Community Relations Specialist

Wherever there is a need in La Crosse County you'll find The Salvation Army. We not only strive to help our community with shelter and food, but to also empower our youth as well. Every year, hundreds of men, women, and children are provided emergency shelter and fed over 80,000 meals. Community support makes all this possible. Donations of supplies, dollars, and volunteer staffing help ensure the emergency shelter continues serving those in the biggest need. If you want to help make a difference by serving your community and helping those in need, apply now!

The Community Relations Specialist will oversee and administer the outreach initiatives for the Development Department by guiding The Salvation Army’s efforts to engage community businesses, organizations, and corporations as community partners. Build and maintain corporate relations, coordinate outreach events, and develop an outreach volunteer program within the community. Responsible for broadcast media, social media, and website including use by local corps programs.

About the role:

Volunteer Duties (40% of workweek)

• Builds and maintains relationships with corporations, businesses, and organizations, churches, and service clubs.
• Coordinates opportunities for employees to volunteer for Salvation Army programs in the community that are outside the scope of their duties to enhance engagement and knowledge of The Army’s outreach.
• Coordinates with Divisional Volunteer Director for training in Better Impact (volunteer database system) maintaining confidentiality of volunteer records.
• Manages the volunteer database for The Salvation Army and communications to volunteers as well as schedules all volunteers. Creates monthly statistics utilizing volunteer database (Better Impact).

Media Duties (40% of workweek)

• Serves as a primary the primary media contact for The Salvation Army in La Crosse County.
• Manages and maintains an active social media presence for the purpose of creating awareness and engagement. Responds to online-generated communication following TSA protocols for response.
• Manages content, event calendars and online photo gallery.
• Learns and stays current with information about Salvation Army programs and projects, and effectively communicates the mission to volunteers, media, and corporate partners.

Community Engagement/Special Events (20% of workweek)

• Arranges and conducts tours of Salvation Army facilities.
• Provide presentations to corporations, businesses, organizations, churches, service clubs, and local schools, colleges/universities.
• Supports the planning and implementation of major fundraising events and seasonal programs
• Supports the planning and implementation of seasonal programs, such as: Back to School and Feed the Kids.

Capital Campaign

• Supports the Development Director with the capital campaign, including attendance of meetings and committees and as a liaison for all communications and public relations serving as a part of the leadership team.
• Assist in creation and implementation of donor events specific to the capital campaign.
• Create and distribute publicity and marketing material in collaboration with the Capital Campaign Consultants.
• Respond to increased communication regarding the Capital Campaign with the public, donors, and subsequent agencies.
• Assist in public presentations to service clubs, churches, funders, and community groups.

Education: Requires Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, with preferred major in public relations, business, marketing, journalism, or communication.

Experience: Minimum 4 year’s experience in the field. Not for profit experience helpful, but not required.

Certifications: Valid driver’s license with clearance to drive from The Salvation Army’s insurance.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.

Who we are:

Our Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by the love of God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination.

Why work for us?

The Salvation Army’s brand promises to Do the Most Good® - and it’s our employees that help us get there.  At every level, you can have a real impact on your community through the work done inside our walls every day.  

We are as impassioned about our employees as we are about our mission to help anyone in need without discrimination. Our culture reflects this quality, which makes our offices a seriously great place to work. Just walk inside our doors and you’ll quickly see that our employees are proud to support programs that make a difference.

The Salvation Army recognizes that peace of mind is important to employees and their families.  Because of this, we offer :

• Competitive Salary
• Flexible schedules and a casual dress environment
• Generous paid time off benefits (vacation, sick time, personal time, and 11 paid holidays)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 support, resources, and referrals to help you in your work and personal life
• Insurance benefits: excellent health, dental, vision, life, disability 
• Discounts available for pet insurance, auto insurance, and home insurance  

Full-time employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week will be eligible for full benefits, including health, dental, vision and hearing benefits, basic and voluntary life benefits, holiday pay and paid time off, which is pro-rated based on their regularly scheduled work week.

Exempt Employees: Health, dental, vision, and hearing benefits, as well as basic and voluntary life benefits, will begin on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment.