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University of Massachusetts

Strategic Communications & Development Specialist

🇺🇸 Boston, MA 🕑 Full-Time 💰 TBD 💻 Communications 🗓️ June 23rd, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) is hiring a Strategic Communications & Development Specialist. The specialist will enhance visibility and awareness of MassBays' work among decision-makers and funders, implement outreach strategies, manage communications, coordinate funding efforts, and support program events aligned with the 2023 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

Highlights
  • Develops and implements strategic outreach and communication plans, including managing newsletters and social media.
  • Coordinates with partners to advance common objectives and conducts stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Works with the UMass Boston Advancement team to identify and engage potential funders.
  • Monitors state policies and helps craft scientific responses supporting MassBays' goals.
  • Assists in developing annual reports and edits grant proposals to secure funding.
  • Co-leads planning of key events such as the State of the Bays conference and EPA program evaluations.
  • Requires minimum Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or environmental studies and at least three years of relevant experience.
  • Must provide writing samples and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills; familiarity with Massachusetts government structures preferred.
  • Position is full-time with guaranteed funding for at least two years and includes full benefits.
  • Reports directly to the Director of MassBays National Estuary Partnership with no supervisory responsibilities.

Strategic Communications & Development Specialist Full Description

General Summary: 

 

The Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays, see massbays.org) is one of 28 National Estuary Programs established under the federal Clean Water Act, Section 320. The MassBays planning area extends from Salisbury, MA to Provincetown, MA, and encompasses more than 50 communities along Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Cod Bay. MassBays' unique management structure includes regional coordinators hosted by five partner organizations, providing direct connections with local communities and decision makers. MassBays' work is guided by the 2023 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), which describes the programs, tools, and partnerships to realize our vision of a network of healthy and resilient estuaries, sustainable ecosystems that support the life and communities dependent upon them.

With the addition of this new position (Strategic Communications and Development Specialist), MassBays aims to increase visibility and awareness of our work and successes among federal, state and municipal level decisionmakers, potential funders, and strategic partners, all to advance the goals and implementation of our CCMP.

 

Examples of Duties: 

In collaboration with the Director, the Strategic Communications and Development specialist:

  • Outreach and communication
    • Implements the 2026 MassBays' Communications Plan
    • Develops strategic outreach plans to reach different target audiences and realize desired outcomes.
    • Manages the MassBays' quarterly newsletter including collecting articles and content editing.
    • Coordinates MassBays' social media with regular updates.
    • Engages with partners to advance common objectives, e.g. convenes focus groups and stakeholder workshops; attends and presents at relevant conferences; and participates in events with opportunities for outreach and development
  •  
  • Funding and development
    • Coordinates with the UMass Boston University Advancement team to: (1) identify potential funders whose interests align with MassBays' goals, (2) develop targeted messaging for potential funders, and (3) reach out to potential funders and program supporters.
  •  Program support and events
    • Monitors state policy proposals with the potential to affect MassBays' goals, and work with staff to craft constructive and scientifically based responses.
    • Coordinates with Director to develop a MassBays Annual Report and other reporting products.
    • .Reviews final version of grant proposals to be submitted for funding as an editor.
    • Co-leads planning events that may include, but are not limited to: o State of the Bays conference and other similar events o Events in coordination with other NEPs o Program Evaluation conducted by EPA (every 5 years) o Events in coordination with UMass Boston and/or other partners

This position does not include lobbying.

This is a full-time position (37.5 hrs/week) with funding guaranteed for at least two years. Position may be extended based on availability of funding.

Salary: This position is a fully benefited position.



Qualifications: 

  • Minimum Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (journalism, communications, public relations, environmental studies) At least three years of relevant experience.
  • Excellent writing skills, as demonstrated by two writing samples (e.g., press release, newsletter article, blog post) submitted with application.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, as evidenced by previous collaborative efforts described in a cover letter. Interest in environmental protection is expected.
  • Familiarity with Massachusetts state and local government structures is preferred.

 

  • Supervision Received:  Director, MassBays National Estuary Partnership 
  • Supervision Exercised: None

 

 

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 32             

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

  All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [email protected] or 617-287-5150.

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