Communications Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $24-26/hr

Position Summary

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 AWLAs 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.

Key Responsibilities:

Content Creation & Field Collection

• 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.

Social Media Management

• Manage all of AWLAs publicly-facing social media accounts, including Instagram and Facebook.
• Draft, schedule, and publish informative and engaging content that promotes AWLAs 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.

Website

• Manage all aspects of AWLAs 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

Donor & Print Communications

• 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

Collaboration & Coordination

• 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.

Community relations

• 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.

Qualifications:

Required

• 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

Preferred

• 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

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a fully onsite position based in Arlington, VA
• Regular presence in shelter is required for content collection; must be comfortable working around animals, including dogs, cats, and small animals
• Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required for events