Communications Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

The Communications Coordinator will expand DREAM’s reach more broadly by amplifying our mission, showcasing impactful service, and engaging our community. Through strategic storytelling, content creation, and consistent outreach, this role builds meaningful connections to attract and retain support​ from volunteers, members, partners, and other stakeholders. This is a Full Time AmeriCorps position, expected to start Summer 2025 and serve until Spring 2026. While most service will be done virtually, regular engagement with local programming will require in person attendance.

Responsibilities: 

• Gather content during regularly occurring program activities (on-site).
• Support the implementation of annual communications plans that cover both traditional and new media. 
• Elevating DREAM’s social media presence through increased engagement, diversifying the organization’s style of content, and management of all platforms.
• Written and graphic content creation to support a variety of internal staff’s communication needs such as newsletters, fliers, pamphlets, and presentations. 
• Build a variety of content in alignment with DREAM’s brand guidelines that follows stories and themes throughout the year for the organization’s social media channels and blog posting calendars.
• Connect with mentees and their families to capture and share their stories and experiences with DREAM and DREAM’s stakeholders
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure consistent and effective communication strategies and a strong “DREAM voice.” This includes connecting with local managers and volunteers regularly. 
• Foster a sense of belonging and engagement among former mentors and mentees (ie, DREAM “alumni”) by establishing regular touchpoints.

Required Qualifications: 

• Experience creating marketing and media materials for specific audiences.
• Familiarity with best practices in marketing, communications, and branding.
• Ability to repurpose and reimagine content for a variety of audiences
• Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
• A passion for supporting the ongoing work around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with a heightened sense of the necessity for respect and awareness of the community's experience.
• Access to resources necessary to support your telework/service experience (electrical power outlet to keep devices charged, reliable wifi connection that can connect with our cloud-based software).
• Ability to regularly meet in person and virtually with your team or your service assignment in their assigned location (including responsibility for transportation to and from).
• Access to a reliable phone.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to those serving, your fellow team members, the organization, and the self.
• AmeriCorps Requirements: 
  • US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident Status
  • 17 years or older

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with Canva
• Experience with email marketing software - i.e. Mailchimp
• Experience with Search Engine/Channel Optimization
• Experience working with youth.
• Previous experience in leadership positions with peers.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in communications-related field. 

DREAM AmeriCorps Benefits: 

• This living stipend is provided to you in biweekly payments. Full time members are expected to serve 35-40 hours weekly, to receive an $850 living stipend biweekly (pre-tax). 
• Upon the completion of the service term, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive the Segal Education Award, which can be used to pay education expenses or repay qualified student loans. 
  • 1200 hour term education award: $5,176.50
• AmeriCorps members may be eligible for:
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps)
  • Child care assistance
  • Medicaid
  • Student loan deferment (forbearance)
  • Other publicly-funded benefits, such as heating and utility assistance.
• As an AmeriCorps member at DREAM, you will have the additional support of a DREAM AmeriCorps Director to help you navigate your service term and apply for publicly funded programs.
• DREAM is invested in your professional and personal development and supports a variety of professional development opportunities throughout the service term.

AmeriCorps Requirements: 

• Commitment to the full service term as identified in your offer. 
• Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps and DREAM.
• Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.A. due to AmeriCorps requirements.
• Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service OR be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program -
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent OR not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant (and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award) OR obtain a waiver from the Corporation OR be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis 
• Members must agree to the following Criminal History Checks to be performed in order to serve as an AmeriCorps Member: NSOPW (Public Sex Offender) Check, Statewide Criminal Repository Checks (for State of Service and State of Residence), and FBI fingerprint-based Criminal History Check. The member is aware that their identity must be verified with a government-issued photo ID. The results of these checks will be kept confidential, but could affect eligibility to serve in AmeriCorps.

Work environment:  This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included may have characteristics similar to a professional office environment, an indoor/outdoor environment with active children and students, at our rustic Camp DREAM, and within the program sites we serve. This role routinely uses computers and various softwares, as well as standard office/school equipment (such as phones, photocopiers, and printers) as well as equipment characteristic of an outdoor and indoor youth camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, activity supplies, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys).

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: 

• This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather.  This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.  
• The employee/member may occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel:  Travel may include regular local travel and less-common interregional travel (visiting other DREAM geographies and for retreats and special events) during the work hours described. Out-of-the-area and overnight travel will be occasionally expected.

AAP/EEO Statement:  The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment:  The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.