Development & Communications Associate

[Central Valley Air Quality Coalition]

The Position
The Development & Communications Associate is directly supervised by the CVAQ Manager, in coordination with the CVAQ Director. The Associate is responsible for the effective, timely implementation of core development and communications strategies and activities in addition to providing general staff support.

Primary Responsibilities:
Development: Researches, and collaboratively with staff drafts applications for grants and donations. Assists in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive, multi-strategy development program that generates foundation support and various other donations.
Grassroots Assistance Program: Helps develop and manage an effective program that assists grassroots members in building their fundraising capacity, thereby increasing their organizational capacity to engage in CVAQ’s air quality campaigns.
Internal Communications: Assists with strategic communications such as newsletter; manages listservs and databases
External Communications: Drafts press releases, media alerts and advisories, fact sheets, etc., manages and updates website, provides technical assistance to Committees as available
Other: Assists with and ensures timely documentation of development and communications efforts, including annual plans, budgets, reports, and all media reports. Supports Director and Manager as needed. Works closely with and engages CVAQ Coalition membership.

Basic Requirements:
o Passionate about CVAQ's mission and purpose and able to communicate it clearly and effectively.
o Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish highly desired.
o Proven track record of fundraising and/or communications success (1-2 years) preferred.
o Outgoing and people friendly. Able to establish rapport with activists, community members, individual donors and funders in diverse ethnic, racial, social and economic groups.
o Self-starter and team player.
o Computer literate.
o Organized.
o Flexible and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
o Sense of humor.
Location
This position is based in CVAQ’s Fresno office.

Travel
The Associate must have reliable transportation and be able to travel throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the state to attend community meetings, conferences, trainings, etc. as required, to advance efforts and/or to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

Compensation
The Development & Communications Associate is a full time position with a salary range of $30,000-$36,000 per year, depending on experience. CVAQ offers a competitive benefits package.

How to apply
Submit a cover letter summarizing your interest, qualifications, and experience, your resume, one writing sample, and three professional references to Catherine Garoupa-White at [e-mail] or [phone] (fax). CVAQ is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and actively seeks persons of color; females; people over 40; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons; and disabled persons for this position. Applications accepted no later than noon on Friday, September 4, 2009.