Communications Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

ABOUT OPEN ARMS

Open Arms was founded in 1997 by a small group of community members who envisioned a world that cherishes birthing people, their babies, families, and communities. Today, that vision translates into a community-based organization that serves more than 300 families annually who qualify based on income.

Our culturally responsive services include doula care, lactation support, and perinatal education, and our community-based approach has proven to be highly effective. Open Arms is the first community doula program in the nation to be nationally accredited through HealthConnect One*, and our work has earned the trust and partnership of the philanthropic community. The families we serve are achieving stronger, healthier outcomes that exceed local and national measures.

Run by dedicated and passionate people, our programs work to address and mitigate risk factors that disproportionately affect communities of color. We’re driven by a vision of healthier births and greater equity in maternal and infant health, ensuring that every family receives compassionate care and the best possible start.

• HealthConnect One is a national leader in advancing equitable, community-based, peer-to-peer support for pregnancy, birth, lactation, and early parenting.

VISION

• Thriving children.
• Healthy families.
• Powerful communities.

MISSION

Open Arms provides community-based support during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting to nurture strong foundations that last a lifetime.

VALUES

• Respect: Holding complexity for people and cultures
• Family: Relationships are at the heart of what we do
• Justice: Boldly disrupting oppression

JOB DESCRIPTION

Open Arms is looking for a Communications Coordinator who is passionate about birth justice and community-based programs. This role will support the Communications & Advocacy Lead in engaging others in Open Arms’ mission and programs. The Communications Coordinator must be extremely comfortable with technology and online tools and must be organized and highly detail oriented. The Communications team is newly forming, primarily consisting of the Communications & Advocacy Lead and the Communications Coordinator. We are looking for someone with enthusiasm for foundation building and who is comfortable with change.

Work schedule:

• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• A consistent weekly schedule is required during Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. Some flexibility within this timeframe is possible depending on the team’s schedule and requirements.
• Most work can be done remotely. Minimum one day per week in person is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in implementing communication and outreach plans.
• Create and schedule posts for social media platforms and monitor engagement.
• Draft, edit, and proofread content for newsletters, blogs, and other publications.
• Support website updates and ensure information is current and accurate.
• Design simple materials (flyers, graphics, event collateral) using Canva or similar tools.
• Help coordinate photo, video, and storytelling projects.
• Track and report on communication metrics and audience engagement.
• Maintain outreach lists, media and contact lists, and assist with press outreach.
• Assist in building and documenting processes and procedures.
• Maintain and support administrative processes and systems.
• Provide general support to the Communications Lead and collaborate with other teams and external partners.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience managing social media or digital content.
• Basic design and layout skills (Canva, Adobe, or similar).
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Collaborative and eager to learn from feedback.
• Experience with email systems (Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, or similar)
• Strong relationship building and listening skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality around sensitive information
• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Open Arms and community-based work.
• Experience in working with a diverse staff and with communities of color. The applicant should have a strong racial, disability, gender and economic justice framework.
• Commitment to anti-oppression and de-colonization work with a focus on racial equity and reproductive justice, specific to birth justice.
• COVID-19 proof of full vaccination, booster after January 2022, or medical or religious exemption request is required for in-person work.
• Background check and reference checks are required.
• Proof of eligibility to work as an employee in the U.S. and a Washington state resident.

Mental and Physical Requirements

The physical/mental demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mental Requirements: This position continuously requires interpersonal skills, teamwork, customer service, use of discretion, performing basic math, independent judgment and/or independent action, and reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English. Frequently requires independent decision-making and problem analysis to make recommendations for improvement and/or be involved in discussions around changes. The position requires creative thinking for resourcefulness and process improvements. Attention to detail also required.

Physical Requirements: This position continuously requires sitting, hearing (using assistive devices if needed), and repetitive motion of the hands/wrists. Open Arms is housed in a wheelchair accessible, scented building, with wheelchair accessible bathrooms. Access to reliable transportation will be required for work-related travel. Daily working conditions include an open-office work environment at our Seattle location on Beacon Hill*, and normal office work. See note below about COVID-19 work environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Birthwork in addition to this position: Open Arms deeply appreciates the skill and experience that birthworkers bring to our world. Based on the demands and requirements of this particular position, if the applicant is interested in taking on any births for Open Arms clients, full-time staff need to devote the first six months to training and focusing on adjusting to their new position. After this period, with approval from their direct supervisor, the staff member can take a maximum of 1-2 Open Arms births per quarter depending on work performance, the timing of other work projects, and adequate team coverage. Being an active or current doula is not a requirement of the position.

Note about our hybrid work environment: At Open Arms, many staff are working remotely if their job duties allow. In general, in-person required activities include but are not limited to regular team meetings, some 1-1 check ins, org-wide meetings, client visits, and pick up/drop off items. Some staff have duties that have a specific in-person work requirement and this is outlined in the job description.

Open Arms provides staff with the technology and equipment necessary for remote work and virtual meetings. Please discuss any concerns you have during the interview process.

Since COVID-19 is still prevalent and our work is centered on high-risk populations (pregnant people and babies), Open Arms takes extra precautions such as staying home if you are feeling unwell, masking for a defined period of time for certain COVID-19 reasons, and testing when needed. In some cases, remote work is a possibility if staff need to refrain from in-person work for health & safety reasons.

Benefits

• Paid health, dental, vision, and disability insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and holidays: 13 days of vacation per year for full-time employees with anniversary increases; 13 days for sick and safe time; 23 paid holidays; 2 floating holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Mileage reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Option to contribute to a 401k, flexible spending and dependent care expenses account, and supplemental insurance.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Open Arms is committed to the professional development of our staff. Each year we allocate professional development funds for each employee as well as support various group-training opportunities provided by Open Arms or by outside organizations. We know that historically BIPOC individuals do not have the same opportunities in society and as a result, these communities are underrepresented in leadership positions. We aim to support employees in their advancement both within Open Arms and beyond our organization.

FLEXIBLE & FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT: Open Arms is proud and committed to being a family-friendly workplace. We offer flexible work schedules with remote work being part of the usual weekly schedule for almost all staff as it fits with their job duties. We also offer generous paid-time off for self and family care. Children of any age are welcome in our office, and many staff bring their children to work on a regular or as-needed basis. We have an onsite lactation lounge and encourage chestfeeding in the workplace. Note: Children are not allowed at home visits

SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE CULTURE: We have an informal workplace culture, and staff develop strong, supportive connections with each other. We have a highly collaborative culture and an open office work environment. We are proud of our extremely diverse staff in all demographic areas, which creates a very rich and inclusionary organizational culture. More than 80% of our staff identify as people of color.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY: Open Arms strives to be an affirming, positive, diverse work environment. Open Arms provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. We strongly encourage applications from communities of color and other historically underrepresented and marginalized groups.