Marketing and Communications Coordinator

About the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm)

The Ecological Farming Association has been a leading force for organic agriculture and just food systems since the 1980’s. Its annual EcoFarm Conference, now in its 44th year, is the largest sustainable agriculture gathering west of the Mississippi, and a flagship event for the food movement. This conference and our programming are at the cutting edge of the intersection between on-the-ground ecology-minded solutions and big-picture visioning of the directions needed to address our multiple and intersecting challenges. EcoFarm is at the fulcrum of a pivotal moment in providing practical solutions for farmers to address and mitigate the climate crisis, while addressing the injustices that have led us to this place. Our programs bring together a diversity of stakeholders in California food production to promote grassroots leadership and regional alternatives  to industrial agriculture. Through EcoFarm’s consistent quality of programs, we have developed a far-reaching network having reached hundreds of thousands of farmers and professionals over 43 years. To learn more about the mission and programs of EcoFarm visit our website at www.eco-farm.org.

Job Description

EcoFarm is seeking a  Marketing and Communications Coordinator to lead its communications and marketing efforts. This is a unique opportunity to shape one of the most influential events and beloved organizations in the food and farm movement, while working closely with key leaders in the field in California. EcoFarm is a vibrant, welcoming, and fun place to work, with a strong sense of camaraderie among its many stakeholders.

In practical terms, this position is responsible for all marketing activities related to the annual EcoFarm conference, regular communications, the website, as well as setting strategic communication priorities. The Marketing and Communications Coordinator reports to the Executive Director.  As a small organization, EcoFarm staff are required to engage in daily communication activities while setting broader strategic goals. The ideal candidate will have a combination of experience in strategic communications, marketing, website management, event planning, and graphic design.  We recognize that not all candidates have this set of skills, and we will support candidates in their professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Implement communications strategies that broaden the influence of EcoFarm’s programs and educational opportunities with affiliated organizations, industry leaders, and event participants

• Develop messaging, branding, and promotions for programs, events, and the organization at large

• Oversee the planning, design, budget, production and distribution of all promotional material

• Create our conference brochure and program using Canva

• Oversee social media strategy and output across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Mighty Networks

• Manage cultivation of influencer relationships w/ journalists and media outlets by aligning with them as it pertains to our mission and engaging them in EcoFarm to amplify our work.

• Produce monthly e-newsletters and maintain a list of ~14,000 e-news subscribers and 5,000 jobs list subscribers.

• Create and maintain systems for tracking and reporting media placement and contacts.

• Develop and carry out benefits and ad placement for sponsors, maintaining high standards in sponsor outreach and communications.

• Implement best practices in digital strategy and automation to grow our email lists and move our audience into action.

• Maintain and expand relationships with communications staff of affiliated organizations and coordinate regular updates to key partners and constituencies.

• Support the executive director and staff in fundraising, sponsorship, program development and organizational development as needed.

General

• Support Executive Director with information needed to make decisions on programming

• Contribute to organizational planning and process improvement tasks

• Other activities as needed

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in marketing and/or communications. Event management or related marketing experience.

• Experience working with electronic, print, and social media

• Knowledge of website design and experience 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Well organized and skilled multi-tasker

• Proficient in Canva, Google Suite (primarily Google Sheets and Docs), MS Office, RegFox, and Airtable and a CRM database, such as NeonCRM.

• High personal standards for the quality and timeliness of work, proactive problem solver, and collaborative team player

• Commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression work

• Commitment and sophisticated understanding of sustainable food systems and agriculture

• Fluency in Spanish preferred but not required

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion or physical ability. We believe that social justice and racial equity are core elements of the food system and agriculture we promote. As such, we are looking for candidates who have meaningful experiences and contributions in these areas, especially as they relate to food and farming.

• Examining and changing our policies and practices to break down institutionalized white supremacy in our organizational practices, culture, and programs;

• Creating space and building capacity for learning and dialogue about racism and racial justice in agriculture and the food system among our community;

• Amplifying the voices of our black, indigenous, women, LGBTQAI+ and people of color allies in the food system.

Location

This position is remote, requiring Zooming in for weekly staff meetings, occasional in person  meetings (held in the Santa Cruz and/or the Bay Area), and work hours between 9am-5pm pst, with some exceptions. This position requires attendance and onsite support at the annual EcoFarm Conference, typically held the third week of January in Pacific Grove, CA.

Start Date

Sept 1, 2024 

Compensation & Hours

 $30/hour @ 30-hours/week from Sept 1- Oct, 40 hours/week from November-January.   Seasonal staff position.  40 hours or five days of paid sick leave per year. 

To apply 

Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@eco-farm.org with the subject line “Marketing and Communications  Coordinator Application.” Priority will be given to applications submitted by July 24, 2024.