Internal Communications Specialist
Portland,OR Human Resources
Description
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.
POSITION: Internal Communications Specialist
JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 5 / Grade 4
WAGE: Starting at $66,120 per year
FLSA; EEO; WC: Exempt; Professional; 8864
LOCATIONS: IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220, Hybrid Eligible
FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)
APPLY AT: www.irco.org
STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits
PROGRAM(S): Administration
SECTOR: Human Resources
This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
Program Summary
The HR team's purpose is to hire, train, retain, develop and support employees while also overseeing employee relations, benefits programs, and compliance with employment laws. The goal of internal communications is to promote alignment of the day-to-day actions of all employees with the mission, vision, and values of the organization to help them understand how their individual roles contribute to the IRCO’s overall success.
Position Summary
This position is responsible for implementation of IRCO’s strategic internal communications plan aimed at building and maintaining a workplace culture that is engaging, supportive, and inspires all employees around a common purpose. They will partner cross functionally to develop content for a weekly all-staff email, a monthly newsletter, and other communications designed for an internal audience. The Internal Communications Specialist will be responsible for management of IRCO’s newly adopted employer brand. This work will involve collaboration with an Advancement based communications team, whose primary function is external communications that support fundraising activities. The two communications functions have different audiences but will be closely aligned in visual approach and tone. Strong Interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate and problem solve as part of a team are essential at IRCO. The individual in this position will also exercise a measure of independence as they develop channels for content development and learn the complex cultural landscape that is IRCO. The successful Internal Communications Specialist will be creative, flexible, conscientious and able to enthusiastically support IRCO’s mission, vision, and values.
Essential Functions
- In consultation with leadership, develop and maintain an annual communications calendar informed by IRCO’s strategic plan
- Maintain content on newly designed Intranet homepage featuring newsfeed with rotating stories, access to useful tools, links to important platforms, including social media, etc.
- Provide oversight of Intranet for consistency and to ensure that all content is up to date
- Partner with HR team colleagues to maintain HR relevant intranet content
- Launch employer brand campaign introducing it org-wide
- Integrate employer-branded materials across all internally facing messaging and platforms ensuring that brand voice and style are reflected consistently
- Use branded tools as a connective thread through ongoing communications
- Produce and manage a monthly multi-media newsletter driven by monthly themes outlined in the communications calendar and featuring updates, staff stories, events, and key initiatives
- Develop a simple manager toolkit that provides talking points for topics covered by monthly newsletter theme
- Write, edit, and distribute weekly designed All Staff email to build engagement and mitigate email overload, with content to be housed on the Intranet
- Meet regularly with editorial board that will guide the work
- Act as a strategic advisor to internal teams on messaging and delivery best practices
- Support internal campaigns, recognition programs, and employee engagement initiatives
- Support Training Coordinator as needed regarding training related messaging
- Solicit employee feedback and incorporate suggestions to continuously improve communication processes
Secondary Functions
- Engage in professional development activities as appropriate to job duties, see required engagement below
- Attend IRCO based cultural and other events
- Additional duties as assigned
Requirements
Education & Experience
MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, language arts, journalism, or related field, or equivalent combination of training and experience
- Minimum 4 years of progressive work experience in internal communications or related field
- Experience in a nonprofit, public sector, or mission-driven organization strongly preferred
- Strong English language writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a demonstrated ability to write for diverse audiences
- Demonstrated cultural competency; ability to thrive in a multicultural, multilingual workplace
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with high attention to detail and deadline orientation
Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements
- Hybrid eligible
- Some analysis of problems or decision-making ability
- Well protected environment with minimal hazards or obstacles
- Mostly stable work schedule with few fluctuations, occasional event attendance
Supervisory Responsibilities
Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.
What We Offer
IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:
- Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
- Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
- Work that helps your community
- 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
- 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
- 3% match for student loans or college savings
- 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
- Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
- Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Flexible spending account
Required Engagement
Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values based initiatives.
How To Apply
- Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.
- Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.
- For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org
Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application.
IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.
