The Preservation Society of Charleston seeks a Community Outreach Coordinator to broaden its geographic and demographic reach in the Charleston region. The Community Outreach Coordinator will represent the PSC’s core values in the community while fostering civic engagement, stressing inclusivity, ethical stewardship of cultural heritage, and good governance. The ideal individual will have exceptional communication skills and will be comfortable working with a close-knit team to create targeted messaging to constituents with the objective of protecting the historic and cultural resources of the greater Charleston region.
About the Preservation Society of Charleston
Founded in 1920, the Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC) is the oldest grassroots preservation organization in the nation. The Society is more resilient than ever as it enters its second century of recognizing, protecting, and advocating for the Lowcountry’s historic places, while serving as a strong advocacy leader for citizens concerned about preserving Charleston’s distinctive character, quality of life, and diverse neighborhoods. For more information on the Preservation Society of Charleston, please visit preservationsociety.org
Key Roles and Responsibilities
In addition to the key roles and responsibilities below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about the PSC’s mission and will be a team-player who is able to perform a diversity of roles.
- Developing strategic relationships with diverse stakeholders and coalitions throughout the Charleston area (neighborhood representatives, community advocates, business leaders, elected officials, educators, etc.) by:
- Establishing professional rapport with peers/colleagues at partner organizations and institutions in the community
- Attending and representing the PSC at regular meetings of neighborhood associations and community organizations, as well as public meetings as needed
- Conducting informational presentations and/or developing written comments
- Conduct outreach on issues impacting livability in the Charleston area by:
- Developing written and oral comments for projects of high public interest, participating in public hearings, and conveying relevant information to stakeholder groups
- Collecting, analyzing, and sharing data on potential impacts of project and policy proposals to the PSC’s members and supporters to encourage public input with a particular focus on engaging traditionally underrepresented communities
- Organizing and facilitating civic engagement activities (workshops, listening sessions, lectures, educational events, community meetings, etc.)
- Help strengthen external communications strategy by:
- Proactively suggesting issues/events to promote via email, social media, etc. and seeking out opportunities to diversify our online presence
- Assisting with implementation of key PSC Advocacy priorities
- Expand the scope of existing PSC initiatives and programs by:
- Supporting the Director of Public Affairs, Director of Preservation & Planning and Manager of Preservation Initiatives in identifying opportunities for expansion of research and interpretive initiatives
- Sharing information about the organization’s mission, membership, and initiatives and programs in formal and informal settings
- Assisting the development and execution of comprehensive member engagement strategy, including identifying volunteer opportunities to support PSC
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Demonstrated experience in a communications, community outreach, or development role
- Must be a good communicator and engaging when discussing complex topics in a variety of face-to-face settings
- Exceptional writing and editing skills
- Comfortable with public speaking in a variety of settings, including public meetings and neighborhood gatherings.
- Demonstrated proactive organizational skills
- Experience and knowledge of marketing (including web-based tools), media, and press engagement
- High level of proficiency working with CMSs (e.g., WordPress), SEO, and web platform analytics
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong aptitude for developing compelling and fact-based messages and narratives and creating highly targeted messaging for diverse stakeholder groups
- A collaborative team member who is proactive, flexible, and able to manage and prioritize a variety of tasks while working in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work as part of a small team as well as independently
- Interest in preservation, urban planning principles, land use policy, and commitment to PSC’s mission
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and basic graphic layout/design
- Ability to generate creative ideas for presenting information through a variety of media to reach targeted audiences
All qualified candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, and two writing or relevant work samples via email to Amanda Coté, Director of Finance and Operations, at acote@preservationsociety.org with Community Outreach Coordinator in the subject heading. No telephone calls, please.
PSC Full-Time Employee Benefits
- 15 days annual paid vacation leave
- 6 days annual paid sick leave
- 10 annual paid holidays
- Company-matched retirement fund
- Group health, vision, and dental insurance plans
- Generous professional development opportunities
- Parking
Salary Range
$45,000 to $55,000 based on experience
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Preservation Society of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.