Title: Public Relations & Media Strategist
Manager: Co-Director of Outreach & Communications
Location: Warrenton, Va
Job Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

The Public Relations and Media Strategist is an experienced, high-energy, mission-driven PR practitioner able to identify and leverage opportunities to amplify and elevate recognition of PEC’s work in the Virginia Piedmont region and beyond. The role requires a deep understanding of a holistic approach to communications, ensuring our messages resonate across diverse platforms and audiences. As part of the Outreach and Communications team, this innovative self-starter will collaborate with other team members to develop and deploy multi-channel communications strategies that integrate and strengthen our digital presence, relationships and interface with local, state, and national press, and traditional communications work.

Working within a collaborative environment, the public and media relations strategist will work toward advancing the following communications goals:

1. Build a network of reliable activists, donors and members
2. Influence decision-makers to reach better outcomes
3. Increase positive awareness of PEC and build support for a full range of PEC programs
4. Change behavior and foster an ethic of good stewardship of the Piedmont’s natural resources, historic and cultural resources, and the environment as a whole.
Areas of Responsibility

The Public Relations and Media Strategist will report to PEC’s co-director of outreach and communications, collaborate with the communication team and PEC field staff, and support the work of our external PR consultants and other vendors. Examples of responsibilities and activities include:

• Work with PEC communications and field staff to proactively identify, build and deploy integrated, multi-channel communications campaign strategies and opportunities that support advocacy goals.
• Support message development for advocacy initiatives, conservation and habitat restoration activities, and advancement efforts. 
• Research, write, disseminate, and coordinate with PEC staff on production of diverse media tools, including, but not limited to, press pitches, press events, editorial board memos, press releases, media advisories, media statements, op-eds, and paid media.
• Cultivate strong relationships and facilitate staff interviews with members of local, regional, and national press in order to secure earned media placements and positive media mentions, and that position PEC as the go-to resource for media representatives and entities.
• Train/advise PEC staff members on media interviewing, response, and relationship building.
• Assist in drafting, editing, and/or proofing of email action alerts, web content, printing and digital newsletters, social media posts, annual report, and other informational pieces. 
• Research and write for content, including feature stories and informational material for PEC newsletters, social media channels, print/digital publications, and website.
• Collaborate with communications staff and cohorts at environmental and conservation partners in joint coalition efforts.
• Edit and proof copy with advancement, communications and outreach, and other program staff using AP Style Guidelines and with an eye toward accuracy, clarity, and messaging in line with PEC’s brand.

This position will be based out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA, with hybrid consideration and travel to locations within PEC’s nine-county service area, Richmond and the D.C. metro area (on average a few times a month). Occasional attendance at night or weekend events may be require

Required Qualifications

• Strong work ethic and commitment to PEC’s core values, mission and vision.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles.
• Four to seven years of professional experience in public relations, media relations, and/or communications. 
• Demonstrated understanding and application of strategic public relations and media relations principles.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing successful communications / public relations / media plans.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with ability to convey clear and compelling messages for varied internal and external audiences.
• Proficiency applying AP style and editorial rules.
• Strong editing and proofreading ability.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Ability to work on numerous deadline projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative abilities, including the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and work styles.
• Reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Accreditation in Public Relations.
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in public relations, strategic communications, media relations or a related field
• Strong relationships with local, regional, and national reporters and bloggers.
• Understanding of nonprofit communications concepts, best practices, procedures and analytics.
• Communications experience in public policy, with an emphasis on environmental, conservation, and/or land use issues.
• Experience in campaigning, organizing or advocacy.
• Working knowledge of local land use planning and zoning in Virginia.
• Working knowledge of conservation policies and conservation easements.

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. Position salary range of $28.85 to $38.46 per hour (equivalent to $60,000 – $80,000 annually), commensurate with experience and demonstrated outcomes.

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 73% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
  12 paid holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every
• 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
• Travel Expense Reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.