Communications and Digital Director

[The Public Interest Network]

At Toxics Action Center, we start from the core belief that everyone has the right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live in a healthy community where government operates responsively and democratically. For 30 years, our mission has been to make these rights a reality by organizing side by side with residents who are facing toxic threats to build their capacity and power. We train residents in the skills and know-how they need to run effective local campaigns, while also developing long-term leaders to fuel New England’s progressive movements. Our work has helped groups win hundreds of local victories: we prevented radioactive waste dumps from being built across Massachusetts, won fights against incinerators and landfills and for zero waste across the region, won retirement of four coal-fired power plants in New England, and organized with citizens in South Portland to stop ExxonMobil’s plans to bring tar sands into Maine.

The ideal candidate is passionate about community organizing and movement building. Candidates must be ambitious, detail-oriented, have strong written communication skills, and have a track record of accomplishment. We value previous organizing experience, including organizing on campus.

We are seeking a smart, hard-working and detail-oriented individual who knows that it takes an engaged and active citizenry to make democracy work, hold polluters accountable, and win real results for public health and the environment.

The Communications and Digital Director for Toxics Action Center will direct an inspired and vibrant communications program, manage online organizing and coach grassroots groups on online/offline campaign strategy, and provides the infrastructure and resources needed to win on our crucial campaigns organizing with communities to tackle environmental threats and bring residents together to achieve proactive, positive change.

Background:

At Toxics Action Center, we start from the core belief that everyone has the right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live in a healthy community where government operates responsively and democratically. For 30 years, our mission has been to make these rights a reality by organizing side by side with residents who are facing toxic threats to build their capacity and power. We train residents in the skills and know-how they need to run effective local campaigns, while also developing long-term leaders to fuel New England’s progressive movements. Our work has helped groups win hundreds of local victories: we prevented radioactive waste dumps from being built across Massachusetts, won fights against incinerators and landfills and for zero waste across the region, won retirement of four coal-fired power plants in New England, and organized with citizens in South Portland to stop ExxonMobil’s plans to bring tar sands into Maine.

The ideal candidate is passionate about community organizing and movement building. Candidates must be ambitious, detail-oriented, have strong written communication skills, and have a track record of accomplishment. We value previous organizing experience.

We are seeking an organizational builder who is strategic, efficient, systems-oriented, attentive to detail, and an excellent writer. That’s where you come in. You believe in the power of building groups and strengthening communities and have seen that when communities join together to organize they can win against powerful special interests. You are sharp, committed to community organizing and social change, with excellent problem-solving abilities, and strong project management skills.

Key Responsibilities:


Communications, Publicity and Outreach. Increase the organization’s media presence and name recognition through events, campaign materials and membership communications. Write and design press releases, member newsletters, blog posts, infographics, brochures, petitions, and other materials as needed. Manage content creation for the website and social media accounts and keep them regularly updated. Conduct outreach to secure coverage of Toxics Action Center’s campaigns in traditional print, TV, radio, and online media outlets.
Digital Organizing. Work with the community organizing team to synchronize online organizing with community campaigns. Manage all online communications with members and supporters, working to grow Toxics Action Center’s lists, ability to mobilize through creative email and social media campaigns and to fundraise online. Write emails and web content, including timely calls to action, event invitations and fundraising appeals. Oversee a project to expand digital organizing tools we offer community activists including selecting digital organizing platform, soliciting feedback from experts and activists, and developing training materials.
Event Organizing. Organize the Local Environmental Action Conference and assist in the coordination of other New England conferences. Help plan and implement staff retreats and leadership retreats for activists.
Organizational Support. Assure good systems for health and environmental information, organizing work and financial records. Share this information with staff and community groups. Assist in developing and managing budgets and financial records. Manage and track income and expenses. Cultivate relationships with universities to attract interns. Manage the internship program.
Community Organizing Assistance. Answer member inquiries, provide information and organizing advice on environmental threats. Opportunity to coordinate a coalition to expand recycling in Boston and provide organizing support to community groups.
Fundraising. Identify and cultivate donors, assist with grant-writing, and participate in other grassroots fundraising tactics including door-to-door canvassing and letter writing. Increase Toxics Action Center’s membership base by recruiting new members online and managing communication with members. Help manage organizational list growth and acquisition. Ensure that all income from membership, donations, major donor, and sponsorships is deposited and recorded correctly. Depending on years of experience, staffer may also run a summer fundraising and outreach canvass office.
Qualifications:

Candidates must have leadership experience, strong written and verbal communication skills,  and experience running successful social media campaigns and other online advocacy. They should be a fast learner, with the ability to adapt quickly to new technology and seek out innovative ways to spread Toxics Action Center’s reach. Working knowledge of databases or mass email software like Salsa, Action Kit, Mailchimp, or NationBuilder is a plus. The ideal candidate is passionate about community organizing and movement building.

Salary and Benefits:

Pay for this position is commensurate with relevant professional experience. Toxics Action Center offers a competitive benefits package. Eligible staff receive health insurance, paid holidays, sick days, vacation days, and the opportunity to enroll in our college loan assistance and 401(k) programs. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location:

This position is based in Boston.

To Apply:

Apply online at http://toxicsaction.org/page/tac/apply.  Direct your application to Sylvia Broude, Executive Director.  We’ll review your application, and if we are if we are interested in discussing your candidacy further, we will be in touch with you shortly.

Toxics Action Center is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to a diverse workplace and a diverse movement. We will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.