DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Multimedia Specialist ideates, strategizes, collaborates, and ultimately executes on a variety of storytelling projects about Defenders of Wildlife and the wildlife and wildlands we work to protect. This newly created position will help Defenders’ expand our offering of multimedia content through vertical video, audio, social-first content, and multimedia management. These storytelling efforts will help engage new audiences on TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms. The Multimedia Specialist will help mobilize members and supporters, increase accessibility, and explore emerging platforms to broaden our constituency.

This position will support any combination of: conservation programs, advocacy, marketing, press outreach, and fundraising. Interdepartmental collaboration will be key, as will the ability to create and produce a large quantity of high-quality original pieces of hub multimedia content.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate closely with both Communications and Integrated Marketing staff, especially the social media team, to deliver targeted content
• Create original content for Defenders of Wildlife’s programs, branding, advocacy, and fundraising needs, including, but not limited to vertical video and audio.
• Create content for TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms as needed.
• Strategize with Defenders’ staff on the style, length and type of multimedia content for a variety of mediums.
• Brainstorm, pitch, generate, and optimize content for projects, campaign, and coalitions, designed to achieve a specific goal and reach a target audience.
• Collaborate across departments to source stories, review scripts and produce content rooted in science.
• Further establish Defenders as thought leaders and visualize our strategic plan.
• Train and work with staff and partners using best practices for capturing content.
• Acquire and manage video from outside sources (e.g., stock sites, freelancers, and partners). 
• Help maintain Defenders’ video database; collect and catalogue multimedia resources across multiple regional offices and departments.
  • Archive and store video assets using standardized system in the Media Den
  • Ensure all video assets across the organization are consolidated, accessible, and tagged within the Media Den
• Edit, upload, and package webinars and assets with required deliverables including, but not limited to, captions, caption files, transcriptions, thumbnails, descriptions, titles…
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience: 4 years of relevant experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 3

Administrative

1. Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
2. Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

Communication

1. Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
2. Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
3. Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
4. Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments
5. Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

Critical Thinking

1. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
2. Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
3. Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
4. Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work
5. Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
6. Strategic thinker with the ability to take high-level strategy and translate into relatable points and action steps.

Project Management

1. Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
2. Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
3. Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
4. Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
5. Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
6. Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion

Coalition and Community Engagement

1. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.
2. Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate policy issues impacting wildlife and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
3. Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Multimedia Specialist

1. Fluency with multimedia editing software and Creative Cloud including at least several of the following: Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, Express.
2. Demonstrated familiarity with social media video (e.g., TikTok and Instagram)
3. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage and reprioritize multiple projects simultaneously
4. Strong interpersonal, interviewing, and directing skills
5. Creative problem solving in a highly collaborative work environment
6. Being a non-territorial teammate
7. Being open to feedback
8. Proven desire to upskill, evolve, and be an early adapter
9. Experience with audio capture and editing
10. Independent drive to ensure project success
11. Using analytics to drive strategy
12. Testing, iterating, potentially failing, and learning from the whole process
13. The ability to conceptualize and actualize engaging video content
14. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
15. Experience with managing time, projects, and expectations.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.

Please be advised this position is union-eligible.