Texas Organizing Project – Communications Coordinators
Dallas & Houston, TX

Job Description

Start Date:  April 1, 2013
With offices in Harris, Dallas, San Antonio and Hidalgo Counties, the Texas Organizing Project (www.organizetexas.org) works to improve the lives of low to moderate income Texans by building power through community and electoral organizing. Our organizing efforts are anchored by dues paying members and a base of leaders from the community committed to fighting for improved conditions for their families and their communities – quality schools, access to health care, livable housing, safe neighborhoods, living wage jobs and electoral change. Our goal is to change the tide in Texas by building power for low and moderate-income families, engaging these communities in taking power for themselves through year-round community and electoral organizing.

Job Description: The Texas Organizing Project is seeking two Communications Coordinators - one in Dallas and one in Houston – to drive internal and external communications to advance the organization’s campaigns and base building efforts. Candidates should be creative thinkers and skilled multi-taskers who know how to utilize a broad range of communications tools to advance campaigns.

The right candidate will have a degree in journalism, public relations, marketing communications and/or 2+ year of experience in marketing or strategic campaign communications with a grassroots community organization, labor union or political organization. Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary, with an emphasis on grammar/spelling excellence. Partisan or non-partisan campaign or organizing experience is desirable and a commitment to social and economic justice is required.

• Develop overall communications plan – short and long term goals and priorities - for the region; Participate in campaign strategy and planning meetings with area leaders and campaign directors and develop an integrated strategic communications program to support organizing efforts
• Drive and execute communications plans, including media relations, literature for campaigns, member communications, etc
• Initiate contact with and respond to inquiries from print, radio and television journalists; pitch story ideas and provide information to generate positive media coverage in the region; work to identify opportunities to engage national media
• Produce and edit key internal and external communications materials – news advisories and releases, one-pagers, opinion pieces, background pieces, fact sheets and messaging materials and talking points
• Draft member communications including newsletters, emails, texting and other materials for campaigns in the region
• Conduct worker and member interviews and spokesperson training for members and staff
• Prepare spokespersons – members, executive director and staff - for media opportunities
• Work with vendors, including designers, printers and others to produce materials for the campaign
• Strengthen the capacity of organization staff – leading trainings, developing key learning tools and resources
• Oversee the coordination of special media events and manage press at key campaign actions and activities

Additional Required Qualifications:
• At least 2 years experience in strategic communications for a grassroots community organization, labor union or political advocacy organization; Organizing experience and training a plus
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic communications and media plans that advance social change
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of the range of media outlets, including web-based
• Experience developing and maintaining credible and productive relationships with news media and in managing rapid/crisis response.
• Ability to take initiative, to work with a team and to handle multiple project and tight deadlines.
• Strong professionalism and the ability to maintain good working relationships with staff and members
• Willingness to work long, irregular hours, sometimes including weekend and early morning and evenings
• Superior computer skills in MS Office Suite and working knowledge of graphic design software

Salary and Benefits:  Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave, and travel reimbursement

To Apply:  e-mail cover letter, résumé, writing sample and references to: Crystal Zermeno at czermeno@organizetexas.org