Communications and Field Associate, Strategies for Children, Inc.

Organization Link
Strategies for Children, Inc.
Position Description

Type: Full time
Timeframe: Grant funded one-year position with potential for renewal.
Reports to: EEA Campaign Director
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Evenings and Saturdays may be required occasionally.


Position Profile

Strategies for Children, Inc. (SFC) is a Boston-based non-profit organization that helps children get a strong start in life by working to ensure they have access to high-quality early education and are proficient readers by the time they enter fourth grade. SFC works to achieve its goals through public policy, advocacy, research, constituency building, and public awareness. Through its signature statewide Early Education for All (EEA) Campaign, SFC’s advocacy work has resulted in the creation of the nation’s first consolidated state Department of Early Education and Care (EEC); the creation and cumulative funding of $30 million for the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) grant program; the doubling of the percentage of children in full-day kindergarten (FDK); and the creation and cumulative funding of over $15 million for the Early Educators Scholarship Program. SFC’s work has laid the foundation for a statewide system of high-quality early education and care for all children, beginning at birth.

SFC is leveraging these gains and building a statewide movement to ensure that all Massachusetts children are proficient readers by the time they enter fourth grade, a key predictor of academic success. To ensure capacity to achieve this vision, SFC is hiring a communications and field associate as a critical member of the staff team, to help build and mobilize a statewide volunteer field team and to raise awareness and support for our goals. This position reports to the SFC/EEA Campaign director and also works closely with the SFC communications director and requires a highly-motivated self-starter with a strong interest in communications, public policy and early childhood education. Excellent writing skills, attention to detail, a sense of humor, flexibility, and teamwork are essential to being effective in this position. Outstanding candidates will also bring a passion for young children and early education policy and an entrepreneurial spirit. This position has two primary responsibilities:


Primary responsibility

Help to develop and manage a dynamic statewide volunteer field operation to help achieve SFC’s policy goals and to foster and promote early literacy “best practices.”

Recruit volunteers and help manage volunteer database.
• Help to develop and support implementation of a volunteer recruitment plan in prioritized state legislative districts across the commonwealth. This requires coordination and follow up from SFC-sponsored legislative advocacy trainings and other events, implementation of social marketing strategies, and leveraging existing partnerships and building new ones.
• Help to manage SFC’s database of volunteers, including managing data input, updating, segmentation and tracking.

Engage volunteers in advocacy and awareness efforts to achieve SFC’s goal of universal reading proficiency.
• Work with SFC field team to engage volunteers:
o In electoral advocacy efforts including developing relationships and communicating with candidates for office and implementing SFC’s electoral strategy during the 2010 election cycle and beyond.
o In advocacy efforts associated with the state budget and legislative processes, and other opportunities as they arise.
o To submit letters to the editor and/or op-ed columns to local newspapers and/or participate in editorial board meetings.
o To participate in public events/meetings, including providing testimony at public hearings and town hall meetings.
• Monitor effectiveness of all field outreach and advocacy activities

Primary responsibility

Help to develop and implement an integrated marketing/communications/public relations strategy that raises awareness and support for high-quality early education and third grade reading proficiency.

Work with SFC communications director to implement SFC’s media and communication plan.
• Draft press releases and statements and maintain/update SFC’s press list.
• Draft and help manage production of letters, PowerPoint presentations, talking points and other collateral.
• Coordinate correspondence/mailings/outreach with multiple constituencies and key stakeholder groups.
• Track and catalogue news clips and other information sources; identify and pursue press follow-up opportunities.

Manage SFC’s on-line/electronic presence including websites, Facebook, e-advocacy functionality, and use of social marketing strategies
• Manage SFC’s e-advocacy tool, including maintaining and cleaning up lists and significant data entry. Format and produce electronic messages. Monitor advocacy participation and messaging effectiveness.
o Includes helping to manage the transition to new e-advocacy functionality in 2010.
• Update SFC and EEA websites and other online outlets (ie., Facebook, blog, etc.).

General Duties

• Work closely with other staff to ensure consistent language and branding across all materials.
• Work with other staff to manage documents inventory on the SFC server.
• Help to plan and coordinate meetings, including packet preparation, and all events.
• Participate in weekly team meetings.
• Other administrative duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with experience in relevant field.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access; Dreamweaver; Adobe Creative Suite; ability and eagerness to learn new computer programs as necessary.
• Knowledge of the early care and education field broadly, and in Massachusetts.
• A self-starter who can work independently and also as a highly effective team member.
• Detail oriented and diligent in follow through.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with state legislative and political processes.
• Bilingual: English and Spanish.

Compensation
Based on experience
How to Apply

Please forward cover letter, writing sample, and resume to Diana Meyers, Administrative Director, at dmeyers@strategiesforchildren.org

Strategies for Children, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Persons of color, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Last day to apply

March 6, 2010