Illinois Nurses Association
 

Communications Specialist

Covers the State of Illinois

 

Job Title: Communications Specialist
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: October 15, 2025
Last Revised: October 1, 2025
Location: Covers the State of Illinois

Summary
Join the Illinois Nurses Association, a democratic independent healthcare workers’ union, and join a team working to bring justice to healthcare workplaces across the state. INA is hiring a Communications Specialist to conceptualize, develop, and implement the Union’s internal and external communication needs under the direction of their supervisor. Communications Specialists are embedded in our worker units and campaigns and play a critical role in designing communications strategies using digital platforms, earned media, and multi-media tools to raise the visibility of worker struggles. 

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned: 

1. Framing messages and developing materials for effective communication with the news media, the general public, union members, and other working people and allies.
2. Developing, planning and bottom-lining communication strategies and calendars for organizing, contract and other advocacy campaigns.
3. Being the primary organizer and trainer for members in state, bargaining unit, and campaign communications committees; ensuring regular committee meetings and member leadership in communications strategies and work
4. Developing and implementing proactive earned media outreach in traditional and new media, planning and organizing media events, and training workers to be spokespersons.
5. Writing leaflets, bulletins, website and e-advocacy content, news releases, fact sheets, talking points, speeches, paid ads, and other materials.
6. Managing the production of internal member communications, including newsletters, electronic communications using mass texting and email services, and more.
7. Producing multi-media content for communications, such as photographs and short videos.
8. Maintaining and updating content to websites, social media feeds, and internal electronic archives.
9. Expanding the Union's strategic use of digital communications and new social media.
10. Collaborating with INA field and office staff in the development of campaign communications strategy, content, and distribution.
11. Specific focus on engaging with representational and organizing staff to consistently communicate union victories
12. Working with outside consultants or vendors on special projects.
13. Ensuring that all communication is consistent and reflects the Union’s strategic vision.
14. Editing and revising all communications content as necessary.

Qualifications: 

1. Minimum of two years of work experience in media relations, public affairs, or campaign communications
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
3. Ability to frame issues for specific audiences and develop simple, effective advocacy materials
4. Demonstrated commitment to social justice
5. Prior work experience with grassroots advocacy campaigns
6. Proficient with Microsoft Word/Excel
7. Fluency in Spanish a plus
8. Experience with creative media production in one or more of the following areas is preferred: web development, graphic design, photography or video production/editing
9. Experience using mass communication CRMs and What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) email services
10. Experience using Canva and either Adobe Creative Suite software (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) or Final Cut Pro a plus
11. Must have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle within one month of the start date would be preferred.

Work Environment

1. Normal office environment.
2. Routine travel via automobile and train.

Pay and benefits are competitive.

People of color, women, LGBTQ and healthcare professionals are encouraged to apply.

This is a salaried, exempt position covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Salary scale starts at approximately $67k with competitive benefits.

People of color, women, LGBTQ and healthcare professionals are encouraged to apply. 

TO APPLY:
Please submit résumé and examples of past work (writing sample(s), past design work, social media campaigns, etc.) to Executive Assistant/Office Manager Christian Del Rio (cdelrio@illinoisnurses.com) with the subject line “Communications Specialist position,” and indicate where you found the job listing.

If you receive an interview please be prepared to provide three references showing relevant work experience and character.