Communications Associate

Location: Washington, D.C.
Supervisor: Director of Communications

Position Description

The Communications Associate is responsible for helping to plan and implement a wide variety of media activities to gain coverage for Defenders of Wildlife, the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and the issues on which Defenders works. The position responsibilities include developing and implementing media plans and coordinating events; writing news releases, factsheets and other press materials; contacting reporters and broadcast journalists; and identifying appropriate spokespersons.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Writing: Generate press releases, statements, factsheets and other press materials.
  • Media Plans: Work with program staff and Communications team to develop and implement media plans.
  • Media contact: Call reporters to pitch Defenders-related stories and field calls from the media. Serve as point-of-contact for media inquiries and forward reporters’ questions to pertinent program staff.
  • Research: Conduct research to develop factsheets, bill summaries, talking points and other media relations and programmatic materials as needed.
  • Press events: Work with appropriate program staff to coordinate, execute and publicize press events, teleconferences and other promotional activities.
  • Advertising: Develop copy and manage design of advertisements. Work with vendors to place advertisements.
  • General support: Aid in daily Communications department work.
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned, including coordinating focus groups, polling, producing PSAs, etc.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in Journalism, English, Communication Studies, Public Policy, Broadcasting or other relevant field

Experience: 1+ years of experience working with news media

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Other Qualifications:

  • Ability to manage several tasks at once, use sound judgment and follow up on prioritized assignments
  • Excellent writing and verbal communications skills; working knowledge of AP style a plus
  • Work effectively with others on team assignments
  • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word and other Windows applications

How To Apply

Interested applicants please reference Communications Associate in your subject line and submit a letter of interest, along with your resume and salary history (must be included to be considered) to us via e-mail at: HR@defenders.org

It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, in all personnel actions.