Work With Us
The Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (Friends of CAIC) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote avalanche forecasting and education throughout Colorado. The Friends collaborate with the CAIC to ensure that information on avalanche conditions is readily available to the public and to promote avalanche safety through innovative educational efforts and sponsored events.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a program within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, tasked with reducing the impact of snow avalanches on recreation, industry, and transportation. The program receives funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado Severance Tax Fund, and cash funding via contracts, grants, and donations, most of which come from the users of the forecasting and educational services. The CAIC depends on a successful fundraising effort in order to carry out its mission.
join the Friends of caic trailhead outreach team on a visit to vail pass
Marketing & Communications Officer
Reports to: Development Director
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Position Summary
The Marketing & Communications Officer is responsible for elevating the voice, visibility, and impact of Friends of CAIC across Colorado. This role leads organizational storytelling, digital presence, and public-facing communications to deepen community engagement, support fundraising, and strengthen brand awareness. Working closely with the Executive Director, CAIC leadership and communications staff, and development staff, the Officer ensures that our mission and impact are consistently communicated to donors, partners, media, and the broader mountain community.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications (35%)
- Develop and implement a communications strategy that aligns with Friends of CAIC’s strategic plan and fundraising goals.
- Maintain consistent brand voice, tone, and messaging across all channels.
- Produce and distribute newsletters, annual reports, impact stories, and campaign collateral.
- Partner with Development and CAIC staff to create compelling donor and sponsor-facing materials that support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Exercise sound judgment by balancing the creativity and flexibility of nonprofit work with the standards, public accountability, and bureaucratic requirements of CAIC as a governmental agency.
-Communicate complex and technical avalanche and public safety information in a clear, simple, and accessible manner to diverse audiences..
Marketing & Campaigns (25%)
- Collaborate closely with the Development team to design and implement integrated marketing campaigns that drive fundraising, membership, and event participation.
- Build and execute campaigns that leverage storytelling, impact data, and CAIC field work to connect with supporters.
- Investigate and recommend new and innovative ways to leverage organizational resources, social media, and other platforms to communicate both fundraising and public safety messages.
- Manage marketing calendars and ensure alignment with development priorities (appeals, Colorado Gives Day, membership pushes, major events).
- Develop and maintain relationships with creative vendors, contractors, and media outlets to amplify campaigns.
- Establish, track, and evaluate metrics to assess the effectiveness of all marketing and communications campaigns, aiming to maximize reach, conversion, ROI, and long-term impact, and adjust strategies as needed.
Digital Presence & Content (20%)
- Manage website content, updates, and analytics.
- Lead social media strategy, content creation, scheduling, and reporting across platforms.
- Create and curate engaging content (blogs, stories, photos, videos) that highlights CAIC’s work and the impact of Friends of CAIC.
- Track engagement metrics and use insights to refine strategies.
Outreach & Partnerships (20%)
- Represent Friends of CAIC at events, conferences, and other public engagements accurately and professionally, conveying the organization’s mission, and confidently serving as a spokesperson in sensitive or high-visibility settings.
- Maintain relationships with media outlets and manage press outreach.
- Support community outreach campaigns and PSA efforts in collaboration with programmatic staff and CAIC staff, ensuring all campaigns are aligned with organizational priorities, messaging, and audience needs.
- Collaborate with the Strategic Partnerships Officer to leverage corporate and community relationships, ensuring outreach and communications efforts reinforce partnership goals and expand organizational visibility.
- Work with the Trailhead team to amplify outreach impact and integrate field stories into communications.
Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in communications, marketing, or public outreach.
- Strong storytelling skills with an eye for compelling content.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills; adaptable tone and style for technical, donor, and public audiences.
- Proven ability to translate complex/technical concepts into straightforward, compelling messages.
- Proficiency with digital platforms: Mailchimp, Canva, social media scheduling tools, Squarespace/WordPress, Google Analytics, and AI/LLM tools.
- Experience managing social media campaigns and reporting metrics.
- Ability to work independently, juggle multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
- Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Bloomerang) is a plus.
- Passion for outdoor recreation, mountain communities, or public safety preferred.
- Candidate must live within 20 minutes of the I-70 corridor between Denver and Eagle.
Work Environment & Schedule
- Remote position with a requirement to attend in-person meetings/events.
- Some evenings and weekends are required for events.
- Travel throughout Colorado will be required.
Compensation
- Salary range: $52,000 - $65,000 annually (commensurate with experience)
- Flexible work schedule
- Mileage compensation at the standard IRS mileage rate
- Opportunity to participate in Friends of CAIC Health Insurance plan
- Opportunity to participate in Friends of CAIC 401k plan after 6 months of employment
- Monthly cell phone reimbursement
- Ski Pass reimbursement
- Opportunity for continuing education support
Anti-Discrimination
Friends of CAIC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and services. Friends of CAIC is consciously and proactively inclusive of all areas of diversity, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, socioeconomic status, marital status, language, disability, or immigration status.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can send a cover letter, resume, and portfolio in PDF format via email to: info@friendsofcaic.org. Please write “Marketing & Communications Officer” in the subject of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; the position will remain open until filled.
