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11 May 2022

Full-Time Communications Director

Physicians for Social Responsibility – Posted by PSRGreenJobs Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Job Description

COVID-19 Pandemic

Please note that all PSR National staff are generally working remotely, but our DC-based staff are expected to be available to work at times on-site at our national office when it is deemed necessary, provided that public health officials have deemed it safe to do so. For this position, preference will be given to applicants who currently reside in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and who are willing to consider occasional work at our office (again, assuming that public health officials have deemed it safe to do so). We are, however, open to the possibility of 100% remote for the right candidate.

To center the safety and well-being of its staff, PSR requires that any employee who is required to conduct in-person activities for their job must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Accommodations may be sought and approved in accordance with the law by contacting human resources at [email protected].

About Physicians for Social Responsibility

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to create a more healthy, just, and peaceful world. Throughout its history, PSR has provided a strong health-focused voice against the development and use of nuclear weapons. Our other major programmatic focus is climate change—another catastrophic disaster that threatens human health and survival. PSR is a co-founder and U.S. affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, and as the U.S. affiliate of this global network, PSR shared in the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. PSR is also a partner organization in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. PSR has a national office in Washington, D.C. with chapters across the United States.

The Position

PSR’s Communications Director reports to the Executive Director and will be responsible for overseeing all communications activities for the organization, including cultivating and managing relationships with journalists and other members of the media, and for developing and implementing communications strategies that advance PSR’s policy priorities, with a particular focus on engaging young health professionals and diverse audiences.

Areas of Responsibility

General

  • Collaborates with staff to develop messaging in support of PSR initiatives and advises on how to maximize impact through media and public engagement.
  • Works to implement a unified design and consistent branded and targeted messaging across all of our communications products.
  • Produces communications collateral such as fact sheets, issue briefs, articles, press releases, message points, letters to the editor, op-eds, email alerts, blog posts, and social media content. Copyedits/proofreads materials drafted by other staff before publication. The Communications Director may also be called upon to assist in the editing and production of occasional reports, and/or our annual report.
  • All staff at PSR are expected to participate in our ongoing work to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within our organization and in the fields in which we work.

Program Support

  • Represents PSR in various campaigns and coalitions, as needed.
  • Provides communication support to program staff on our Climate Ambassadors Program. PSR’s Climate Ambassador Program enlists volunteer health professionals to serve as spokespeople on the impact of climate change and related issues on public health. Climate Ambassadors write op-eds and letters to the editor, provide testimony at legislative and administrative hearings, and serve as resources for the media. PSR’s Communications Director may be called upon to assist individual Ambassadors as needed (such as providing guidance in drafting and submitting an op-ed), and in identifying strategic opportunities to connect Ambassadors with media opportunities.
  • Provides similar support to our #DemandAccess campaign. The #DemandAccess campaign engages young health professionals interested in the intersection of nuclear weapons abolition, decreasing military spending, and promoting access, equity and justice for diverse populations.
  • Works with our program staff to develop communications strategies that empower young health professionals and more diverse voices to lead the call for climate action and nuclear weapons abolition.

Media Relations

  • Responds to media inquiries and maintains strong relationships with reporters and media outlets covering our issues, working to build PSR’s reputation as a reliable source.
  • Writes and disseminates press releases and other media materials, and pitches pieces to newspaper, broadcast, and online outlets.
  • Tracks relevant media to keep abreast of trends and help identify coverage opportunities.

Social Media/Website

  • Oversight responsibility for PSR’s online social media channels. Develops compelling, creative, and engaging social media content. Develops relationships with social media influencers to help promote our work.
  • Provides ongoing support to staff and chapters on the use of Twitter and other social media channels.
  • Develops new ideas (and occasionally drafts content) for the PSR web site. Assists staff with the development of other content. Reviews and edits all blog posts before publishing.

Chapter Support

  • Assists PSR chapters in developing local media relationships, and assists PSR’s national staff, chapter staff, and activists in placing op-eds in national and local media outlets.

Skills and Experience

Required

 Experience working with and successfully pitching media and reporters.

  • Strong writing skills, particularly on press materials and op-eds.
  • Strong copyediting and proofreading skills.
  • Strong aptitude in connecting with people and networking.
  • Experience utilizing Twitter and other social media channels to make media contact and engage influencers.
  • High degree of self-motivation with a proven ability to work with minimal supervision but also as part of a team.
  • Creative and positive-thinker and learner. Experience in PSR’s issue areas is not required, but a strong interest in building knowledge of our two primary issue areas (climate and nuclear weapons) is a must.
  • Ability to respond to short-term deadlines, balance multiple responsibilities, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

Strongly Preferred

  • Significant editing experience.
  • Experience creating infographics.
  • Experience in planning and implementing a successful communications campaign.
  • Demonstrated experience with organizing and social media and digital campaigns.

Helpful

  • A postsecondary degree or coursework in political science, public policy, education, communications, journalism, or a related field.
  • Experience with communications in a non-profit or policy setting.
  • Experience in developing and/or implementing an organizational communications plan.
  • Experience with web site content management systems (WordPress experience is a plus).
  • Experience with media database and social media analytics platforms.
  • Experience with designing and facilitating webinars and/or other online events.

Terms

  • This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend hours required
  • Reports to the Executive Director

Benefits

Benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, paid time off plus holidays, sick leave, and more. PSR promotes and supports a healthy work/life balance for its employees.

                                       

PSR is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and believes social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose.

PSR is committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, religion, disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws, as well as any other factor that is not relevant to job performance.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

PSR is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [email protected].

Lean more about PSR’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ).

How to Apply

  • How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications relevant to the skills and experience outline above, resume, salary expectations, and a minimum of three references (name, title, organization, phone, and email). Please note that references will not be contacted without prior approval from the applicant.
  • Electronic submissions via email in PDF format are required: [email protected]
  • No telephone inquiries, please.
  • Job open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To ensure optimal consideration, applicants should be submitted no later than May 31, 2022. Applications will be accepted and reviewed after this date.
 

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time.

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