Update: This position has been filled. Thank you!
We’re looking for a new Communications Associate* to help develop and carry out a strategic communications plan for the Arizona office, which supports our overall mission and vision, raises our visibility, and contributes directly to our goal of changing the public dialogue on criminal justice issues.
Title: Communications Program Associate
Status: Full-Time, Specific-Term through December 31, 2021 (likely renewal upon receipt of funding)
Location: Tucson or Phoenix, AZ (flexible)
Application Deadline: March 12, 2021
For consideration, please attach a cover letter and resume to your completed online application.
*Please note: The position is equivalent to a Communications Director in most organizations, in terms of responsibilities and compensation. The job title Program Associate is set by AFSC national HR.
Program Summary
AFSC-Arizona is a program of American Friends Service Committee that focuses exclusively on criminal justice reform. We work to shift Arizona’s punitive and retributive approach to justice to one that addresses root causes, adopts best practices for building safe and healthy communities, and emphasizes inclusivity and healing.
A key component that runs throughout our work is fostering the leadership of systems-involved people. People directly impacted by the criminal punishment system—formerly incarcerated people, crime survivors, and their families—are uniquely positioned to lead the creation of approaches that heal trauma and repair harm.
The long-term goal of AFSC-Arizona’s program is to reduce the scope and impact of the criminal punishment system in Arizona and beyond, specifically through these broad objectives:
- Reducing the number of people under the custody and control of the criminal punishment system
- Halting expansion of the entire system—not just incarceration, but other forms of supervision, and surveillance
- Shifting from punitive approaches to addressing root causes and investing community-based programs that create safety, health, and well-being for all
Principal Responsibilities
The Communications Associate will help develop and carry out a strategic communications plan for the Arizona office which supports our overall mission and vision, raises our visibility, and contributes directly to our goal of changing the public dialogue on criminal justice issues.
This person will be responsible for brand management, message development, media relations, and social media, utilizing messaging and voice in conjunction with national and regional guidelines. Responsibilities span cultivation of relationships with relevant journalists and outlets, development of press releases, statements, web content, social media posting, copy editing of program materials and reports, and basic graphic design (social media posts). Where appropriate, the Communications Director will direct outside consultants to produce original content such as videos, layout and graphic design projects, or podcasts. The Communications Associate will report to the Program Director and will be responsible for supporting all projects in the Arizona program (AFSC-AZ).
- Co-develop and implement strategic communications plan to broaden awareness of AFSC-AZ and raise our visibility across multiple platforms.
- Work with staff to refine and strengthen our message and overall “branding” by creating detailed media plans for all major campaigns and actions.
- Ensure messaging and branding is consistent with AFSC-AZ program goals and AFSC communications practices.
- Serve as the primary point person for all PR and media related matters including pitching, creating and disseminating press materials, and organizing interviews and press conferences. Maintain ongoing relationships with key journalists and outlets.
- Manage all social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Deploy social media monitoring and response strategies to manage AFSC-AZ’s brand and insert it strategically into relevant conversations online.
- Monitor, analyze, and advance reach and impact of media using advanced analytics.
- Help produce and edit text of all AFSC-AZ printed and electronic materials, including annual and quarterly reports (internal and external), fact sheets, analyses, mass emails and newsletters to donors and staff, and other external and internal organizational documents.
- Document (photo/video) program activities.
- Manage relationships with any communications-related vendors and consultants, including webmaster, IT, graphic designers, photographer/videographers.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or extensive work experience in journalism, communications or related field.
Experience: Minimum 2 years’ experience in communications, journalism, broadcasting, marketing, publishing, or related field. Formerly incarcerated people and families of incarcerated people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Other Required Skills and Abilities:
- Strong written and oral communications skills.
- Copy editing experience and familiarity with AP style.
- Knowledge of issues related to criminal justice reform and the major outlets/platforms/journalists that cover or discuss these issues.
- Proficiency in using social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Docs.
- Basic graphic design skills (for social media posts, documents, and materials), and branding/marketing techniques.
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative suite, including Premiere Pro, Audition & Photoshop applications
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, sometimes intense environment.
- Expert in juggling priorities and deadlines.
- Emotional maturity and a sense of humor.
- Person of strong character, integrity, and discretion.
- Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
- Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
Compensation
Salary is set at approximately $50,000 based on organizational and union agreements. Non-Exempt. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.
For consideration, please attach a cover letter and resume to your completed online application.
Notices
The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.
The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.
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Thanks a lot for making this available.