Job Openings: Adoption Coordinator, Communications Manager, Camp Kindness Humane Educator Assistant, Summer Tour Guides
Internship Openings, Summer 2013: Business Management Intern, Camp Kindness Education Intern, NYC Outreach Intern
ADOPTION COORDINATOR
Catskill Animal Sanctuary seeks a part-time (15 hours per week, flexible) Adoption Coordinator to facilitate the placement of horses and farm animals with permanent families. The Adoption Coordinator will promote the adoption program by maintaining an online presence on websites such as Petfinder, Equine.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr; networking and developing relationships with local/regional animal businesses such as vets and boarding farms; representing CAS at outreach events; and developing print materials as needed to facilitate networking and tabling. The Adoption Coordinator will answer questions via phone or email in a timely manner, evaluate adoption applications, and work with the Animal Care Director to find appropriate homes for each animal. Additionally, the Adoption Coordinator will conduct pre- and post-adoption follow up visits and maintain records documenting adoption follow up. The Adoption Coordinator will also maintain an accurate and up to date list of animals seeking placement at CAS, refer those families to other resources as needed, and promote family-to-family adoption through CAS’s Adoption Alerts emails. Candidates should be familiar with the needs and behavior of farm species and with various equine disciplines, have excellent in-person and written communication skills, be able to take photos and video for use in adoption promotion, be comfortable using social media, and be able to represent CAS’s mission, educational programs, and adoptable animals at networking and outreach events in an informed and articulate manner.
Anticipated start date May 1, 2013.
Salary $12/hr + mileage reimbursement. To apply send cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references to katherine@casanctuary.org. Due to the high volume of anticipated applicants, no phone calls please.
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Join the dynamic team at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, one of the nation’s leading sanctuaries for farm animals located in Saugerties, New York. The Communications Manager position is full-time. An occasional weekend day and participation in some onsite and offsite events will be required, but in general, the position is Monday through Friday. CAS salaries are modest, as we are a small non-profit. Benefits include health benefits, paid sick, personal, and vacation days, abundant opportunity for professional growth and the chance to make a profound difference for voiceless animals.
The Communications Manager is responsible for all aspects of the CAS annual communications and mass-market fundraising plan from conception to implementation to evaluation. Well-versed in the CAS ethos and demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the CAS communication goals, the Communications Manager will guide the strategy for all communications, website, public relations, marketing, and fundraising messages. The Communications Manager will work under the direction of the Senior Director of Communications and Outreach. The Communications Manager will effectively prioritize competing communications needs and will work with the Outreach Team as the communications partner on a variety of strategic initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Develop, manage and evaluate annual integrated communications plan in collaboration with the Senior Director.
- Create engaging and dynamic online content for web and social media, with frequent updates to website and daily posts to social media sites. Keep website current through regular updates and archiving of outdated content.
- Produce and oversee distribution of all print and electronic media including, but not limited to: enewsletters, print newsletters, marketing materials, fundraising campaigns, advertising materials, and Sanctuary signage.
- Develop and manage annual advertising plan.
- Create and produce direct mail solicitations and newsletters.
- Ensure consistency of CAS brand across online and print media, presentations, etc.
- Assist the Executive Director, Outreach Director, and Business Manager with their fundraising efforts.
- Oversee and assist with the creation and ordering of CAS merchandise.
- Develop systems to track the effectiveness of outreach efforts and track and measure the level of engagement within the network over time.
- Test and implement initiatives to drive web visits, donations, email/mail list sign up, Sanctuary visitors, program registrations.
- Conceptualize, write, and disseminate press releases; follow up with media as necessary.
- Shoot and edit videos as needed for communications projects.
- Local travel to represent CAS at annual tabling events.
- Recruit and manage interns, as needed
- Stay abreast of constantly evolving communications practices through study, webinars, and workshops.
- Increase awareness of the impact of agribusiness and of the CAS role in promoting change.
- Manage annual communications budget, actively seeking pro-bono services and donated materials whenever possible
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Communications, English or Marketing.
- Minimum of 3-5 years relevant professional experience; non-profit experience strongly preferred.
- Exceptional oral and written communications skills with demonstrated capability to write with clarity, enthusiasm and engagement.
- Proven expertise with social media applications and emerging media, online and direct-mail fundraising, e-mail marketing, email applications for fundraising and CRM.
- Proficiency in HTML, email marketing software, and content management systems.
- Proficiency in photography and video capture, editing and production using relevant software (Pinnacle, Picasa, Photoshop preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, word processing, publishing and spreadsheet applications.
