Communications and Community Engagement Specialist

About BBF

Building Burlington's Future (BBF) is a nonprofit working to advance a more affordable, safe, and vibrant Burlington through policy development, research, and community engagement. We focus on housing, local governance, economic vitality, and community wellbeing.

Position Overview

BBF is seeking a Communications and Community Engagement Specialist to lead day-to-day communications and help strengthen our connection to the broader Burlington community.

Whether you have a significant amount of experience or whether you are growing rapidly in your career, we encourage you to apply. We are generally looking for someone with 2--5+ years of relevant experience.

This is a full-time role for someone who can move between communications, policy, and outreach. The right candidate will be comfortable drafting emails, managing social media, responding to press opportunities, tracking local policy developments, and helping maintain strong community relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead BBF's communication strategy development and messaging framework across email, social media, press, website, and other public-facing channels
• Draft newsletters, action alerts, event promotions, fundraising content, press materials, talking points, and rapid-response messaging for different audiences, including donors, policymakers, media, and the general public
• Manage a content calendar tied to organizational priorities, events, and local policy developments
• Monitor City Council activity, mayoral actions, local media, and broader community conversations relevant to BBF's work
• Help translate policy developments into clear, accessible public messaging
• Build and maintain relationships with key BBF stakeholders, including local reporters/journalists, community organizations (with an emphasis on facilitating relationships with communication leads of local orgs), local leaders, stakeholders, and partner institutions
• Support outreach, events, forums, and other community engagement efforts
• Work with the Executive Director on messaging, strategy, and special projects
• Monitor and track communications, including open, click, and engagement rates, and support Executive Director with preparing communications debriefs for the Board of Directors

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who:

• Has 2--5+ years of relevant experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy, journalism, politics, government, nonprofit work, or a related field
• Is a strong writer and editor
• Is organized and able to manage multiple priorities
• Can work independently and exercise good judgment
• Is interested in local government, public policy, and community issues
• Can make complex issues understandable to the public
• Has experience with social media and digital communications
• Is comfortable with outreach and relationship-building
• Is based in Vermont or willing to work in a Burlington-centered hybrid environment

Strongly preferred:

• Familiarity with Burlington municipal government and local issues
• Experience in advocacy, political, or issue-based communications
• Experience with media relations, email platforms, content calendars, and basic design tools like Canva

Compensation and Logistics

• Full-time, salaried position
• Hybrid work, with regular engagement in Burlington and occasional evening availability as needed
• Salary commensurate with experience
• Benefits and additional details to be shared with finalists

How to Apply

Please send the following to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Resume
• Brief note explaining your interest in the role and BBF's mission
• Optional: writing samples or examples of prior work