Communications Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds.

AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status / limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile / criminal legal systems.

We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students.

For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.

JOB SUMMARY

AFC seeks a Communications Associate to support the implementation of our organization's communications strategy, providing administrative and creative support for campaigns and projects.

The Communications Associate will report to the Senior Communications Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create strong first drafts of communications for use on social media, e-blasts, our website, and more, including client stories that highlight AFC's advocacy and the complex web of issues NYC students and their families face.
• Create compelling graphics and draft strong copy language, both of which reflect brand visuals / voice, drive action, or share crucial information.
• Provide creative and administrative support for brand management and campaigns throughout the year, including our Annual Appeal, Back-to-School outreach, and more.
• Support the Senior Communications Manager in cross-departmental collaborations with policy team, development, and other project areas.
• Manage regular content updates to AFC's website as needed, ensuring information is up-to-date and assessing potential improvements to website architecture / copy.
• Maintain our social media calendar and post regularly to our social media accounts.
• Perform and present a quarterly social media audit.
• Collaborate with Senior Communications Manager to manage daily interactions on social media, such as responding to DMs and comments.
• Serve as a thought partner on how to evolve our social presence.
• Maintain and update AFC publications and fact sheets, including standardizing formatting and ensuring all documents meet accessibility standards.
• Research prospective media contacts and maintain our media contact list.
• Monitor and track press hits.
• Maintain internal SharePoint folders with up-to-date resources.
• Provide additional support as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC's mission. Please review AFC's work at www.advocatesforchildren.org.
• Bachelor's degree; prior jobs or internships in communications or marketing a plus.
• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles.
• Organized, detail oriented, and able to set priorities and work independently on tasks and deliverables.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong design sensibilities.
• Flexibility, initiative, maturity, and cooperative attitude.
• Proactive problem-solver, with a sharp attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to develop content that engages with a variety of audiences including parents, donors, community partners, and professionals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Programs (Outlook, Word, SharePoint, Teams), Zoom, and Google tools.
• Proficiency in design software (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and video editing tools.
• Proficiency in Wordpress a plus, but not required.
• Personal knowledge of the New York City Department of Education system and familiarity with the needs of youth with disabilities is appreciated, but not required.
• Fluency in Spanish a plus, but not required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter highlighting why they are interested in this role at AFC and how their experience aligns with the Communications Associate position, including any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations AFC serves.

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the $57,289-$62,344 range, depending on experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

This position is expected to work 2 days a week in the office and remotely on the remaining days.

The position is available immediately, and resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AFC's current compensation package includes medical and dental insurance, with a plan option that covers full payment of medical plan premiums for staff and their qualified dependents.

AFC has generous time-off policies that include 10 federal holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day, and 15 vacation days and 15 paid time off days in the first year of employment.

AFC also currently offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

Due to a high volume of applicants, only complete applications from qualified candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

AFC is an affirmative action employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and especially encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, parents of persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expressions and persons of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

AFC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability or other protected characteristic.

The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process.

To request accommodations, please email [email protected].