Communications Coordinator

Communications Coordinator
May 2026

The Wildlife Center of Virginia is an internationally acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine, located in Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Center’s mission is to “teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.” Since its founding in 1982, the Center has cared for more than 100,000 wild animals, representing 200 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The current annual caseload averages about 4,600 patients.

The Wildlife Center has a professional staff of about 30 individuals who work together in the veterinary, outreach, operations, and advancement departments. While each of these departments carries out different functions, all staff work closely together as a team to support one another and the Center’s overall mission.

Position Description
The Communications Coordinator plays a key role in advancing the mission of the Wildlife Center by helping teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment. Working closely with the Director of Outreach and other departments, the Communications Coordinator develops and manages a wide range of content that highlights the Center’s work, including website stories, social media posts, newsletters, press releases, and photo and video assets. Through compelling storytelling and audience engagement, the Communications Coordinator helps grow the Center’s reach and strengthen connections with supporters and the public.

Duties and Responsibilities (training provided)

Content Creation and Management
Develop and manage communications content in alignment with the Center’s Strategic Communications Plan.
Coordinate the development and publication of stories that highlight the Center’s work, patients, programs, and impact.
Manage website content, including formatting, publishing, and maintaining a diverse range of mission-driven content.
Create and schedule social media content while staying informed on evolving social media trends, audience engagement strategies, and best practices.
Monitor website and digital engagement metrics to assess content performance and identify trends.
Conduct regular website audits and content reviews to ensure information remains current and accurate.
Organize and maintain photo and video assets to support storytelling, publications, and efficient internal use.
Write and distribute monthly newsletters and Caring for Critters updates to engage supporters, donors, and the public.
Coordinate the production of video content, as needed.

Public Relations and Media Outreach
Under the guidance of the Director of Outreach, draft and distribute press releases and media materials to increase awareness of the Wildlife Center’s work.
Assist with time-sensitive communications needs and media requests, as needed.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with media contacts to increase the Center’s media presence.
Capture and organize photo, video, and b-roll assets for use in media outreach and communications efforts.

Outreach Engagement
Participate in outreach activities, including the online moderated discussion, assisting with Center tours, and contributing to professional training programs.
Contribute to the training and mentorship of outreach externs and students, as opportunities arise.
Support Center events and outreach initiatives, including donor cultivation events, the Annual Gala, and the Call of the Wild Conference.
Assist with additional communications and outreach projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications
High School Diploma
At least one year of Communications experience in the wildlife, environmental, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Commitment to wildlife, conservation, and the environment
Valid driver’s license
Strong communication, writing, and editing skills
Ability to maintain consistent organizational messaging and voice across communication platforms.
Ability to adapt communication style for different audiences and platforms.
Demonstrated experience with social media platforms, audience engagement, and digital communication best practices.
Strong computer proficiency; experience with website management is a plus
Strong judgment and professionalism when representing the organization publicly and online.
Comfort working with photography, digital media, and visual storytelling.
Creativity and enthusiasm for engaging diverse audiences through storytelling and digital communication.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines
Meticulous attention to detail, with strong organization skills
Ability to work calmly under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable, with strong time management skills and a willingness to take on new responsibilities
Professional appearance and demeanor for both workplace and donor interactions.
Ability to sit or stand at a computer for long periods of time

Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or communications
Basic video editing and graphic design skills

Compensation and Benefits
The starting pay for this position is $20/hour. We’re committed to fair compensation and are open to adjusting the rate for candidates with advanced skills or experience. The work week will be 8-hour days, Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend work and travel required for special events, in-person or online. Ability for occasional teleworking, though a strong in-person presence is required.
80 hours of vacation time per year
40 hours of personal time per year
48 hours of sick time per year
50% health insurance coverage through a group plan

Application Requirements:
Interested applicants must submit an application through our website: https://wildlifecenter.org/about/employment
Resume
Cover Letter
Writing Sample
Three references

For further inquiries, please contact:
Connor Gillespie
Director of Outreach and Education
Wildlife Center of Virginia
PO Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980
cgillespie@wildlifecenter.org

No phone calls, please. Center phone lines are best kept open for wildlife emergencies.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is an equal opportunity employer. WCV will not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical condition), disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, citizenship, or any other class protected by applicable law. We reserve the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice or obligation to any party.