📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Communications Writer
🔹 Company: FIVE18 Family Services Operations Inc.
🔹 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30
🔹 Experience Level: 1-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing compelling written content for various platforms (print, digital, video, audio)
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify key messaging and develop editorial calendars
- Creating donor-centric messaging that resonates with different audience segments
- Editing and proofreading content to ensure accuracy, clarity, and brand consistency
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong writer with a background in communications, editorial, or writing, and experience in non-profit communications or journalism is a plus but not necessary.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Create engaging copy for print materials, blogs, email campaigns, press releases, video and audio scripts, events, speeches, fundraising appeals, and collaborate on social media posts
✅ Develop compelling narratives highlighting the impact of the non-profit's programs and services with a call to action
✅ Create donor-centric messaging that resonates with different audience segments
✅ Edit and proofread all written content for accuracy, clarity, and brand voice consistency
✅ Collaborate with teams to identify key messaging, develop editorial calendars, and determine appropriate content formats for different audiences
✅ Contribute creative ideas to brainstorming sessions for new content initiatives
✅ Provide feedback on design elements to enhance the overall impact of communication materials
ASSUMPTION: The role may occasionally require being comfortable in front of a camera for video or audio content.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Four year college (Bachelor's Degree) – Communications, Editorial, Writing
Experience: 1-5 years
Required Skills:
- Strong writing skills with excellent command of grammar, punctuation, and style
- Self-starter with innovative ideas for cross-platform content and ability to meet deadlines
- Storytelling ability to generate compelling narratives that evoke emotion and highlight the impact of the organization's programs and initiatives
- Editing expertise with attention to detail and ability to identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, and style
- Familiarity with non-profit fundraising strategies, donor motivations, and the challenges faced by the sector
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in non-profit communications or journalism
- Comfort in front of a camera for video or audio content
ASSUMPTION: A reliable means of transportation is required for this on-site role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $35,000 - $45,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Communications Writer with 1-5 years of experience in the non-profit sector in Lynchburg, VA)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee assistance program
Working Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with additional hours as warranted
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Individual and Family Services
Company Size: 51-200 employees (Small to mid-sized non-profit)
Founded: 1961 (Over 60 years of experience in the non-profit sector)
Company Description:
- FIVE18 Family Services is a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to building communities of faithful relationships that ensure children are safe, and families are restored
- The organization provides a range of services, including family care, counseling, and trauma-informed camp programming
- FIVE18 operates with a vision to see every child in Central Virginia safe in their own family or in another setting with caregivers supported by a local faith community by 2030
Company Specialties:
- Hat Creek Camp
- Hope for Tomorrow Counseling
- Keeping Children Safe
- The Hammersly Conference Center
- Keeping Families Strong
- Help Hope and Healing
- Hope Academy for Counselor Excellence
- Dare2Dad
- Kinship Navigator of Central VA
Company Website: https://www.FIVE18.org
ASSUMPTION: FIVE18 Family Services is a well-established non-profit organization with a strong mission and a range of services aimed at supporting families and children in Central Virginia.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (1-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Marketing
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with occasional additional hours as warranted
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the marketing department or explore other roles within the organization as the company expands its services
- Opportunity to develop skills in various content formats and platforms
- Possibility to mentor or collaborate with interns or volunteers
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive and mission-driven organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Controlled atmosphere building with long periods of sitting at a computer/desk
Office Location(s): 1621 Enterprise Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502, US
Geographic Context:
- Lynchburg, Virginia, is a city with a population of approximately 80,000 people, located in the central part of the state
- The city offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with a relatively low cost of living compared to other metropolitan areas in the United States
- Lynchburg is home to several colleges and universities, providing a diverse and educated workforce
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with additional hours as warranted
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is supportive and collaborative, with a focus on mission-driven outcomes and a commitment to the organization's values.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the company's careers portal
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager or HR representative
- In-person or virtual interview with the Director of Marketing and potentially other team members
- Background check and reference check for the final candidate
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and editing skills
- Storytelling ability and creativity
- Understanding of non-profit communications and fundraising strategies
- Cultural fit and alignment with the organization's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant writing, editing, and non-profit experience
- Provide examples of your work, such as blog posts, articles, or marketing materials, to demonstrate your skills
- Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with non-profit fundraising strategies and donor motivations
ATS Keywords: Communications, Writer, Editor, Non-profit, Fundraising, Storytelling, Marketing, Donor, Engagement
ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess the candidate's writing and editing skills, as well as their understanding of non-profit communications and alignment with the organization's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) - optional, but preferred
- Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard in the communications and marketing industry, with some flexibility for the candidate to bring their preferred tools and platforms to the organization.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Faith-based mission and vision
- Commitment to building communities of faithful relationships
- Focus on ensuring children are safe and families are restored
Work Style:
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Mission-driven and results-oriented approach
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and deadlines
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the organization's faith-based mission and vision?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative and supportive team environment, with a focus on mission-driven outcomes?
- Do you have experience working with donors and understanding donor motivations in a non-profit setting?
ASSUMPTION: FIVE18 Family Services is a faith-based non-profit organization that values a collaborative and supportive work environment, with a focus on mission-driven outcomes and a commitment to the organization's values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Occasional tight deadlines and the need to work additional hours as warranted
- Balancing multiple projects and content formats simultaneously
- Adapting to changes in priorities and content needs within a growing non-profit organization
- Working in a controlled atmosphere building with long periods of sitting at a computer/desk
ASSUMPTION: The role may present challenges related to tight deadlines, balancing multiple projects, and adapting to changes in priorities, but these can be managed effectively within a supportive and collaborative work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Communications Writer vs. Content Marketing Specialist: Both roles focus on creating engaging content, but the Communications Writer role is more focused on storytelling and non-profit communications, while the Content Marketing Specialist role is more focused on digital marketing and SEO strategies
- Non-profit vs. Corporate Communications: The non-profit sector often has more limited resources and a greater emphasis on storytelling and mission-driven communications, while the corporate sector may have more resources and a focus on branding and public relations
- Communications Writer vs. Technical Writer: The Communications Writer role focuses on creating engaging and accessible content for a wide range of audiences, while the Technical Writer role focuses on creating detailed and accurate content for specific, often technical, audiences
ASSUMPTION: The Communications Writer role at FIVE18 Family Services is unique in its focus on storytelling, non-profit communications, and mission-driven outcomes, but it shares similarities with other communications and marketing roles in the non-profit and corporate sectors.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a series of blog posts highlighting the impact of the organization's family care services on the lives of children and families
- Creating a fundraising appeal campaign that resonates with donors and encourages them to support the organization's mission
- Editing and proofreading a quarterly newsletter to ensure accuracy, clarity, and brand voice consistency
ASSUMPTION: The Communications Writer role at FIVE18 Family Services offers a range of projects that allow the successful candidate to showcase their writing, editing, and storytelling skills while making a meaningful impact on the organization's mission.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workflow and content priorities for this role?
- How does the Communications Writer role collaborate with other teams within the organization, such as Family Care and Counseling?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the marketing department and the organization as a whole?
- How does the organization support work-life balance for its employees, particularly in a role with occasional additional hours as warranted?
- What is the organization's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and employment practices?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and relevant questions during the interview process demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and their commitment to understanding the organization's mission, values, and work environment.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the FIVE18 Family Services careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant writing, editing, and non-profit experience
- Provide examples of your work, such as blog posts, articles, or marketing materials, to demonstrate your skills
- Prepare for your interview by researching the organization's mission, values, and services, as well as the role's responsibilities and required qualifications
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
