Communications Associate

Trellis Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon, seeks a Communications Associate to support its communications and development department. The role involves managing content creation for digital platforms, planning outreach events, and collaborating with the team to enhance brand awareness. Successful candidates will have strong writing skills, experience in digital content, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative environment. Interested candidates should apply by emailing their resume and cover letter to the specified contact.

Qualifications

• Experience in outreach or communications education.
• Strong writing and digital content skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Create content for social media, websites, and newsletters.
• Assist in organizing fundraising events and supporting communications.
• Draft and design print materials for donors.

Skills

Collaborative style

Strong writing skills

Digital content creation

Time management

Basic video editing

Education

Training in communications or outreach

Tools

Canva

Mailchimp

Squarespace

Job description

The communications associate will support the communications and development department to implement strategic activities that increase awareness about Sustainable Northwest (SNW) among key audiences including funders, partners, and decision makers. The communications associate will be enthusiastic about creating and managing content – from concept to publishing – for social media, website, and e-newsletters. The associate will also help plan outreach and fundraising events, and serve as a frontline contact who meets and greets guests and attendees, checks them in, saves their information, etc.

One of the associate’s primary measures of success will be how many more supporters and potential supporters Sustainable Northwest can reach via digital media and in-person events. We envision that the most successful person in this role will have the ability to identify good stories, craft them in a way that fits the message and SNW’s organizational goals, and deliver them in media platforms that fit the story. Not every story should be on Instagram, and not every story goes in our blog. Understanding different communications platform and timelines, and how to leverage them best for that particular story, is crucial.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

The communication associate will identify compelling stories within the organization, and produce written and visual content to tell those stories for various purposes including increasing brand awareness, raising funds, reaching specific communities or partners, supporting program-specific objectives, or other identified needs. Sometimes this content will be handed off from colleagues and the associate will be tasked with deciding whether there is a story and if so, where and how to publish it. Other times, the associate will be creating the idea, plan, and content from scratch including the visuals, copy, decisions on where to share the story, whether it belongs on multiple platforms, etc. The story will lead that decision making, and the associate will collaborate with the director to make the story relevant to our audiences.

Communications-Digital

1. Collaborate to develop content ideas for social media, website, and e-newsletter.
2. Draft copy and create visuals to post to appropriate social media channels – with emphasis on creating engaging content (currently for Instagram and LinkedIn).
3. Help draft copy, format, and send monthly newsletters.
4. Help draft blog posts and other website content.
5. Edit webpages and design new webpages in Squarespace.

Communications-Print

1. Help draft and design (in Canva) print communications to donors including annual report, appeal, letters, and flyers.

Communications - Misc

1. Keep communications collateral organized
2. Create and maintain an editorial content calendar
3. Track quarterly communications metrics
4. Manage photo and video library (including photo/video credits)
5. Orient all staff to communications and development materials and tools
6. Support director as needed on earned media and internal communications to staff and board

Fundraising Events

1. Design digital and print event invitations
2. Mail print event invitations
3. Serve as a frontline point of contact at fundraising events (2-3 large per year in Portland, and 2-4 smaller ones in OR or WA, as time allows) including greetings attendees and checking them in.
4. Support communications at event including help develop slide shows and other multimedia support
5. Support speakers at events by managing audio/visual technology
6. Help manage event websites (registration site, auction site) and event preparation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Training, education, or experience in communications or outreach. This may include a college degree, work experience, or volunteer experience.
2. Highly collaborative style and team ethic
3. Ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
4. Strong writing skills
5. Experience in digital content creation and management (social media, e-newsletters, and websites - Canva, Mailchimp, and Squarespace experience ideal but not required)
6. Basic video editing (simple splicing, plus adding music and text via Canva or other software)
7. Interest in natural resource conservation and local community engagement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Some work experience, volunteer experience, or educational coursework in natural resources, conservation, or environmental topics.

TO APPLY:

Email a single PDF cover letter and resume to Dassi Owens, [e-mail] with 'Communications Associate' in the subject line.

Incomplete submissions received after Jan. 4th, 2026 will not be considered. No phone calls or email inquiries, please. Interview questions will be provided in advance. References will be requested from finalist candidates.