Media Relations Coordinator

Practical Farmers of Iowa is Hiring a Media Relations Coordinator

Are you an energetic, creative storyteller with experience amplifying stories in the media? Practical Farmers of Iowa wants to talk to you!

As a non-profit organization with more than 6,000 members, PFI equips farmers to build a more regenerative agriculture. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide financial support and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, and resilient farms and vibrant communities.

As PFI’s media relations coordinator, you’ll use your strong writing and interpersonal skills to help activate the media and drive the food and farming narrative.

As a creative storyteller with a passion for building community and creating positive change, you’ll work to secure positive media coverage of PFI and our members, field media and speaker requests, manage our speakers bureau of farmer and staff spokespersons, and monitor and report on media coverage.

You’ll join a hard-working, curious and ambitious marketing and communications team whose main goal is to help expand PFI’s reach and impact.

Responsibilities

Generate positive media coverage of PFI and our farmer members

Conduct media relations activities such as writing press releases, pitching stories, building media lists and developing relationships with reporters to secure positive media coverage

Manage PFI’s speakers bureau

Grow and manage group of farmer spokespersons
Connect farmer and staff spokespersons to media and event opportunities
Connect farmers with opportunities to advocate for PFI’s policy priorities
Coach farmer and staff spokespersons on interview and presentation best practices

Field media inquiries and speaker requests

- Serve as point person for all media requests and requests to speak at events

Monitor & report results

- Use media monitoring service (Meltwater) to monitor coverage, gain insights and report results
- Incorporate results into future work for continuous improvement

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

Strong interpersonal communication skills
Relationship builder and natural collaborator
Solid writing and editing skills
Success with pitching story ideas and responding to media inquiries
Strong attention to detail and organizational ability
Ability to meet deadlines
Motivated to continuously learn and grow skills
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in fast-paced team environment
Flexible, adaptable and a self-starter
Resilient and a critical thinker
Results focused rather than task focused

Preferred Qualifications and Characteristics

Basic understanding of agricultural production in Iowa
Experience reporting media coverage results
2+ years of public relations, agency or communications-related field experience
Degree in public relations, journalism, communications or related field

This is a full-time, hybrid position (minimum of 2 days per month at the Ames, Iowa office). The starting salary for this position is $46,500 with annual opportunity for merit salary increases and position advancement.

PFI values its employees and is a flexible and supportive work environment. Employees are offered a competitive benefits package including health insurance with employer-paid premium, generous paid time off, flexible hours, paid parental leave, 4% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment and additional learning opportunities. Practical Farmers is a family-friendly employer.

At PFI, we celebrate diversity and are committed to ensuring our policies and practices create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously, and seek to empower and support all applicants and teammates.

Please apply by completing the application form (including contact information, cover letter, resume and references) at the bottom of this page. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About PFI’s Communications and Marketing Department

Communications and marketing at PFI is dynamic, purposeful and ambitious. Our work has several key aims: to expand Practical Farmers’ reach and impact; share our members’ knowledge and experience; promote PFI programs and activities; and drive the food and farming narrative about resilient agricultural systems. We manage an impressive portfolio that includes:

Six major print publications (including a quarterly magazine)
An award-winning video program
Content for podcasts, email newsletters and blog posts
Multiple websites and social media channels
Graphic design and visual branding services
An extensive photo and video archive and in-house style guide
Robust media relations and farmer-speaker work

Click here to download a pdf of the job duties and responsibilities