Communications and Events Coordinator

Rising Sun Center for Opportunity is hiring a Communications and Events Coordinator in Oakland, CA. This full-time position involves creating content, maintaining the organization's brand, and coordinating events to enhance visibility for workforce development programs. The role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders. The coordinator will work closely with the Development and Communications team.
Rising Sun Center for Opportunity seeks a detail-oriented, motivated, and enthusiastic Communications and Event Coordinator to participate as a core member of our Development and Communications team. This is a permanent, full-time, exempt position. This person will provide communications support and help coordinate organization-wide events to increase the visibility of Rising Sun’s innovative workforce development programs promoting economic equity and climate resilience.

The Communications and Events Coordinator will be responsible for the maintenance of our organization brand while creating web-based, print, written, and video content; in addition, they will support the planning and execution of development and communications led events. This person will work closely with the Development and Communications Associate and Director of Development and Communications and report directly to the Senior Communications Manager.

For more information about Rising Sun, please visit risingsunopp.org.

A successful Communications and Events Coordinator...
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills, taking pride in quality and accuracy. You have experience tailoring messages to different audiences in a compelling manner; you’re known for your ability to get people excited about an idea.
• Has a good eye for visual design. You know how to edit and present content in a manner that is clear, aesthetically powerful, and in line with brand guidelines.
• Is organized and self-motivated with exceptional attention to detail and the willingness and ability to meet deadlines. You’re flexible, adaptable, and you use your time efficiently.
• Can coordinate project and event logistics in a timely and concise manner.
• Can represent Rising Sun externally, enthusiastically building connections with external stakeholders. You’re comfortable regularly meeting and speaking with new people.
• Is comfortable conducting interviews and can thoughtfully translate shared content into stories both the interviewee and organization can be proud of. You treat people from all backgrounds with respect.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships—within your team and beyond. You collaborate with staff and team members to access the information you need to be successful; people are happy to help you out.
• Is unafraid to learn and ask questions. You know when to clarify to better understand goals and guidelines; you also know how to communicate about your workload and priorities with your manager and request the support you need to accomplish your tasks.
• Demonstrates self-awareness in terms of understanding their own culture, identity, biases, prejudices, power, privilege, and stereotypes.
• Demonstrates willingness to challenge and change institutional practices that present barriers to different groups.

The Communications and Events Coordinator is responsible for…

CONTENT CREATION
• Creating high-quality, compelling written, photographic, and video content for social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram, etc.), newsletters, the Rising Sun website, campaigns, ads, etc. Content created will serve greater Development and Communications goals including but not limited to fundraising, visibility, and relationship building.
• Collecting stories, photos, statistics, etc. from program participants, stakeholders, and staff to share with Rising Sun’s networks. This includes attending and traveling to programmatic events and interviewing participants as needed.

COMMUNICATIONS
• Understanding Rising Sun’s branding guidelines and ensuring their appropriate use across the organization’s collateral and website.
• Growing and building strategic relationships in the Bay Area and/or Central California for the purpose of increasing Rising Sun’s overall visibility.
• Upholding and uplifting Rising Sun’s brand, messaging, and values in all communications.
• Publishing high quality external content as needed (to social media, etc.) to maintain brand visibility and tell our story.
• Engaging with social audiences to grow our following and encourage dialogue.

EVENTS AND OTHER
• Assisting with planning, logistics, and purchasing for and coordination of in-person and virtual Development and Communications events. This will include programmatic and volunteer events as needed.
• Playing a lead role in coordinating Rising Sun’s annual celebration in Oakland.
• Maintaining the flexibility to support various department campaigns and projects
• Additional responsibilities as assigned

To be considered for this position, you must have…
• Passion for the mission of a nonprofit focused on equity, climate, and jobs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc.), and Zoom.
• Access to a car, valid driver’s license, and insurance.
• A smartphone that can capture high-quality video and photographs. Rising Sun offers a monthly phone reimbursement, detailed below.
• The ability to work some flexible hours—occasional evenings and/or weekends.
• The ability to work in-person in Oakland, CA roughly 2–4 times a month throughout the year and more frequently leading up to events. Otherwise, the Communications and Events Coordinator may work from Oakland, our office in Stockton, or home.
• Residency in California (strong preference for San Joaquin County or the Bay Area) or the ability to move.
• In order to align with our commitment to public health for our employees, participants, and community, we require proof of completion of the primary series of an approved COVID-19 vaccination by your start date. For more information, please see Rising Sun's Mandatory Vaccination Policy.

It’s a big plus if you have…
• Experience with InDesign, Canva, or other graphic design platforms.
• Experience with Photoshop, GIMP, or other image editing programs.
• Experience with WordPress, Emma, Hootsuite, and/or other similar platforms.
• Experience in or enthusiasm for photography, video editing, or graphic design.
• Experience using social media, preferably in a professional or volunteer capacity.
• Experience hosting or supporting the implementation of events.
• Direct work or volunteer experience in a related field(s): workforce development; economic/racial/gender equity; climate resilience; environmental sustainability; etc.
• Passion for identifying challenges and creatively developing solutions.

About Rising Sun…

Rising Sun is a premier nonprofit organization operating in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central California. Our mission is to build career pathways for economic equity and climate resilience. With offices in Oakland and Stockton, Rising Sun’s workforce development programs, Climate Careers and Opportunity Build, specialize in preparing youth, women, and individuals in reentry for high-road careers and green pathways that offer family-sustaining wages. Since our founding in 1994, Rising Sun has trained and employed more than 3,000 youth and adults while helping nearly 62,000 households reduce their carbon footprint. Our vision is a just and sustainable future for all people and our planet.

About our culture…

We are mission-driven and work hard because we care about what we do. We are deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and antiracism, and are actively advancing on that journey, though we know the work is never done. We like working with each other and we like to make work fun. We’re into continuous improvement, learning, transparency, and tough conversations. We practice appreciation and start each meeting with a team-builder, and it’s not uncommon for staff to bring snacks to share that tell a story about who they are and where they come from. When we’re at the office, there’s usually at least one dog hanging around. We put people first, especially our program participants. We like to promote from within and build each other up, but we also like to bring in new ideas and different perspectives. We’re looking forward to meeting you and hearing about how you can contribute to making Rising Sun a great place to have an impact.

You might also be wondering about pay and benefits...

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt, salaried, and benefited position with an annual salary range of $64,992–$68,897 commensurate with experience and work location. Rising Sun offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
• 100% coverage of Medical, Vision, Dental insurance for employees, 50% coverage for dependents
• 403b contribution option and 3% matching employer contribution after first year
• $100,000 Life Insurance Policy
• 17 PTO days/year (increases each year until year 10)
• 19 Holidays/year (includes 2 floating holidays and a week of closure during winter)
• 4 Restorative days/year
• Birthday off
• Hybrid Remote work options—dependent on position
• Monthly internet and phone reimbursement, totaling $100
• 40% pay from Rising Sun for 12 weeks of paternal leave to supplement California's state disability leave and paid family leave payments
• 2 months of paid sabbatical after year 7
• Annual professional development budget
• Financial advising through Stonebridge Financial Group
• Access to mental health services and resources through SpringHealth

RISING SUN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Rising Sun is committed to diversity and considers all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability status. Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action; Women and individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color are encouraged to apply.

Ready to apply?

We are excited for your interest in this position at Rising Sun. To apply, please complete the questionnaire and submit your resume and cover letter here. We look forward to learning more about what you can bring to Rising Sun.