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Communications Specialist

Employer
California Labor Federation
Location
Sacramento, California
Salary
$105,000
Closing date
Mar 31, 2021

View more

Focus Areas
Associations / Union, Civil Rights / Advocacy, Employment
Job Function
Marketing / Communications
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Willingness to Travel
up to 25%
Experience Level
Professional

Job Details

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of working families here in California and influence policymaking nationally?

The California Labor Federation is the largest state Labor Federation in the United States. The Federation is an umbrella organization comprised of more than 1,200 unions, representing 2.1 million union members: in manufacturing, retail, construction, hospitality, the public sector, healthcare, entertainment and other industries across California.

The mission of the Federation is to be the strongest voice for economic justice in the state through organizing, legislative action, political power, community alliances, and collective bargaining. We seek to maximize the capacity of labor and community organizations to advance policies to support quality job creation, ensure community health, promote shared prosperity, and increase justice for working people, including immigrant workers. We believe that economic justice is achieved through working people standing together with a voice at work.

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Communications Specialist supports the development of strategic messaging to our affiliates, policy makers, and the public to elect pro-worker candidates, advance worker rights and protections through the legislature and administration, hold elected officials accountable, and build the capacity and infrastructure of our unions and central labor councils to win. This position reports to the Communications Director and will be based in either the Oakland or Sacramento office (telecommuting until further notice).

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Participate in strategic communications planning to advance the Federation’s internal and external communications goals;
  • Manage Federation’s social media presence and provide proactive digital strategy to grow and engage supporters on social media;
  • Create engaging social media content, including video and graphics, to further Federation Digital goals and campaigns;
  • Working with the Director, offer strategic guidance on use of social media and online advertising to advance political and legislative campaigns;
  • Provide social media trainings to affiliates and labor councils;
  • Serve as editor of the Federation blog, write original blog posts, secure posts from unions and allies, cross-post relevant content from other blogs;
  • Manage the Federation’s activist email list and work with consultants to provide strategy to grow and engage online activists;
  • Working with the Director, write and disseminate weekly email update. Coordinate content with legislative, political, policy staff and elected officers;
  • Develop materials for use by affiliated unions in their newsletters and trainings;
  • Provide media outreach support which includes writing press releases, advisories, statements, op-eds and pitching reporters and managing Federation press lists;
  • Write brochures, reports and worksite flyers; produce videos and PowerPoint presentations;
  • Provide technical and advisory assistance to central labor councils, state councils, local unions on digital strategy;
  • Provide communications support for events, conventions, and other convenings;
  • Represent the Federation at various meetings and events;
  • Participate in and organize various Federation sponsored meetings and trainings;
  • Work on political and field campaigns, as needed;
  • Maintain confidentiality and honor the proprietary data and property of the Federation at all times.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

  • Strong written and oral communication skills;
  • 3-5 years relevant work experience;
  • BA or above in Journalism, Communications, Political Science or related area of study;
  • Significant experience with digital strategy, social media, internet organizing and presence;
  • Experience with media outreach and earned media strategy;
  • Understanding of labor, economic, political and legislative issues;
  • Campaign experience – as a union member, organizer or representative, or in political, legislative or social justice campaigns;
  • Firm commitment to the goals and ideals of the labor movement;
  • Experience working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments;
  • Attention to detail with ability to balance multiple tasks working both independently and as part of a team;
  • Strong work ethic with ability to work long and irregular hours, including some evenings and weekends;
  • Knowledge of California political and economic climate.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is currently remote/telecommuting and may be based in Oakland or Sacramento. Significant travel to unions across the state, conferences, and meetings. Work on political or electoral campaigns may require longer-term stay in jurisdiction. People of color, bilingual applicants, and women are encouraged to apply.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for the position, a resume, and a writing sample (1000 words max) by April 1, 2021 to Steve Smith, Communications Director, at hiring@calaborfed.org.

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Very competitive salary set by collective bargaining agreement. California Labor Federation employees enjoy excellent benefits including employer-paid health care, dental and vision insurance; a generous leave package; employer-paid defined benefit pension plan and other benefits.

 

UNION REPRESENTATION

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Pacific Media Workers Guild Local 39521, affiliated with the Communications Workers of America. 

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The CLF provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at hiring@calaborfed.org (510) 663-4001, or Fax at (510) 663-4099. Your request will receive an individualized assessment and will be processed in the order it was received.

 

TO APPLY

One of the California Labor Federation’s core values is to provide an inclusive environment to all who are employed here. People of color, bilingual applicants, and women are encouraged to apply. Please send a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, and a resume to hiring@calaborfed.org.

 

California Labor Federation AFL-CIO provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, California Labor Federation AFL-CIO complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. 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.

California Labor Federation AFL-CIO expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Company

WHAT WE DO

The California Labor Federation is dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of working people and their families for the betterment of California’s communities. From legislative campaigns to grassroots organizing, our affiliates are actively engaged in every aspect of California’s economy and government.

Our Structure

The California Labor Federation consists of 1,200 affiliated unions that voluntarily join together to help working people build better lives and futures for our families.

Most of our affiliated unions are also active with central labor councils or building trades councils at the county or regional level. These local bodies function as smaller labor federations that provide organizer training, coordination on legislative and political campaigns, and build progressive coalitions that speak out for social justice. 

Our Three Major Areas of Work

Legislative Action – Our unions help pass laws that protect California’s families and strengthen workers’ rights. California’s unions are active on legislative issues that matter to all Californians—in recent years, we have worked to reform our health care system, increase the minimum wage, and create a discount drug purchasing program for retirees.

Political Action – California’s unions make big political victories possible. Our members have made the critical difference in every recent election. We mobilize 20,000 union volunteers in each election cycle, and we turn out to vote at a rate of 10% higher than non-union voters.

Economic Action—In addition to the work our union members do to keep the economy going, we leverage our resources, our political power and our negotiating power to strengthen our unions. We support labor-employer-government partnerships to prevent layoffs, access public funding for training and help our workers compete in a changing world economy.

Company info
Website
Telephone
5106634000
Location
600 Grand Ave #410
Oakland
CA
94610
United States

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