Community Relations Specialist jobs in Burlington, VT

Description

Reports to:  Community Relations & Marketing Manager

Pay Level: 7 (Full-time, Salaried Exempt)

Supervises: Member Services Assistant, Graphic Designer, Graphic Artist, and Demo Coordinator.  

Purpose: To promote a positive public awareness of Hunger Mountain Co-op through membership programs, marketing, outreach, events and support of operations.

Job Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Provide for an excellent customer service program throughout departments.

Member-Owner Services

• Manage member-owner services including membership recruitment, benefits administration, member engagement programs, discount programs, and database management.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute member events including member-owner appreciation days and new member orientations. 
• Support the Council and General Manager with the planning, coordination, and execution of the annual membership meeting      and council elections.
• Provide administrative support to the General Manager and Co-op Council, as directed.
• Coordinate member mailings including patronage refund, equity statements, and annual meeting announcement. 
• Assist with the development and implementation of educational programs including school visits, off-site presentations, tabling, and workshops.

Events and Outreach

• Assist with the conception, planning, and executing of community events.
• Coordinate and execute the Co-op’s annual shopper survey. 
• Assist with collaboration and partnerships with local organizations. 
• Represent the Co-op at public events, community meetings, and other public relations opportunities. 

Marketing and Communications

• Assist with enhancing the Co-op’s brand and image.
• Assist in the development and execution of the annual marketing plan. 
• Assist with all media advertising.
• Assist with the oversight and content development for marketing and communication channels including e-newsletter, paid media, earned media, website, and social media outlets. 
• Support the design and production of marketing collateral.

Merchandising/Signage

• Assist Community Relations & Marketing Manager in implementation of uniform and effective store signage.
• Support ongoing evaluation of existing signage for consistency and effectiveness.
• Assist with coordinating promotional themes and materials.
• Coordinates and promotes sales programs including co-op deals, co-op basics, member discounts, etc.      

Community Giving

• Manage donations program in accordance with Co-op mission and budget. 

Personnel

• Assist with scheduling hours within budget allocation, review timecards, and inform manager of any performance issues. 
• Take disciplinary action as needed following established policy.
• Hire and train qualified applicants following established policy.
• Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and evaluation. 

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other tasks as assigned by Community Relations & Marketing Manager.
• Ability to follow all safety policies and procedures of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Ability to provide excellent service to customers, vendors, and co-workers and abide by Hunger Mountain Co-op’s service policies.
• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication are essential.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, if necessary, based on business needs. 
• Ability to follow attendance policies of Hunger Mountain Co-op. 
• Ability to be physically present at the Co-op to perform this position's requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to motivate others and work as a team member.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat), Word, and Excel.
• Experience with website management, familiarity with CSS/HTML and technical requirements for website files, and familiarity with technical requirements for social media images.
• Knowledge of video creation and editing.
• Commitment to customer service and public relations, including prompt, courteous problem resolution.
• Accurate and logical data keeping skills and proficiency in Microsoft 365, Word and Excel, and database management.
• Prior experience with marketing, public relations, and outreach activities.
• Experience in project development and management, including special events.
• Experience supervising volunteers.
• Ability to handle several projects simultaneously, to meet deadlines and respond to time-sensitive demands.
• Dependable and able to work weekdays, evenings, weekends as dictated by demands of the department.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and do event set-ups.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of natural and local food issues, current trends in the food industry.
• Familiarity with the local community, including government and community organizations.
• Familiarity and support of co-op principles and mission.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The job duties/responsibilities listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform.

February 2024