The University of Lynchburg, a private regional university, located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia is seeking a full-time Outreach, Communications, and Events Coordinator to join our Claytor Nature Center team.
The Outreach, Communications, and Events Coordinator reports to, is supervised by, and evaluated by the Director, Claytor Nature Center. The evaluation of work performance will be ongoing and will be carried out by the Director. It will include the specific duties and responsibilities of this position description plus employee attitude and general working behavior.
Job Type: Full-time, Benefits Eligible, Non-Exempt (hourly)
Job Purpose: This staff position will increase public awareness of and interest in the Claytor Nature Center. This role would directly advance the Center’s mission which is to engage our community in the enjoyment, appreciation, and study of our diverse natural habitats in the Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions, toward the advancement of the well-being of all people and the environment.
The Coordinator will engage the University of Lynchburg, Bedford, and broader communities in the enjoyment, appreciation, and study of the habitats and environment at Claytor. The Coordinator will foster community engagement, collaboration with local organizations, and opportunities for revenue-generating use of Center facilities. The Coordinator will help plan, execute, and staff special events.
Specific Job Duties:
- Increase community awareness through planning and hosting public events and programs.
- Plan events – coordinate volunteers, identify and communicate with vendors and sponsors (with approval by the Director), and handle logistics and invoicing.
- Share responsibility for staffing special events with Director and other Center staff.
- Design and create marketing and communications materials and content for the promotion of the Center.
- Manage the Center’s social media presence.
- Design marketing materials in coordination with the University marketing and communications department.
- Maintain a calendar of events and periodically update the website with information relevant to outreach and events.
- Collaborate with other Center staff to create newsletters for members and general public.
- Develop and pursue community partnerships and sponsorships with local organizations and vendors.
- In coordination with the Director, determine organizations and businesses to propose for partnerships and sponsorships for programs, events and operations.
- In coordination with the Director, identify organizations for volunteer opportunities for events or ongoing research or education projects.
- Increase sales and use of the Center facilities for private programs, rentals, and lodging accommodations.
- Promote and facilitate booking and logistics for photoshoots, camping, lodging, special events.
- In coordination with the Events Director, help staff weddings and special events.
- Coordinate volunteers for the Center.
- Liaise with departments at the University to organize student workdays.
- In coordination with the Groundskeeper, organize trail work days and property clean-ups.
- Coordinate volunteers for special events hosted at Claytor.
- Plan volunteer appreciation events and workdays.
- Manage membership program.
- Supervise interns and/or Graduate Assistants.
Hourly Rate Range: $17.85 – $20.40/hour
Benefits: Generous paid vacation, personal days, paid sick time and family leave, comprehensive insurance (medical, dental, vision, etc.) and retirement plans, flexible spending account, tuition remission, life and long-term disability insurance, and more. Learn more about employment benefits at the University of Lynchburg.
Schedule: Generally 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (7.5 hours/day with some evenings and weekends to meet needs of the department may be required)
Experience/Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in developing relationships for partnerships.
- Marketing experience for nonprofits and/or for-profit organizations.
- Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal.
Physical Demands:
- Some prolonged standing/setting.
- Ability to lift 15 lbs.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be willing to take initiative and have the ability to work effectively with people from all walks of life.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working in a business setting is an asset.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, marketing, communications, event planning) or equivalent experience
Work Remotely: Some remote work permitted
How to Apply
Submit an employment application and email or mail a résumé, and contact information of three professional references, to:
University of Lynchburg
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
The selected candidate must successfully pass a background check that is satisfactory to the University.
We seek candidates who are committed to the University of Lynchburg’s efforts to create an environment that fosters a student-centered environment, develops the breadth of knowledge associated with liberal education, respects and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, values and celebrates diverse faith traditions, and sustains close working relationships among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
The University of Lynchburg is committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from persons of color, women, Indigenous/aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University of Lynchburg community.
The University of Lynchburg is an equal opportunity employer.
