Communications Associate

The Organization
The BTS Center, located in Portland, Maine, cultivates and nurtures spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world. We envision a world of human hearts renewed, justice established, and creation restored.

Toward that vision, we’re working to catalyze spiritual imagination with enduring wisdom for transformative faith leadership. We do this by offering theologically grounded programs of spiritual and vocational formation: workshops and retreats, learning communities, reading groups, public conversations and rituals, and projects of applied research.

The BTS Center is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation growing from the deep roots of the former Bangor Theological Seminary. We seek to honor the work of God in the world by embodying these values:

Courage: Honestly engaging our changing religious landscape

Resilience: Cultivating the ability to adapt

Collaboration: Doing more together

Generosity: Readily giving of ourselves and our resources

Integrity: Holding ourselves to high standards in all we do

Statement of Purpose
The Communications Associate works closely with the Strategic Communications Director and The BTS Center’s Program Team to embody the voice of The BTS Center. Together, the Communications Team will manage external communications, promote programs, draw constituents into deeper relationship, support online and in-person programming, communicate research findings, and ensure consistency of messaging that aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, and core values.

Responsibilities
The Communications Associate will create content aligned with The BTS Center’s communications strategies:

Assist with the development of regular e-newsletters and program-related emails

Contribute to development of annual Report to the Community and occasional print newsletter pieces

Cultivate voice, presence, and visibility in the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Substack, Bluesky, and other platforms as needed

Assist with development and execution of content for strong social media presence

Engage with social media audiences

Occasionally draft blog posts in accordance with Substack and blog communications strategy

They will provide support to inform The BTS Center’s communications strategies:

Collect website and social media analytics to assess digital engagement

Assist Strategic Communications Director with task management, together implementing a strategy to promote programs and podcast

Coordinate with Substack and blog authors

Collaborate with Program Team to communicate research findings for non-academic audiences

They will contribute as an important member of The BTS Center’s team:

Assist in hosting online programs and occasionally take a forward-facing role in co-hosting in-person programs

Participate in twice-monthly Staff Meetings and Program Team meetings approximately monthly

Help to nurture positive relationships within The BTS Center, with partners, and with the public

Note: The responsibilities described here do not represent a comprehensive list. Additional tasks may be required from time to time.

Characteristics & Qualifications
A strong Communications Associate candidate has the following personal characteristics:

Strong resonance with the mission, vision, and core values of The BTS Center

Demonstrated interest in issues related to spiritual leadership and the climate crisis

Experience in communications for a mission-driven organization

Demonstrated commitment to the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and belonging

Experience in communicating with socio-economically, racially, and religiously diverse audiences

Cursory awareness of current realities facing faith communities and the changing religious landscape

In work settings, they exhibit:

Attention to detail

The ability to work independently and take initiative

An open-minded, collaborative, encouraging spirit that assists in the building of a team

A willingness to accept and offer constructive feedback on creative work

A proven ability to listen, assume positive intent, manage conflict, and identify solutions

Flexibility, adaptability, and the ongoing practice of self-reflection

They possess the following qualifications:

Well-developed administrative and organizational skills

Project and task management skills

Proficiency in (or capacity to learn quickly) a range of business software applications to support the organization’s communications and program functions, such as Microsoft Office, Google platforms, Zoom, Vimeo, YouTube, and Salesforce

Highly effective communication skills: writing, speaking, editing, proofreading

Basic competency with graphic design and/or strong graphic sensibilities

Proficiency in (or capacity to quickly learn) a range of communications and business software applications:

Social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Substack, Bluesky

Business software: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, Salesforce or other CRM, email marketing software

Graphic and video creation: Canva, iMovie

If your qualifications do not correlate with all of the above, but you believe you would still be a strong candidate for this position, we would still be happy to receive an application from you.

Salary & Benefits
This is a part-time (50% FTE), exempt position, offering competitive compensation and benefits:

Salary: $30,000

403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match

Short- and long-term disability and life insurance policies

10 days paid vacation (pro-rated based on 20 days for full-time employees) available after three months of employment, plus personal days

10 paid holidays (Note: part-time employees receive compensation for holidays that occur on their usual work days)

Opportunities for professional development

Collaboration & Accountability
The Communications Associate works collaboratively with and under the supervision of the Strategic Communications Director, in close collaboration with the rest of the staff team.

Work Space
Our core staff are all located within driving distance of Southern Maine. Likewise, this position will be oriented toward The BTS Center’s collaborative office space located on India Street in Portland, Maine, with flexibility for a hybrid office / at-home work balance.

Hiring Commitment
The BTS Center commits to recruiting, equipping, and supporting staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, identities, and abilities in order to more deeply reflect the communities of which we are a part. A climate-changed world calls us to reckon more deeply with historical and present-day human marginalization. We believe deeply in the gifts of diversity in race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, ability, and national origin.

To Apply
Please send the following by August 14, 2026, to Ophelia Hu Kinney, Strategic Communications Director, at ophelia@thebtscenter.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and initial interviews will be scheduled during the second half of August.

A thoughtful cover letter

Resumé or CV

Two writing samples that demonstrate your voice. Writing samples can be but are not limited to:

A brief (professional or academic) writing assignment

A sermon

Screenshots of or links to social media posts

A blog post

A Letter to the Editor, op-ed, or legislative testimony

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