with development of annual report and public-facing impact report.
Manage the business aspects of the spring and fall plant sales. Coordinate with other staff to maintain an accurate and up-to-date plant sale inventory, run the online plant sale and facilitate customer service in making payments and order accuracy. Ensure accurate financial transactions.
Maintain the Arboretum master calendar and use JMU event management system for integrating with campus calendar.
Manage and communicate with public about facility rentals and event reservations including weddings. Complete reservations and maintain up-to-date publications.
Manage inventory of our small gift shop and micro-art gallery for local artists including communicating with current and potential vendors and featured artists.
Front-line customer service for Arboretum visitors in person, online, and via email.
Answer phone calls, take messages, and direct calls professionally and courteously.
Assist education center visitors with questions and facilitate purchases with excellent customer service.