DC: Press and New Media Specialist

Press and New Media Specialist
Organization: Progressive States Network
Date Posted: 12/15/2009
Listing Expires: 1/14/2010
Date Needed: 1/15/2009
City: New York
Location: New York
Country: United States
Primary Category: Communications/Press
Type of Position: Full-Time
Education Requirement: Bachelor's
Experience Requirement: 2 - 5 Years

Description & Details
Description:
The Press and New Media Specialist will manage PSN’s day-to-day press activities, work with state legislative leaders across the country, oversee the production and distribution of its self-generated media materials, and contribute to the organization's growth through formulation and implementation of long-term media strategy that helps promote an anti-racist, social justice agenda covering a range of issues on behalf of working families.

In helping to build long-term progressive power in the states, the position's primary long-term strategic assignment will be to design and execute a comprehensive new media outreach initiative in close collaboration with PSN's Executive Director and Online Technology Manager. The Communications Specialist will be tasked with identifying key stakeholders in the states, from policy organizations to blogs to legislators who are writing about state-level policy, and recruiting them to contribute their work to an evolving online community hosted by PSN and dedicated to the development of a 50-state grassroots advocacy and media movement.

Through this initiative, PSN intends to construct a site that not only provides a definitive source of information on state policy and politics, but that also actively facilitates collaboration between bloggers, legislators, and advocates in devising and implementing strategy for the furtherance of the broader progressive movement.

The daily responsibilities of the job will include the drafting and distribution of op-eds, press releases, blog posts, and media advisories. Close collaboration with PSN's Policy and Outreach staffs will be necessary to translate multi-state legislative drives into messaging campaigns that move the national political narrative. In addition to the maintenance of these internal relationships, the Communications Specialist will be charged with initiating and cultivating relationships with a broad array of local, regional, and national reporters as well as managing partnerships with allied alternative media organizations such as GRITtv, Creative Counsel, and American Forum.

Applicants should have a minimum of 2 years experience in the non-profit communications and media field and a history of commitment to progressive social change.

Additional Qualifications:
Above all, the applicant must be an effective people person with strong writing skills, a voracious appetite for keeping up with the news, a passion for progressive politics, and a tenacious work ethic.

More specifically, he or she:

• Must be a strong independent researcher who can quickly master large amounts of complex technical information on a diverse set of issue areas and create succinct and compelling summaries for dissemination to the press, online media and the general public.

• Must be familiar with current trends in online advocacy journalism and social media web applications and be able to generate innovative ideas for incorporating those trends into PSN's organizational growth strategy.

• Must be able to collaborate closely with other members of the staff in order to coordinate publicity efforts with the short- and long-term strategic goals of the organization.

• Must be able to meet hard deadlines and manage multiple overlapping projects in coordination with ideologically and geographically diverse set of partners.

• Must be an imaginative thinker capable simultaneously of generating fresh and locally-specific “hooks” out of the national news cycle and of interesting local reporters in national, multi-state narratives.

• Must present her- or himself dynamically and speak well in public.

• Must be 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 also desirable but not required.

• Must have at least two years experience in the progressive communications or advocacy fields.

Note that, given the centrality to this position of mobilizing a large movement of online advocacy journalists, this position will be as much an organizing job as it is a traditional media job. Although experience with communications, and specifically online communications will be highly valued, a knack for the craft of organizing will be given high priority in assessing which candidates to consider for the position.

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.

How to Apply / Contact
PSN works with legislators and community organizations across the country to advance legislation at the state level that protects individual freedoms, promotes sustainable economic growth, and strengthens America's working families. Backed by labor unions, community leaders, environmental groups, grassroots organizations and other individual supporters, Progressive States blends analysis and action and is working to establish a cohesive network and support system for progressive legislators and organizations in all 50 states, while building a concerted movement dedicated to grassroots social and political change across the nation. To learn more about the organization, visit http://progressivestates.org

Email a compelling cover letter, resume and writing sample identifying which policy position you are applying for and which shows your ability to write about policy issues in a manner accessible to the public to: communicationsjob@progressivestates.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE