Communication Specialist

POSITION: Communications Specialist

SUPERVISOR: Administrative Manager

LOCATION: Rocky Boy, Montana

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

GREAT PLAINS VETERANS SERVICES CENTER (GPVSC)

GPVSC is a non-profit organization that provides safe and reliable transportation to Veterans who require assistance traveling to and from VA health care facilities and authorized non-VA health care appointments. These services are for Veterans from all military branches and all age brackets. We currently have four offices serving Veterans across the state of Montana. The GPVSC main office is in North Central Montana, in Box Elder with three additional offices in Browning, Big Timber, and Scobey. These are highly rural areas that can lead to our Veterans having difficulty obtaining VA health care. Additional Veterans Support Services are available at our Main Office located in Box Elder (Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation). This assistance includes but is not limited to local transportation for overall daily needs, counseling services for such things as PTSD, as well as direct assistance for groceries, utilities, and temporary housing. GPVSC assist in home needs for the elderly, provide firewood for those in need of heating, funeral and gravesite assistance for Fallen Warriors. We also have temporary employment opportunities for unemployed Veterans and Veterans just coming out of the service to help them acclimate back to civilian life.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Communication Specialist oversees the communication efforts for Great Plains Veterans Services Center (GPVSC) to Veterans, employees, volunteers, donors and stakeholders. Assists in event planning and coordinating and coordinates the development of GPVSC projects and business endeavors. Works with management to maintain and create a positive public image and assists with fundraising in the local communities and outreach to anywhere there are potential stakeholders. Works in a manner that supports the mission of GPVSC to ensure that daily operations, procedures, and standards are maintained in accordance with federal, tribal, and state laws and regulations. This position works at the direction of the Great Plains Veterans Services Center Administrative Manager and indirectly for other managers.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate and arrange public events, lectures or speeches, contests, or exhibits to communicate the benefits of GPVSC programs and services.

Assist in planning, developing, and managing fundraising plans for GPVSC programs.

Assist in planning and directing the development and editing of communication, working with managers and Executive Director, to maintain favorable public or stakeholder perceptions of GPVSC programs, services, vision, and accomplishments.

Assist all GPVSC locations in promoting community awareness of programs, services, fundraising campaigns, and positive community relations.

Assist in determining policies for media and communication in coordination with management.

Respond to requests for information from the media with approval from the Administrative Manager

Assist with the development of objectives or needs of GPVSC to develop public relations strategies that will influence donors, volunteers, veterans, and create a positive public opinion of the program and services provided.

Assist in managing, planning, developing, and editing social media, website, collaborate newsletters, press releases, brochures, fundraisers, or other documents, for internal or external audiences.

Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives in communities where GPVSC provides services.

Assist with planning, developing, and scheduling posting online content on GPVSC website and other social media sites, consistent with GPVSC mission and vision to promote services offered.

Assist in developing relationships with all GPVSC locations and confer with managers to advise on public relations decisions, identify trends and key group interests or concerns.

Develop plans or materials to communicate organizational activities beneficial to veterans, employees, volunteers, donors and other stakeholders.

Coordinate with newspapers, advertising resources and Administrative Manager to arrange campaigns in all types of media for promotion of products or services.

Assist in planning and conducting market or public opinion research to test ideas or determine the potential for success, communicating results to management.

Assistant in preparing reports to measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies.

Collects and analyzes data on Veteran demographics, opinions, preferences, and needs to identify potential products and services for service areas and satellite locations. May collaborate with marketing professionals, tribal members, local and state officials, and other professionals.

Attend staff meetings to provide management with information concerning the promotion, distribution, and design of GPVSC products or services.

Assist in daily office procedures, such as, answering phones, greeting walk-ins, answering questions, making appointments, and providing customer service.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of GPVSC mission and goals.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS and ABILITIES

Knowledge of general customer service and professional office principles.

Knowledge of public relations principles and strategies.

Skills in written and verbal communication with the ability to effectively communicate with people from varied backgrounds.

Skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and ability to quickly learn Adobe.

Skills in photography and videography

Ability to build rapport and establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans, staff, donors, and representatives of community agencies.

Ability to work independently and in a team environment. As a small organization operating in a very dynamic environment, a significant amount of flexibility and teamwork is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Four (4) years of experience in public relations, communications, marketing or another directly related area.

Preferred: Formal education in public relations, communications, marketing or another directly related field.

Any combination of experience and training which provide the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Must hold a valid Montana Driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is mainly performed on a computer, up to 8 hours per day.

Frequent interactions with clients, community members and GPVSC staff.

Occasional day travel required and some overnight stays.

Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrates injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.