- Experience with web analysis such as Google Analytics.
- Desire to connect with our mission, the animals and their stories. A commitment to veganism and knowledge of the issues surrounding agribusiness strongly preferred.
- Team player with excellent relationship-building skills, listening skills, professional maturity, and sound judgment.
- Proven ability to multi-task, manage details, and be flexible and adaptable (at a rescue organization, communications priorities change!)
- Ability to take initiative, think out of the box, and work independently.
- Analytical mind and strategic thinking with the ability to look at the “big picture” while executing the details.
Please send your resume and cover letter to Linda Sopher-Kolton, Senior Director of Communications and Outreach, at linda@casanctuary.org. Please do not phone. We will get back to applicants based on resume/experience.
CAMP KINDNESS HUMANE EDUCATOR ASSISTANT
Camp Kindness at Catskill Animal Sanctuary engages young people in a vibrant summer day camp designed to foster compassion and respect for all living beings and the environment. The age-specific program will span approximately six to eight summer weeks (including training) and takes place on Sanctuary grounds in Saugerties, New York. The campers learn surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the many delightful rescued animals.
Camp Kindness Humane Educators will guide young people ages 9 – 13 through each one-week program utilizing direct experience with the animals, the CAS garden, educational games and reading material as well as arts and crafts to enrich their experience and enhance their knowledge. Covered in the lesson plans are issues related to animal welfare, nutrition and well-being, and the wonders of animals and nature.
The educator(s) will work in a hands-on way to teach the syllabus and run the day camp, with the support of (and reporting to) the Program Director, and will communicate with the camp chef and farm manager to ensure a smooth flowing program that is exciting, life-changing, joyous and varied.
Job Responsibilities (for example but not limited to):
- Administrate the Program: Responsibilities include signing off on the camp application and flyer with Program Director, screening each applicant and placing them in the appropriate session (includes light data entry/registration processing, plus basic maintenance of student database and files.)
-Assist in creation of syllabus: Prior to the camp season, Humane Educator(s) will meet with previous instructors who created the original syllabus, then work with founder and former teacher Kathy Stevens to strengthen it and keep it current and dynamic.
-Run the Camp Sessions and teach the syllabus: Dates TBD (Summer of 2013.) Possibly, additional “weekend camp” sessions might extend teaching opportunities here.
-Maintain Camp Classroom: Educator(s) are responsible for the decorating and setting up of the Camp Classroom and “home base” i.e. keeping track and ordering of any supplies needed, keeping area clean and stocked and putting camp “to bed” at the end of the season.
-Special Events and School Outreach: Educator(s) would be a valuable asset at special events that have activities for young people, as well as opportunities that arise for on or off-site youth education. TBD on a case-by-case basis, budget allowing.
Job requirements:
College Graduate and minimum two years teaching experience preferred. (Certification via the Institute for Humane Education and/or workshop experience via H.E.A.R.T a plus.)
Basic CPR/First Aid course mandatory for both educators (We can provide via local Red Cross offices.)
Salary: Based on experience.
Please send your resume and cover letter to Rebecca Moore, Program Director, at rebecca@casanctuary.org. Please do not phone. We will get back to applicants based on resume/experience.
SUMMER TOUR GUIDES
Catskill Animal Sanctuary seeks passionate individuals who like to speak about farm animals and issues related to human health and the environment to lead our summer tours. Guides must be able to give two or more days a month to work as tour guides at our beautiful Sanctuary in Saugerties, NY. Tours are given on Saturdays and Sundays. Each tour day is 5.5 hours and guides can expect to give 1-3 tours a day (lasting 90 minutes each) depending on the number of visitors and guides on hand.
CAS tour guides lead the visiting public in small groups around the grounds, introducing them to rescued animals and relating their poignant rescue stories. A willingness to train and become comfortable around the rescued animal residents is a must. Interested persons should:
- Be able to travel to Saugerties NY on their own (we cannot provide transportation).
- Be positive, energized people, comfortable with public speaking, who care deeply about the issues we teach, and enjoy engaging thoughtfully with a diverse group of people.
- Have knowledge of what farm animals endure via the industrialized food system, as well as enthusiasm for the benefits of a plant-based diet, and a knowledge of health issues related to diet. Both are important assets, but we will train guides to strengthen their knowledge base (a “script” of bullet-points will be provided as the core of that training). Please read our website fully to familiarize yourself with the work we do as well as the issues and concerns we represent before applying.
