Communications Associate

Location: Headquarters, Washington, DC
Department: Communications
Supervisor: Senior Director of Communications

BASIC SUMMARY:

The Communications Associate is responsible for helping to plan and implement a wide variety of media activities to gain coverage for Defenders of Wildlife and the issues on which Defenders works.  S/he is responsible for developing and implementing media plans and coordinating events; writing news releases, factsheets and other press materials; contacting reporters and broadcast journalists; identifying spokespeople; and other activities as assigned by the Senior Director  and/or Vice President for Communications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Writing: Generate press releases, statements, blog entries, 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 telephone calls from the media; serve as point-of-contact for media inquiries and forward reporters’ questions to pertinent program staff members
• 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, Twitter outreach, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

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 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.

COMMENTS:

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.