Job Opportunity: Communications/Online Outreach Associate

Description:

The Communications/Online Outreach Associate will manage all of PSN’s day-to-day media production and outreach work in close coordination with the Outreach Director.

Specific tasks will include drafting of media advisories, press releases, and op-eds and disseminating them to regional and national media outlets. The position will also involve a heavy engagement with PSN’s online outreach and visual branding strategies. The Communications Specialist will oversee the maintenance and daily updating of PSN’s website and will be responsible for executing a long-term strategy for growing PSN’s presence on the web, including content aggregation on PSN’s front page, creation and upkeep of an organizational blog, and online outreach to state and national progressive bloggers.

Applicants should have a minimum of 2 years experience in either the communications or progressive non-profit field.

Requirements:

Above all, the applicant must be a strong writer and editor with an understanding of online outreach, a passion for progressive politics, and a tenacious work ethic. Specifically, he or she:

- Must be able to collaborate closely with other members of the staff in order to coordinate messaging strategy and draft talking points, releases/advisories, and op-eds.

- Must be able to conduct extensive self-driven research, absorbing large amounts of information and developing a strong grasp of complicated policy issues within a relatively short timeframe. Must also be able to translate research into prose efficiently and eloquently.

- Must have innovative ideas for incorporating Web2.0 and social networking strategies into PSN’s legislator-to-legislator organizing campaigns

- Must have a strong grasp of and passion for the workings of the progressive netroots and blogosphere

- Must be exceptionally proficient with HTML and general computer skills. Basic knowledge of graphic design and/or video production is desirable but not required. Basic knowledge of Drupal is desirable but not required.

- Must have strong people skills and speak well in public.

- Must have strong project management and multi-tasking abilities.

Progressive States is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage and value a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organization:

Progressive States Network aims to transform the political landscape by sparking progressive actions at the state level. Founded in 2005, the group provides coordinated research and strategic advocacy tools to state legislators and their staffs, empowering these decision-makers with everything they need to engineer forward-thinking change. Progressive States also works with non-profits and a variety of constituent groups to build a swath of support for coordinated progressive policy. The overarching goals: to get good policy passed into law and change the way issues are debated in the states.

A significant part of Progressive States efforts revolve around supporting state legislative campaigns. The organization offers legislators and their staff members with the technical and messaging support necessary to embrace progressive policy. Tapping into a network of experts in each state, the group catalogues existing or developing legislation related to six key values we support. Progressive States also accumulates research to support new laws in these areas.

Our most important values include:

- Increasing Democracy
- Growing the Economy
- Rewarding Work
- Valuing Families
- Strengthening Communities

Progressive States seeks to strengthen communication between legislators and the organizations they serve, facilitating a groundswell of interest in progressive policy that spans state, regional and ideological lines. Our board consists of labor organizations, grassroots and “netroots” groups, and key policy centers. With additional support from these organizations, Progressive States makes it even easier for lawmakers to keep open dialogues with their most savvy constituents.

Finally, Progressive States acts as a “war room” to equip legislators with the information they need to advocate good policy. Organization experts put together best-practice guidebooks and serve as surrogates for legislative staff members who need talking points and need them fast. Additionally, with an up-to-the-minute news service at www.progressivestates.org, the group acts as an information hub that keeps legislators up-to-date on progressive news from other states, helps them identify trends and emboldens them to educate each other on how to succeed.

In short, by supporting state legislators and other groups in their efforts to spark progressive actions and get good ideas passed into law, Progressive States proves that state policy matters, and that good policy leads to good politics for all.

To learn more about the organization, visit http://progressivestates.org

How to Apply:

Email a compelling cover letter, resume and writing sample showing your ability to write about policy issues in a manner accessible to the public to:

Lauren Roberts Fairbanks
Progressive States Network
LRF@progressivestates.org

Please put "Communications/Online Outreach Associate " in the subject line.

Internships

PSN welcomes applications from those wishing to obtain an internship. We have several positions available throughout the course of the semester or year. Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Writing samples are encouraged but not required.