Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• Assist with developing and implementing strategic communications policy for the organization.
• Manage PUSH’s social media accounts & website content, including but not limited to the blog section. Create original content and re-post relevant third-party content or content shared by movement allies and coalition partners. Draft original content for the blog and solicit original content contributions from staff and members.
• Pursue earned media opportunities with local, state, national, and international media outlets.
• Inventory and archive on PUSH’s website earned media placements featuring PUSH staff and members involved in the organization’s issue-based campaigns and coalitions, as well as youth active in the Grant Street Neighborhood Center programming.
• Assist the Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives in leading all PUSH media engagement activities, including fielding and redirecting media requests, drafting media advisories and press releases, securing quotes from staff and members, reporter interview scheduling and speaker prep, media outreach and follow-up.
• Guide staff in the distributed use of PUSH social media channels and provide training as necessary to ensure high standards are consistently met.
• Create social share content, e.g., memes, graphics, etc., and/or outsource content needs to third party design vendors as necessary.
• Conduct strategic communications needs assessments with PUSH teams/departments, as necessary.
• Represent PUSH in local, state, and national coalitions where communication working groups or committees are formed and/or PUSH presence is desired. Serve as the primary point of contact with coalition/community/press/other partners on communications related matters.
• Assist with developing and leading strategic communications training for staff and members as necessary.

Requirements

• Associate degree in business, Communications or related; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in communications, including professional social media strategy and management, graphic design, and copywriting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and powerfully in writing and orally around issues directly relevant to diverse multi-racial, multi-gender, multi-ethnic communities, and/or economic justice, environmental justice, energy democracy, and social justice issues.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of effective communications, digital campaign organizing, and community engagement strategies required.
• Must reside locally in Buffalo, NY area, able to work on site at least three (3) days per week and be present as needed/required for PUSH events, PUSH partnered events, membership meetings, community gatherings, press opportunities, guided Green Development Zone tours, etc. Must be comfortable recording notes to bring back to the team and taking pictures.
• Must be well-versed in WNY local news (social, political, weather, culture), community matters, maintaining relationships with partners and community leaders, and holding a basic understanding of Buffalo’s history, especially on the West Side.
• Strong graphic design and communications design skills, and a functioning understanding of multiple design platforms (Adobe, Canva, Microsoft, etc.)
• Knowledge of national, state, and/or local grassroots movement organizing history, principles, and practices, as well as major policy shifts highly preferred and helpful;
• Experience working with communities of color, immigrant communities, and/or people whose first or only language is other than English is highly desirable.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office suite and able to (easily) navigate social media applications, website applications, customer relationship management platforms (such as Salesforce) (preferred but not required) and cloud-based systems.

Preferred

• Previous direct supervisory experience is preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
• Experience working with communities of color, immigrant communities, and/or people whose first or only language is other than English is highly desirable.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance