JOB TITLE: Political Communications Specialist – Regional
Pennsylvania, Colorado, Minnesota

DEPARTMENT: Public Affairs – Media Outreach Unit

JOB GRADE: III – temporary

REPORTS TO: Media Outreach Director

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Political Communications Specialist works with the AFL-CIO's Public Affairs and Political Departments to prioritize workers' issues in our nation's political debate through the media and focus attention on labor's political efforts. The specialist works with media and the union movement in a specific region to conceive, direct and publicize events and other communications strategies in order to get labor's political message out.

The Political Communications Specialist works under the supervision of the Media Outreach Director and is in close contact with the Political Department.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Technical Skills

• Develop proactive strategies to insert workers' issues into the political debate, with an emphasis on working with media in the region;
  
• Help develop and implement a media plan for AFL-CIO's political program in the region, including a rapid action network of local union communicators and leaders for communications work;
  
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with regional political reporters and regional bloggers;
  
• Conceive and direct media events based on natural and created news opportunities in the political arena in region. Write news releases, background pieces, advisories, fact sheets and other news-related information, as well as flyers and campaign materials.
  
• Write and place Op-Eds;
  
• Provide communications support for political efforts from Washington and in the field as necessary.
  
• Develop and conduct communications training with union activists and leaders;
  
• Prepare and execute internal and other communications as needed.

Liaison

• Initiate contact with and respond to inquiries from print, radio and television journalists, working with them to pitch story ideas and provide information to generate positive media coverage of the AFL-CIO's political program at a regional level.
• Work with staff, leaders and communicators at the affiliate, state and local levels in the region to plan media events, coordinate consistent message delivery, and provide communications support and training for political activities of the labor movement at every level.

Reporting

• Keeps the director fully informed on a regular basis on issues affecting departmental programs.
  
• Prepares and submits regular and ad hoc reports on departmental activities as required.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• A bachelor degree in communications, journalism, or other related field desirable.
  
• Minimum of two years performing pro-active media outreach, including experience working directly with reporters.
  
• Experience with advocacy or political organizations required.
  
• Familiarity with union movement or direct union movement experience preferred.

Skills

• Strong inter-personal skills.
  
• Demonstrated superior writing skills including experience writing Op-Eds, press releases, fact sheets and other media related materials.
  
• Good judgment;
  
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
  
• Proficiency in Internet-based research, word processing and e-mail programs.
  
• Flexibility to travel extensively as required in performance of duties.

Duration

This is a temporary job for 6 to 12 months.

Compensation
Very competitive with benefits.

Geographic Location:
Based in Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, or Minnesota. Travel outside state will be required.

Please send résumé and cover memo to: jobpost@aflcio.org