About River Management Society
The River Management Society (RMS) is a national nonprofit professional organization whose mission is to support professionals who study, protect, and manage North America’s rivers. Our roots are in the former Interagency Whitewater Committee (est. 1972), the 1996 merger of the American River Management Society (est. 1988) and River Federation (est. 1985). Dedicated to holistic river management, our diverse membership includes federal, state, and local agency employees, educators, researchers, consultants, organizations and citizens. River Management Society advances the profession of river management by providing a unique variety of forums for sharing information about the appropriate use and management of river resources. One of our primary strategic tenets is to expand an understanding of rivers through networking and the sharing of river recreation, science and management experiences. Learn more at www.river-management.org
Programs we offer include: the RMS River Training Center and its related workshops (including Wild & Scenic Rivers management), professional development trainings and mentorship opportunities, the National Rivers Project (www.nationalriversproject.com), the River Studies & Leadership Certificate, and a library of hydropower project summaries. RMS publishes a quarterly journal and keeps in touch with members through its emailed RMS News Digest and moderated listserve.
We are thrilled to have created and grown these projects, and now seek to align and communicate our successes to our members and partners. RMS is also at the doorstep of a few important projects in 2020: rollout of a new RMS logo, review and analysis of a survey seeking input on the value of our programs and membership; and the platforming of the May 12-15, 2020 River Management Symposium in Richmond as a guide for symposiums held in the foreseeable future.
Job Summary
RMS is conducting an audit of our website and developing a marketing plan that frames near-term initiatives whose communications components will be extremely important. We are therefore seeking an individual to provide input on the plan, establish plans and protocols for a new communications system and calendar, and execute the plan for a long enough period of time to show the system works, adjusting as needed.
Responsibilities & Scope of Work – to be completed by November 30, 2020
▪ Develop an annual communication plan that will enable RMS to engage and sustain partner relationships. This plan will include o Drafting and distributing announcements and press releases; edit and distribute the RMS News Digest; moderate the RMS Listserve and contribute one article to each issue of the RMS Journal – Summer, Fall, Winter 2020. o Support results of web review to refresh website organization and update content links. o Support River Training Center and National Rivers Project communication needs.
▪ Contribute to a rollout plan for the new RMS logo
▪ Work with the 2021 River Management Society Marketing Committee to enhance outreach before, during and in post-Symposium messaging.
▪ Attend RMS Symposium virtual presentations – May 12-15 2020
▪ Draft, field and analyze results from surveys of past and current members and partners.
Minimum Qualifications
An ideal candidate should have a track record of utilizing communications skills to further an organization’s goals through a minimum of three to five years of relevant work experience. Experience with river management and stewardship history and policy, ecosystem protection, resource management, and/or conservation is desired.
Strategic Communications
▪ Designing and implementing a communications plan for an organization that advances overall objectives
by highlighting high-priority projects.
▪ Working with or for media organizations.
▪ Crafting communications that are inclusive.
▪ Ability to absorb contexts of river management and stewardship history and policy, ecosystem protection,
resource management, and conservation.
Branding, Marketing and Sales
▪ Growing an organization’s brand awareness.
▪ Generating creative and compelling content.
▪ Leveraging marketing and communications to sell (i.e., raise funds in support of) programs, products and
services.
▪ Promoting a calendar of events.
▪ Organizing visual (photos, videos) assets.
Important Technical Skills
▪ Excellent writing, editing and speaking skills.
▪ Familiarity with Adobe programs, including Photoshop, Lightroom, and InDesign.
▪ Strong proficiency with WordPress, website editing and management.
▪ Experience using social media personally and professionally.
▪ Photography and videography creation and editing skills.
Important Personal Qualities
▪ Self-motivated, able to work remotely, both outside of a structured work environment and as part of a
collaborative network.
▪ Ready to share a funny story.
▪ Able to accept constructive criticism. Detailed oriented, with excellent organizational and office skills.
▪ Interested in public lands, climate resilience and the nexus of outdoor work and play
Compensation & Benefits
▪ The term of the consultant opportunity is up to ten months. We hope to continue to support this position
beyond December 2020.
▪ Compensation is $12.50 – $15.00 per hour for 10-15 hours per week, depending on candidate experience.
▪ Expenses for travel to the annual RMS Board meeting (Fall 2020) will be included in addition to the awarded
contract per approved federal travel allowances for lodging and per-diem.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a cover letter describing interest and relevant experience, resume, and two professional
references, to executivedirector@river-management.org with RMS Communications Coordinator as the subject line.
Applications will be considered beginning April 10, 2020 until the position is filled.
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply