Communications and Media Director

SAVE CALIFORNIA SALMON

Job Description

COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA DIRECTOR

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: California or Oregon, Northern California Preferred; Hybrid Remote/In-Person

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Salary: $65,000 - $90,000 DOE; annually with full health benefits

Organization Overview

Save California Salmon (SCS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting California waters, restoring salmon populations, advancing Tribal rights, and supporting community-based environmental advocacy and education. SCS works at the intersection of environmental justice, water policy, fisheries protection, public education, and grassroots organizing to advance long-term ecological and community health throughout California.

Position Summary

The Communications & Media Director leads the creative vision, storytelling strategy, and public-facing communications for Save California Salmon. This position ensures that all media, branding, and outreach efforts effectively amplify community voices, mobilize public engagement, and advance policy and campaign goals. The Communications & Media Director manages the creative team and oversees the development of multimedia content, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Primary Responsibilities

Creative Strategy & Storytelling

• Lead the organization’s creative vision, branding, and narrative strategy
• Develop storytelling frameworks that center community voices and environmental justice
• Align creative outputs with campaign and policy priorities
• Identify opportunities to expand reach, engagement, and impact
  
  

Content Oversight & Production

• Review, approve, and schedule all social media and public-facing content
• Guide development of multimedia content (video, photo, graphics, written materials)
• Ensure consistency in tone, messaging, and quality across platforms
• Collaborate with staff to translate technical and policy work into accessible content
  
  

Team Management & Supervision

• Supervise Social Media Coordinator, Videographer, Event Coordinator, and other Media staff
• Provide direction, feedback, and performance management
• Establish workflows, timelines, and content calendars
• Support team skill development and coordination
  
  

Branding & Communications Materials

• Develop and maintain organizational style guides and branding standards
• Oversee design and production of reports, campaign materials, and outreach tools
• Ensure consistency across digital, print, and event materials
  
  

Media Strategy & Public Engagement

• Coordinate messaging across campaigns, media, and events
• Support media engagement and communications strategy
• Identify opportunities for storytelling through partnerships and campaigns
  
  

Grants, Communications & Strategic Storytelling Support

• Support the Grants Manager by providing program descriptions, communications metrics, outreach materials, media examples, and branding assets for grant proposals and reporting
• Assist the Grants Manager in identifying communications and media funding opportunities aligned with SCS goals
• Coordinate with the Grants Manager to ensure grant-funded communications, outreach, educational materials, and media commitments are completed on time
• Supervise development of grant-related media content, including newsletters, reports, social media campaigns, videos, presentations, and public education materials
• Track and document communications outcomes, public engagement, event participation, media reach, and storytelling impacts for grant reporting
• Assist in highlighting funder-supported work through media, public outreach, events, and community storytelling while ensuring appropriate recognition and compliance with grant requirements
• Ensure communications and media activities align with grant commitments, organizational branding, and long-term strategic goals
  
  

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in communications, media, or creative direction
• Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to clarity and detail
• Strong internal communication and collaboration skills
• Strong understanding of storytelling, branding, and digital media strategy
• Experience managing and mentoring staff
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong organizational and project management skills
  
  

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• A degree in graphic design, science communications, or equivalent program
• Basic graphic design and formatting skills (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite, or similar)
• Experience with website management platforms (e.g., WordPress or similar CMS)
• Familiarity with environmental, water, or justice issues
• Familiarity with California State Water Policy
• A background in brand identity & color scheme development
• Experience in nonprofit, environmental, or advocacy organizations
• Familiarity with salmon, water policy, or environmental justice issues
• Basic understanding of analytics and performance tracking
• Experience supporting campaign-based communications
• Experience working with tribes and/or tribal communities
  
  

Work Environment and Travel

Full-time position with an expected workload of approximately 40 hours per week. This position is either fully remote or hybrid/remote. Occasional in-person meetings or events are required. Must have reliable internet access. Flexibility to adjust workload based on campaign priorities and organizational needs. Ability to meet consistent deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during campaign pushes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Save California Salmon is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace. We strongly encourage applicants from Tribal communities, communities of color, rural communities, LGBTQ communities, and other historically underrepresented groups to apply.