Just Transition Communications Specialist

Position: Just Transition Communications Specialist

Department:  Narrative and Communications

Supervisor: President and Executive Director

Salary: $ 55,000 - 70,000

Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance covered at 100%; flexible work schedule; flexible paid time off with approval from supervisor; paid holidays; phone and travel allowance; child and pet-friendly workplace.

Position & Status: Full-Time, exempt

Estimated Start Date: June or July 2024

Hours: 40 hours per week; occasional evenings and weekends

Location: Hybrid based in Multnomah County, OR; ability to work from home up to 3 days/week. May work extended hours in Salem during legislative sessions.

Physical/Cognitive Details: Regularly required to use a computer and phone to perform work and communicate with others for several hours each day. Occasionally required to travel throughout Oregon. Noise level in the office is moderate.

Imagine Black is seeking a Just Transition Communications Specialist to advance Oregon's environmental and climate justice efforts while advocating for worker rights initiatives.

This pivotal role involves executing the organization's strategic vision by deploying narrative communication strategies to foster civic engagement and self-determination across diverse Black audiences. We are seeking a candidate with a robust background in non-profit communications, civic engagement, and copywriting, complemented by a talent for compelling storytelling.

The responsibilities of the Just Transition Communications Specialist encompass developing outreach materials, amplifying the lived experiences and viewpoints of Black Oregonians, and advancing campaign-related narratives. Additionally, the role involves curating consistent content to bolster Imagine Black's online presence across various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and the organization's website.

Situated at Imagine Black's Portland office, the Just Transition Communications Specialist will enjoy a hybrid work environment in Oregon, with the flexibility to alternate between in-office and remote work as dictated by the organization's operational needs. This position presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to impactful social justice endeavors through effective copywriting.

If you are passionate about social justice and community empowerment and have a strong background in communications, media relations, and community outreach, we encourage you to apply.

ESSENTIAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Narrative Communications (70%):

• Support the Strategic Communications Division in executing newsletters, targeted emails, annual reports, advocacy alerts, research reports, and other publications.
• Implement compelling and consistent messaging focused on Black worker justice and environmental and climate justice.
• Create communications materials for direct actions, events, and campaigns addressing issues surrounding Black worker justice and environmental and climate justice.
• Design and facilitate programs that support community members to explore, facilitate, and create stories that move us towards our vision of a Just Transition.
• Manage Imagine Black’s brand, ensuring brand integrity and visibility across the organization.
• Serve as quality control and editor for print materials and digital content.
• Develop written content for Imagine Black’s website and digital media platforms.
• Plan and execute paid and organic social media strategies across key channels.
• Support the creation of marketing and promotions for Imagine Black’s events, leadership trainings, and advocacy summits.
• Track progress and effectiveness of communications and marketing activities, and report key performance indicators for social media and digital content.
• Support audience segmentation and database management on EveryAction.

Public & Media Relations (10%):

• Promote Imagine Black to the nonprofit sector, policymakers, and the public.
• Implement media strategy, including media relations and tracking press coverage.
• Prepare press releases and pitch stories to local media personnel.
• Maintain media contacts and relationships throughout Oregon.

Community Outreach (10%):

• Execute a comprehensive community outreach strategy to increase Imagine Black's visibility within our communities.
• Represent Imagine Black at community tabling partnership events, connecting people to our mission and vision.

Organizational Support (10%):

• Collaborate with the Development Division to edit grants as needed.
• Apply Imagine Black’s mission, values, and principles to work responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with administrative and programmatic staff and external partners to achieve organizational goals.
• Attend internal staff and department meetings and collaborate with other staff as needed.

The duties mentioned above are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties required in this position. This job description is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. This role may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties as requested.

Requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in civic engagement communications, including but not limited to copywriting, digital organizing, non-profit brand management, community or grassroots organizing, coalition management, lobbying, political staffing, or community engagement. This experience may be acquired through volunteer activities or internships.
• Passion for the mission and vision of Imagine Black, which encompasses electoral organizing, advocacy, and organizing.
• Knowledge of communications strategies to increase community power.
• Proven skills in working and communicating with communities within the African diaspora, especially with descendants of enslaved Africans, African immigrants and refugees, and Caribbean immigrants and refugees.
• Commitment to applying a Black Queer Feminist Lens to communications, organizing, leadership development, and civic and political participation.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to self-motivate, self-direct, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in computer skills.
• Drive to implement innovative communications tactics and experiment with new forms of campaign organizing.
• Exceptional writing skills; adept at making complex ideas accessible to the general public through policy one-pagers, briefs, and reports.
• Proficient computer skills and ability to learn new systems as needed.
• Comfortable with Google applications, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability and willingness to travel within Oregon regularly (approximately three times per quarter).
• Availability to work evenings/weekends about 2-3 times per month.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bi- or multi-lingual (Arabic, Amharic, Swahili, and Somali-speaking applicants are encouraged to apply).
• Lived experience with Black community issues, particularly in Oregon.
• Extensive knowledge of voter databases such as NGP VAN.
• Experience with tools such as online policy resources, online statistical research, policy research and analysis, techniques of online advocacy, and polling.
• Experience working with social media and email communications.
• Results and deadline-driven.
• Knowledge of political strategy and political landscape on local and state levels.
• Comfortable with Asana, Slack, and similar systems.

TO APPLY:

To be considered for this role, please submit the following items:

• Resume or CV;
• Cover letter describing your interest in this position and how well you meet the stated qualifications
• Please submit a writing sample showcasing your previous work related to communications, civic engagement, or social justice advocacy. We prefer examples of previous work where you have effectively communicated complex issues to diverse audiences, particularly within the context of civic engagement.

No phone calls or emails, please.

Racial and gender equity is of utmost importance for our search. If you do not meet all of the required qualifications for this role but feel you can be a great addition to our team, please apply and let us know why we should meet you!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by May 26, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Benefits

The salary for this full-time position starts at $55,000, commensurate with experience and skills.

Imagine Black offers excellent benefits, including full medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance covered at 100%; flexible work schedule; flexible paid time off with approval from supervisor; paid holidays; phone and travel allowance; child and pet-friendly workplace.

Imagine Black embraces diversity in a profound way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool - because we know the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.