Communications Coordinator

About MERS

The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems through scientific research, environmental education, and marine wildlife response. MERS is based in Port McNeill, on northeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the Territory of the Kwak’wala-speaking People.

Job Description

MERS is seeking a highly skilled Communications Coordinator to provide strategic direction and support to its messaging aimed at increasing environmental conservation. This position works closely with, and reports to, the Director of Education and Communications and the Executive Director.

The Communications Coordinator engages with other MERS Team members to amplify the organization’s conservation aims and achievements; support education campaigns; create social media content, resources, and marketing materials; analyze communications performance; and develop, oversee, and report on an overarching communications strategy.

It is essential that the Communications Coordinator understands, guards, and supports MERS’ core values. It is not essential to have previous knowledge of the marine mammals of British Columbia. Initial support will be provided to ensure the Communications Coordinator’s skills are applied to messaging that is scientifically accurate and adheres to MERS’ ethics and advances its objectives.

Key Accountabilities

• Co-ordinates the organization’s communications and messaging across its blog, website, social media platforms, and newsletter, including the development and management of an integrated communications and social media strategy.
• Ensures content is scientifically accurate and adheres to the ethics, identity, and core values of the organization.
• Monitors, interprets, and reports on online analytics to provide further direction for communications.
• Leads the scheduling and creates social media content in collaboration with, and supported by, other team members.
• Drafts advertisements and marketing materials to promote MERS’ work, conservation messaging, social enterprise, and other appeals.
• Assists with the development, promotion, and management of engagement campaigns and educational offerings, e.g. Whale-Safe Boating Course.
• Assists with drafting and distributing media releases, coordinating media interviews, and tracking media contacts and reach.
• Facilitates supporter and donor engagement through, but not limited to, the development and distribution of monthly newsletters, email campaigns and appeals, and annual reports.
• Develops infographics, videos, and other types of content for educational and promotional needs.
• Ensures MERS communication, marketing, and educational products follow organizational brand guidelines and display a cohesive aesthetic.
• Organizes and maintains a library of visual content.
• Manages website updates including event scheduling, page creation, content updates, and alerts.
• Assists where needed with organizing community events, webinars, and educational forums.
• Contributes to creating a supportive, collaborative, encouraging, and cohesive work environment that includes team-building activities.
• Assists with providing guidance to media (traditional and online) with regard to the ethics of posts related to marine mammals (as per MERS’ Media Matters resource).
• Performs other communications-related duties as required.

Skills & Qualification

• Strong, proven environmental ethic.
• Degree or certificate in journalism, marketing, communications, science communications, or at least 3 years of proven related work experience.
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific concepts and findings into engaging, accurate and easily understandable content.
• Exceptional communications skills in English for audiences ranging from children to the boating public and scientists.
• Experience with best ethical practices for social, digital, and email marketing.
• Demonstrated dependability, reliability, flexibility, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong ability to identify, organize, and prioritize content and tasks in a way that is most helpful to the goals of the organization.
• Basic graphic design and content creation skills for infographics, reports, social media posts, articles, and video/audio content.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, WordPress, Canva, video editing, Zoom, Keynote, content management systems, social media platforms, and media editing software (e.g., Adobe Suite).
• Completion of the online MERS Whale-Safe Boating course (free access to the course is available by using coupon code ACCESSRATE upon checkout).
• Ability to legally work in Canada (please note, MERS does not have the capacity to answer questions about work permits or support the application for non-residents). If not currently residing in Canada, applicants should state clearly whether they hold a valid work permit.

Additional Assets

• Experience working in a non-profit environment.
• Knowledge of marine mammals and marine conservation issues in British Columbia.
• Experience in science communications directly related to marine conservation issues.
• Experience in communications related to ensuring respect and recognition for Indigenous rights and title.
• Experience with online learning platforms and software such as Thinkific or Articulate 360.
• Experience successfully developing and managing communications strategies and associated budgets.
• Completion of a MERS 4-day BC Marine Mammal Naturalist course. If not previously done, the successful candidate will be registered for a course.

Working Conditions

This position may work in-office (location in Port McNeill) or remotely. If remote work is chosen, travel to northern Vancouver Island for work in-office and with the team will be required several times a year. Occasional work on weekends, evenings, or holidays may be required.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MERS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fair, inclusive, and equitable hiring practices. Recruitment efforts prioritize broad reach and inclusive evaluation to ensure candidates from all backgrounds have meaningful access to employment opportunities with the organization.

Hours and Compensation

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours/week). Compensation will be $27–$30/hr, plus benefits.

Application Procedure

Please send a resume and cover letter. Include three examples of professional work – media releases, social media posts, and/or campaigns. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide three references.

Applications should be submitted to info@mersociety.org. Please label all attached documents with lastname_firstname.

The application deadline is October 9, 2026. Please note, interviews will not occur until November, with an anticipated start date in January 2027. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.

More information: https://mersociety.org/about/careers/