Potomac Flacks: Unions

The Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), one of the largest unions in the country with 1.6 million members, is hiring two professionals in their communication department.

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Position: Assistant Director, Media Outreach and Field Communications

Salary Range: $93,596 - $126,008

AFSCME currently has an opening for an Assistant Director of Media Outreach and Field Communications in the Communications Department at their Headquarters location, 1625 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. This position is responsible for assisting in the management and administration of AFSCME’s media relations and field communications to internal and external audiences. Manages the media relations and field communications staff, directs a variety of special communications projects such as priority organizing, legislative and political events and campaigns.

The ideal candidate will perform work in the following areas:

Helps develop and implement AFSCME’s internal and external communications strategies in such areas as organizing, politics, legislation and policy.
Provides counsel to AFSCME leadership on message development and plays a key role in administrative functions such as written reports to the International Executive Board.
Develops relationships with journalists, bloggers and other media figures on behalf of the union.
Supervises media relations staff. Writes, edits and directs the writing of communications plans, news releases and op/eds in national and local news outlets. Supervises field communications staff.
Plans, develops and directs implementation of worker contact and communication strategies for major organizing, contract, political and other priority campaigns in coordination with International staff and affiliates.
Initiates media campaigns and manages media relations staff to respond to press inquiries and breaking stories; pitch stories to reporters; and coordinates major national, state and local media events.
Ensures AFSCME leaders and communicators at various levels are aware of AFSCME priorities through the review and dissemination of talking points, news clips, news releases and other information to inform appropriate parties of messaging.

Requirements: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with degree in journalism, or English, communications, or public policy; 7 to 10 years of experience, with at least 7 in media and public relations, preferably within a labor union or advocacy organization, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Thorough knowledge of effective media, public relations and communications that can be applied to public affairs projects in union-related issues and programs. Advanced knowledge of all aspects of external communications, including – but not limited to – paid media, direct mail, online communications, conferences, press and events. Working knowledge of computers and technology, departmental budgeting, and administrative processes and procedures. Demonstrated understanding of AFSCME-related programs and/or labor issues and initiatives that permit effective information distribution. Demonstrated understanding of the news media, its structures and technology for reporting news, and information on AFSCME programs. Advanced understanding of AFSCME and union programs and initiatives. Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise personnel towards position goals and to work within deadlines.

TO APPLY: Send resume to: [email protected].

For more information on this vacancy, visit: http://www.afscme.org/About AFSCME – Employment Opportunities

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POSITION: NEW MEDIA OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Salary Range: $59,857 - $89,785

AFSCME currently has an opening for a New Media Outreach Specialist in the Communications Department at their Headquarters location, 1625 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

This position will be responsible for supporting all aspects of AFSCME’s New Media and Rapid Response unit. Under the direction of the Assistant Director of New Media/Rapid Response and in support of the Web Editor and Online Mobilization Coordinator, this position will support the development and implementation of multi-channel communications strategies for priority campaigns and initiatives.

The ideal candidate will perform work in the following areas:

Creation, production and maintenance of websites, blogs, online campaigns, email messaging, social networking community, video, databases, affiliate capacity programs, enhancing relationships and moving content to the progressive blogosphere and more
Maintenance of main AFSCME website. Support the development of a network of campaign micro sites for, issue, organizing and other priority campaigns. Provide training and ongoing support of micro sites. Assist in the integration of mobile, email, social networking and other technologies with micro sites. Maintain new media outreach lists
Maintain and enhance relations with key national and state bloggers. Perform regular quality assurance of websites to conduct testing and identify broken links and outdated content
Optimize blog items to be posted to achieve best performance. Assist in the production of e-mail messages and campaigns
Perform a variety of database management activities including regular hygiene, imports and exports, running queries and segmentation

Requirements: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in web development, computer programming, communications, journalism, political science or liberal arts or 3-5 years of relevant work experience in advocacy or online communications or any equivalent combination of education and experience. A demonstrated ability to use new media tools to communicate with and motivate target groups to take action. Experience in managing a website and creating content. Experience in the use of content management software. HTML coding skills, knowledge CSS, JavaScript, and database management. Experience with Adobe Photoshop, and/or Illustrator and other web authoring and design software. Ability to work across-platforms (Mac and Windows OS). Experience in the use of e-mail management tools, preferably Salsa/Democracy in Action. Experience with at least one of the following: Flash, digital video editing, WordPress. Ability to travel and work extended work hours needed. A valid driver’s license is required.

TO APPLY: Send resume to: [email protected].

For more information on this vacancy, visit: http://www.afscme.org/About AFSCME – Employment Opportunities. (PF tipster)