(Temporary) Project Communications Specialist - NJ Organizing Committee, AFSCME

[afsc...@gmail.com]

New Jersey Organizing Committee

Project Communications Specialist

Location: Hamilton, N.J.

Starting Salary: $55,000

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has an opening for a Project Communications Specialist.  This position supports the New Jersey Organizing Committee and is responsible for developing the principal communications strategy in major organizing, contract and other priority campaign work for AFSCME New Jersey. 

Incumbent works closely with International staff, affiliates, unorganized workers and members. Provides communications training for staff and members and produces print, electronic and other materials to support the council work.   The position is also responsible for the development and implementation of communications strategies and responding to additional requests and assignments from council management.  Additional responsibilities include:

  

• Leads the planning and development of communications strategies for organizing campaigns, political campaigns and major projects in coordination with International staff and affiliates. 

• Drafts press releases, statements, talking points, and letters to the editor and opinion editorials for national and local union officers and members.

• Responsible for the development of communication strategies by working with national and local reporters and bloggers to promote AFSCME members, issues and priorities.

• Plans and implements earned and paid media efforts, including organizing and coordinating news events.

• Utilizes AFSCME digital media assets to plan and execute campaigns, including the strategic use of email, text programs, websites and social media.

• Leads design process of leaflets, brochures and direct mail pieces, video and other materials for internal and external organizing campaigns.

• Assists organizing team with campaign message training of committee members, volunteer organizers and others involved in home visits and other one-campagraon-one communications.

• Engages in worker mobilization, community and political outreach efforts associated with targeted campaigns.

• Assists with conducting training in communications strategy, message development and delivery techniques to locals and allies.

• Works with Organizing and Field Services and affiliates to develop their organizing communications capacity.

• Assists with the planning and production of recorded radio and video productions featuring an AFSCME spokesperson.

• Responsible for the development of blogs, editorials and editorial pieces for placement on line and in newspapers and magazines.

• Performs other duties as required to support the department and its mission.

Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in labor relations, communications, political science or liberal arts.  

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience in online organizing, digital media buying, strategic communications and issue, political or labor organizing; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Skills Requirements:

• Knowledge of and experience in organizing campaigns. 

• Knowledge of and experience with media relations. 

• Basic knowledge of graphic design software, video production and printing techniques. 

• Knowledge and experience with electronic forms of communications. 

• Ability to coordinate multidimensional campaign communications strategies. 

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills. 

• Ability to develop a campaign message and enforce message discipline in fast-paced campaigns. 

• Ability to analyze research data and make logical conclusions. 

• Ability to write and create leaflets, brochures, direct mail pieces, video scripts and other materials. 

• Ability to use initiative to execute projects that may be vaguely defined. 

• Ability to travel for AFSCME business, including political and organizing campaigns required.

• Ability to communicate in a foreign language desirable.  

Benefits:  In addition to a competitive salary, this position will also include an employer paid health insurance plan.  

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit resumes to lca...@afscme.org.