Fuse Washington

Communications Team, American Civil Liberties Union of WA

The ACLU of Washington is a non-profit, public interest organization devoted to protecting civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU advances its goals through legal and legislative advocacy, media and public awareness efforts, information and training, membership mobilization, and coalition work. Its staff of thirty employees and numerous volunteers work in a fast-paced, friendly, and professional office.

We seek a communications professional with experience in public policy and very strong persuasive writing skills to explain and promote the work of the ACLU to the public, key constituencies and opinion leaders. This position will report to the Communications Director and works collaboratively with numerous other staff members.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyze public policy issues, formulate messaging, and participate in developing both immediate and long-term communications strategies.
• Write and edit a range of clear and politically compelling materials, including press releases, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, flyers and brochures, speeches, and reports to the Board and donors.
• Edit for clarity and strategic effectiveness materials drafted by other staff members; provide office-wide guidance on writing style.
• Develop and re-purpose content for the ACLU-WA website.
• Participate in building our visibility in new media.
• Lead the planning and writing of the ACLU-WA quarterly * Collaborate with other staff in strategic marketing efforts to increase ACLU visibility and advance its mission.
• Provide backup to the communications director by responding occasionally to informational requests from journalists.
• Help maintain a positive, respectful, welcoming and professional work environment for employees and volunteers.

• Assist in other activities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Outstanding written and oral communications skills.
• Professional experience must include at least three years full-time work in a communications-related field.
• A sophisticated understanding of political issues.
• Experience in developing messaging and communications strategies to advance an agenda.
• The ability to analyze complex information from a variety of sources, including attorneys and policy experts, and turn it into clear, dynamic text that is persuasive to intended audiences.
• Experience in successfully handling multiple projects and priorities, working quickly and meeting deadlines; flexibility to adjust to emerging needs and new ideas.
• Strong interpersonal communications skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers. A confident, professional, and outgoing presentation. A history of reliability, conscientiousness, and timeliness.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with developing Internet content and strategies desirable.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and social-economic circumstance.
• Strong support of the ACLU and familiarity with civil rights and civil liberties issues.
• Experience with community or political organizations desirable.

• Fluency in Spanish language, oral and written, is a plus.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale. Excellent benefits package is provided.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, send a letter of application, a resume, and copies of two relevant writing samples (no fax or email applications, please) to:

Communications Screening Committee
ACLU of Washington Foundation
705 2nd Ave., 3rd fl.
Seattle, WA 98104

The ACLU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of every race, creed, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity to apply.

The ACLU of Washington comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation. The ACLU of Washington and the ACLU of Washington Foundation share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU of Washington.”