Communications Specialist
Job title: Communications Specialist
Location: Washington, D.C. (Metro-accessible)
Organization: The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY)
Due: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled
BACKGROUND: The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (Campaign) works to end the practice of sentencing youth to life without the possibility of parole (JLWOP) in the United States. The Campaign works with advocates across the United States and in Washington, D.C. that use public education, advocacy, and litigation as strategies to pursue this goal. We work with active state campaigns and are advised by a committee of experts in the field.
SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Communications Specialist will develop and implement a robust communications strategy that supports the Campaign goals. The Communications Specialist will report directly to the Director& National Coordinator, and will be based in Washington, DC. Salary is commensurate with experience and health benefits are included.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Develop and implement strategic communications plan for the Campaign including messages to advance reform efforts
- Draft hard-copy and social media-friendly materials, including reports, fact sheets, and newsletters, for public education purposes
- Train state-based campaign members on the national communications strategy. Work with these state-based advocates to strengthen their own communications work, including tailoring national and state messages, developing talking points, interacting with reporters, and identifying new and unlikely spokespeople, consistent with the Campaign’s national communication strategy
- Provide assistance to state campaign members in writing and placing op-eds, letters to the editor, and state-specific press advisories/releases
- Oversee website redesign project
- Create material for, and update information on, Campaign website
- Write and distribute press releases/ media advisories on behalf of the Campaign
- Liaise with national reporters and media outlets to help shape news coverage.
- Coordinate media appearances for Campaign spokespeople
- Maintain press clippings and press lists of reporters covering criminal justice issues
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Four-six years of substantial experience in the field of public relations, with a preference for issue-based campaigns.
- Excellent written communications skills.
- Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans to advance issue-based campaigns
- Demonstrated experience working directly with reporters and advocates
- Experience coordinating public relations for campaigns related to social justice issues is strongly preferred. Commitment to criminal justice issues, particularly reform to harsh juvenile sentencing practices in the United States, and /or human rights in the United States is desired.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Innovative and strategic – Knows how to identify and reach target audiences in creative and persuasive ways
- Leads with vision—Able to think big picture and pay attention to detail, while adeptly handling sometimes conflicting communications strategies
- Self-motivated – able to take the initiative to develop and implement new ideas and work diligently without a lot of supervision.
- Excellent communicator – Honest and straightforward in communicating among campaign members and effective at engaging external stakeholders
- Commitment to working as a team – friendly and courteous, willing to work closely with the Campaign and as part of the larger community working to end JLWOP
HOW TO APPLY:(no calls or email inquiries) Email in a single submission: a letter of interest, your resume, names or letters of at least three references, and a brief, original writing sample and/or sample press release to info@fairsentencingofyouth.org. Use “Communications Specialist” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
*** The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
Intern
Deadlines:
Summer internship (late May/early June through August): March 15
Fall internship (early September through mid-December): July 10
Spring internship (mid-January through May): November 1
To apply:
Email a letter of interest, your resume, two references, and a transcript (unofficial is okay) to info@fairsentencingofyouth.org. Use “Intern” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
The intern(s) will become familiar with national and state efforts to end juvenile life without parole sentencing. The intern(s) will assist the CFSY staff by undertaking research projects of varied materials and complexities, attending local juvenile justice meetings, assisting with communications related activities, and performing program support and administrative tasks. College credit eligibility and letters of recommendation provided upon successful completion of the internship. Part-time.
Duties:
• Perform administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, working within Salesforce, and Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook.
• Assist with event planning
• Research, collect and compile data on relevant legislation and individuals serving juvenile life without parole around the country.
• Respond to mail from individuals in prison.
• Represent the Campaign at various juvenile and criminal justice meetings in the DC area.
• Participate in team meetings and state advocacy calls.
• Assist with the collection and distribution of relevant news stories.
• Assist in the implementation of new media strategy.
• Assist in the maintenance of organization’s social networking sites.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
• Commitment to criminal and juvenile justice issues, particularly reform to harsh juvenile sentencing practices in the United States, racial discrimination in juvenile justice, and /or human rights in the United States.
• Some experience working with Microsoft Office applications. Salesforce experience a plus.
• Well developed organization skills with attention to detail.
• Mature and reliable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to take direction and work as a team – friendly and courteous, willing to work as part of the larger community efforts to end juvenile life without parole.
• Excellent writing abilities.
• Prefer upperclass standing, graduate students welcome to apply.
The CFSY is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
Deadlines:
Summer internship (late May/early June through August): March 15
Fall internship (early September through mid-December): July 10
Spring internship (mid-January through May): November 1