- Be willing to attend several training sessions on-site at the Sanctuary in advance of the summer season, and make a recurring bi-monthly (or weekly) commitment during our open season (Weekends, April through October). Only responsible, dependable persons can fill these important roles.
This is an incredible opportunity for the animal advocate in you who wants to raise your voice, join a team, and make a difference in the lives of both people and animals. You will get to work in the beautiful outdoors, befriend endearing and inspiring critters, and impact lives.
Some paid positions available depending on experience. Working within school internship guidelines for school credit is also a possibility. We welcome applicants college age and above. Interested persons should send a cover letter stating your background, knowledge, and interest in our mission, a resume (if applicable), and two references to Rebecca Moore, CAS Program Director, at rebecca@casanctuary.org.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INTERN
Do you want to learn what goes on “behind the scenes” at a successful nonprofit? Intern in our Business Office! CAS is seeking an intern to work with our Business Manager, Julie Barone. The Business Office intern will learn standard non-profit administration practices, database segmentation, and gain some knowledge of non-profit accounting principles and donor cultivation.
Ideally, applicants should:
- Have or be working toward a degree business, non-profit administration, or a related field
- Have a strong interest in the nonprofit sector
- Be proficient in Word and Excel
- Have some database experience – the more the better!
- Be available for 4-12 hours per week for one semester on a M/W/F schedule
- Be opposed to animal cruelty in all forms and supportive of the overall mission of CAS.
This is an UNPAID position, but students can receive credit required by their academic institution. Please send your resume and cover letter to Julie Barone, Business Manager at info@casanctuary.org.
CAMP KINDNESS EDUCATION INTERN
CAS is seeking one or two interns to assist our Humane Educators in running Camp Kindness, a small day camp for children 9 to 13. The program runs for approximately 8 weeks, late June through August (dates still TBD).
The position will include tasks such as: helping set up and maintain the camp classroom (including clean up after various projects), assisting with educational activities and minding the safety of both campers and animals, and helping with communication between departments to ensure a smooth flowing program as the campers move from the classroom to the animal areas to the garden and teaching kitchen.
Ideally, applicants should:
- Have experience working with children ages 9 through 13.
- Enjoy working out of doors and be comfortable around large farm animals.
- Have knowledge and enthusiasm for the issues we teach, ranging from animal welfare to plant-based diets and humane/compassion issues and ethics.
- Be available at least 4 hours a day (weekdays) within the time-frame that camp runs
- Have access to their own car for transportation to and from CAS
- Be able to take instruction well and work as part of a team
- Be opposed to animal cruelty in all forms and supportive of the overall mission of CAS.
This is an UNPAID position, but students can receive credit required via the protocols of their academic institution. If you are working to become a teacher and interested in Humane Education plus love animals and kids, this could be a great opportunity for you! Please send a cover letter listing your experience (and any resume if applicable) to Rebecca Moore, Program Director, at rebecca@casanctuary.org.
NY CITY OUTREACH INTERN
Located in New York’s Hudson Valley, Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) is a 110-acre haven for horses and farm animals rescued from cruelty and neglect. Through emergency rescue, tours, speaking engagements, a children’s summer camp, and vegan cooking program, CAS educates the public about the sentience and suffering of farm animals, and the devastating impacts of institutionalized cruelty on animals, people, and the planet we share.
CAS is seeking a New York City-based intern to help with outreach projects. These projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Propose and research topics related to animal welfare, animal rights, etc. for a regular Huffington Post blog by CAS Director Kathy Stevens.
- Guest blogging and writing/researching educational stories for CAS’ twice-monthly e-newsletter and twice-yearly printed newsletter.
- Research educational topics for use on social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
- Contribute to the development of marketing materials used in CAS outreach efforts.
- Participate in outreach efforts (tabling, special events, conferences, etc.) to educate people about the unique relationship between animals and humans and the CAS mission.
- If possible, assist with creating/editing video and photography projects
Ideally, applicants should:
- Be opposed to animal cruelty in all forms and supportive of the overall mission of CAS.
- Have substantive knowledge about factory farming/agribusiness and its impact on animals, people, and the planet
- Be committed to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle
- Have superb research, writing, and communication skills
- Be able to multi-task and advance multiple projects simultaneously
- Be able to work well in a team environment and also well independently
- Have good organizational skills with consistent attention to details and deadlines
- Be available at least 10 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks; start date negotiable
- Graphic design, website management, videography, and photography skills are a plus
This is an UNPAID position, but students can receive credit required by their academic institution. Please send your resume, and cover letter to Michelle Alvarez, Outreach Director, at michelle@casanctuary.org. No calls please.
