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Coordinator, Communications

Coordinator, Communications
Organization: Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI)
Location: Washington, DC
Date Posted: 10/08/2025

Position: Coordinator, Communications

Supervisor: Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement

Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid)

Status: Fixed Term (approx. 1-year), Full Time, Non-Exempt from Overtime. Possibility of extension based on funding and performance.


ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) is a non-profit leader dedicated to advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. A key driver of SFI’s success is its ability to engage diverse communities to deliver across its four pillars: Standards, Conservation, Community, and Education. At SFI, we aim to foster a culture where everyone feels valued, empowered, and supported in advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.

Initiatives of SFI, Project Learning Tree® and Project Learning Tree Canada are committed to advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways, using trees and forests as windows on the world. We offer a lifetime of learning from early childhood through adulthood through our award-winning curriculum resources, programs for young adults to explore forests and green careers, and professional development for educators. Together, we are growing future forest and conservation leaders.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Communications Coordinator will leverage the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s (SFI) brand positioning across all communications and marketing efforts, with particular emphasis on drafting social media content and content creation. This role will also support tradeshow logistics and shipping for external events in the U.S. The ideal candidate has professional communications experience, researching and drafting content across a variety of platforms and audiences; the ability to effectively plan and meet deadlines; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; and an interest in sustainability, conservation, forestry, and/or environmental education.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Written Communications for SFI, PLT, and PLT Canada (70% of role)

  • Outline, draft, and edit social media
  • Outline, draft, and edit press releases, blogs, and articles
  • Create and promote campaign sharing toolkits
  • Draft, edit, and update webpages in WordPress
  • Draft, edit, and update emails in Mailchimp
  • French translation skills for quick responses on social media and proofing resources

Project & Relationship Management (15% of role)

  • Lead biweekly social media meetings, proactively sharing agendas, recapping notes, and action items
  • Share meeting notes and coordinate project deliverables and deadlines with members of the communications team
  • Support partner and advertising research
  • Support metrics collection and research for factsheet and webpage updates

Tradeshow Support (15%)

  • Support for staff attending external conferences, including processing of sponsorship forms and invoices, and coordinating details with the staff attending
  • Maintain detailed event timelines, task lists, and checklists to ensure all milestones are met
  • Organize and oversee packing, shipping, and receiving of booth materials, promotional items, and equipment
  • Maintain accurate inventory of event materials and coordinate replenishment as needed

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will not initially have direct employee supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

SFI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements include the ability to work from a desk at a computer for prolonged periods of time, and the ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

This position requires occasional travel to the U.S. and Canada, up to 25% of time.

WORK LOCATION

This is a hybrid role based in Washington, D.C. This role, along with all other employees located within commuting distance of Washington, D.C., will be required to work from the office two days per week, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays as designated in-office days. For the remaining days of the week, you may choose to either work from the office or remotely from your home. Additional in-person days may be required for special events or busy periods. SFI reserves the right to increase in-person days to three or more days per week in the future.

WHAT YOU BRING

Education and Experience

  • College or University Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Sustainability, or a related field required
  • 3+ years of professional writing experience required, preferably nonprofit communications
  • Demonstrated professional writing skills or portfolio required
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Teams/SharePoint required
  • Experience tracking and reporting analytics (Google Analytics/GA4, Sprout Social, Google and Bing Search Advertising, etc.) required
  • Direct experience in the forestry, natural resources, or education sectors preferred
  • French, Spanish, or other language proficiency a plus
  • Digital advertising experience a plus
  • SAF Certified Forester or Candidate Certified Forester credential a plus

Key Competencies

  • Serves as a “utility” player – is able and willing to provide support across the organization, and is seen as accommodating and service-oriented
  • Manages multiple projects and seeks guidance from supervisor to prioritize effectively, as needed
  • Ensures work is done by deadline requested or requests adjustments to deadline if needed
  • Demonstrates professionalism and service-orientation with internal staff and external parties
  • Consistently models behavior in support of a positive, collaborative, and respectful culture
  • Takes initiative to identify what needs to get done even if not asked to do so, seeking guidance before moving forward
  • Is inquisitive and responsive to questions; contributes to an environment where curiosity and asking questions are rewarded
  • Confidently and respectfully communicates with colleagues at all levels of SFI, ensuring that interactions are consistently viewed as positive, professional, and meaningful exchanges
  • Proactively communicates status/keeps stakeholders apprised of key information

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We are committed to equity in our salary practices. The salary range for this position is $54,000–$64,000; the successful candidate’s actual salary will depend on a number of factors, including geography, education/training, experience, time-in-role, management qualifications (as applicable), and skillset.

We are proud to provide our employees with a collaborative, dynamic, and rewarding professional experience, with a competitive compensation and benefits package and growth opportunities. Our benefits include (but are not limited to):

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
  • Retirement plan with generous employer contribution and additional matching contribution up to 11% of your salary, provided you also contribute 4%
  • Paid Time Off – generous vacation policy ranging from 2 to 5 weeks, increasing with experience; all federal holidays, plus 4 floating holidays annually that may be used to observe additional religious, cultural, or traditional occasions that are meaningful to you, and 12 sick days annually
  • Educational assistance and investment in professional development

APPLY

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until we find the right candidate. If you’re interested, apply promptly—early applicants will be prioritized.


OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

SFI is proud to provide our employees with a collaborative, dynamic, and rewarding professional experience, with a competitive compensation and benefits package and growth opportunities. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and being an equal opportunity employer. Our team represents a broad range of cultures, education, disciplines, and work and life experiences, and we strive to leverage these differences in our daily work. We will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe in creating an empowered and supportive team that is committed to advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.

Learn more about SFI Staff Culture, read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, and review our Indigenous Relations Commitment.

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