Communications Specialist

About the Job

The Licking County Humane Society (LCHS) is looking for a Communications professional who loves animals as much as we do.

About Us

We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has been serving Licking County since 1966, currently operating a shelter that includes a veterinary clinic and many outreach programs, as well as Sophie's Thrift store, which supplements our operating budget. We employ about 50 people, with a mix of full-time and part-time positions. Our mission is: To rescue animals to improve lives.

Learn More About LCHS:

Website:

Facebook:

Instagram:

How you will impact our mission:

The Communications Specialist will broaden brand awareness, which helps to deepen public trust in our mission, engage new audiences, and maintain current supporters and donors. If you are a highly organized, forward-thinking communications professional, and love our 4-legged creatures, this is the job for you If you want to be an active part of a team that saves abused, neglected, and homeless animals, you're one of us

What you'll do:

• Create daily social media posts for the Licking County Humane Society and Sophie's Thrift Store.
• Assist Executive Director and Director of Development with fundraising and external communications activities, including but not limited to production of mass appeals campaigns, social media and website content, donor information packets, event leadership, and other administrative needs.
• Design marketing collateral to raise awareness of initiatives, events, and programs.
• Keep an eye on marketing trends, with an emphasis on copywriting.
• Develop and distribute featured-pet content to media outlets and community partners.
• Create and send a weekly "behind the scenes" donor text update.
• Produce Sophie's Thrift Store "Story of the Month" displays.
• Work in conjunction with Sophie's Store Manager on the Sophie's Thrift marketing calendar.
• Work with local media (interviews, written content, etc.).
• Create and maintain promotional materials for sponsored events.
• Produce the Annual Impact Report.
• Develop three direct mail and multiple specialized social media fundraising appeals annually.
• Maintain and update LCHS promotional materials.
• Manage LCHS website and assist with planned redesign.
• Coordinate and facilitate PR/Marketing Committee meetings on an as-needed basis.
• Produce a quarterly e-newsletter (via Constant Contact) to keep stakeholders current on shelter happenings.
• Provide outstanding customer service to all stakeholders at every level.
• Collect, analyze, and monitor trend metrics on a variety of topics, including fundraising, social media, website, and others.
• Proactively capture photos, videos, testimonials, interviews, etc. to help tell the story of LCHS.
• Write reports, business correspondences, and procedure manuals.
• Pull reports from CRMs (e.g., PetPoint, Constant Contact, Harness, Donor Perfect) and provide analysis related to giving.

What we're looking for:

• A minimum of 1–3 years of related experience is preferred (post-graduate and/or entry level candidates will be considered).
• Bachelor's degree preferred in Communications or a related field (e.g., Marketing, Public Relations, Graphic Design).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled in creating multimedia content, including photo and video capture, basic editing, and storytelling across social platforms.
• Proficiency with Canva or similar graphic design software for social, digital, and print content.
• Proven social media and networking expertise.
• Ability to align communications outputs to our strategic plan and vision.
• Capability in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and related platforms.
• Comfortable presenting information and responding to questions from managers, stakeholders, and the public.

Where we see growth in this position

• Expanding social media content to other platforms (e.g., YouTube, TikTok).
• Work with the Director of Development on developing ideas and initiatives for the upcoming strategic plan.
• Increased visibility and awareness of the behind-the-scenes work at LCHS and the employee stories that make this shelter special.

What's in it for you:

• The most rewarding job you will ever have.
• The opportunity to spend your day working passionately on behalf of homeless, abused, and neglected animals.
• Flexible scheduling to work around your needs, although we prefer you are here each weekday for a few hours to capture stories.
• Part-time employees receive free adoptions, discounts on wellness care for their pets, including spay/neuter and dentals, and discounted preventatives.
• Shelter pets can visit your office during the day if they have been approved by the behavioral staff.

The Selection Process:

• Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted by the Director of Human Resources.
• The first round of interviews will be virtual/phone meetings.
• The second round of interviews will be in person at LCHS.
• This interview will be a panel interview. Candidates will be told who they are interviewing with prior to the interview.
• Candidates will be asked to bring work samples (e.g., video, photo, written content). Work samples will be treated confidentially and candidates will not be expected to leave work samples with LCHS staff. Work samples may be from professional experience, a college program, and/or an internship. Candidates may be asked to create a short work sample.
• Our primary goal is to find the best person for the role. Ideally, we would like to have a candidate selected by the end of January, 2026.
• Candidates not selected will be notified. You took the time to apply, you deserve a response from us.

What's it like in an animal shelter?

LCHS is a unique work location You'll see animals throughout the day, see individuals and families connecting with our furry friends, and be a firsthand witness to all the wonderful work this team does each day.

Your office will be a standard office environment, and you will be sitting at a desk for many activities during the day. Because we work with animals, it can be loud and sometimes a little stinky, but we work to make the shelter a comfortable environment for all people and animals who spend time here. Animals coming into the shelter can also have illnesses such as bacteria, parasites etc., but sick animals are mostly contained in an isolation unit.

Working with our amazing cats and dogs is an incredible responsibility that brings a lot of joy to our employees as we see many happy endings for our four-legged friends. Animal welfare is also stressful and can sometimes be sad. We work to ensure our employees have all the resources they need to be the best caretakers possible. We also take safety seriously. As with any work environment that includes live animals, risk of bites or other injuries is possible.

NOTE

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Things happen, and we are a small not-for-profit working as a team to make animals' lives better every day

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or any class protected by law.

LCHS is an At-Will employer. This is not a contract for employment.

LCHS may require background check(s).

Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed to assist in meeting the job duties.

Questions?

Reach out to:

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 – 30 per week

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Heath, OH 43056