ABOUT OUT & EQUAL
Out & Equal is committed to ending employment discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees. We believe that people should be judged by the work they do, not by their sexual orientation or gender identity. Every day, we work to protect and empower employees to be productive and successful—so they can support themselves, their families, and contribute to achieve a world free of discrimination. For more information, visit our website at www.outandequal.org.
Summary
The Communications Associate is an integral part of a team who creates and manages Out & Equal’s communications with our affiliates, business partners, and colleagues. Through our communications, we have the opportunity to impact national and global conversations about the need for safe and equal workplaces for LGBT employees and their allies and to help build a climate where employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel respected and valued. We also provide concrete information about the movement for workplace equality and the ways in which businesses and business leaders can implement positive changes in their work settings. We are responsible for ensuring that both the business community and the LGBT community are aware of the resources that Out & Equal has to offer and the opportunities that they have to support and participate in our work.
Job responsibilities
The Communications Associate assists the Director of Communications, providing support with both ongoing communication’s projects as well as timely responses to current events.
Specific responsibilities include:
o Twitter: Writing and distributing tweets for the organization, the Out & Equal Workplace Summit and the Executive Director;
o Facebook: Maintaining and updating Facebook pages in a way that invites conversation and engagement with the organization.
o You Tube: Managing and displaying our videos in a professional and interesting way
o Working with other new media platforms (existing or emerging) as appropriate;
- Blog: Assisting with our newly developed but rapidly growing Wordpress blog
o Ensuring a wide variety of voices from our staff members, constituents and partners;
o Writing for the blog and assisting others who need editorial or conceptual help;
o Maintaining the professional look and feel of the blog.
- Webpage: Our face to the world
o Assisting other team members with keeping the website current and relevant, both in terms of content and site management;
o Providing input and assistance through an upcoming web redesign project.
- Emails: Sending information to our constituents
o Work on the creation and distribution of timely and interesting communications with our e-mail lists;
o Assist other staff members with the development of their newsletters and other communications;
o Maintain, update and edit our distribution lists in Constant Contact.
- Outreach: helping spread the message of workplace equality
o Assisting with the writing, creation, and distribution of marketing materials;
o Provide technical assistance to the other departments at Out & Equal to help them communicate their messages in an effective way;
o Work with the communication’s team to raise public awareness of Out & Equal, its founder and other staff members.
- Media: engaging with the media to reach the public with our message
o Maintain contact lists for reporters and other media;
o Assist in the writing, creation and distribution of press releases, both of scheduled events and current issues.
o Developing PowerPoint and other presentations for the organization and Executive Director;
o Assisting other staff members to create professional and well-organized presentations.
Individual Qualities
Stake in what we do: have a passion for Out & Equal’s mission and a commitment to full equality for LGBT people
Teamwork: ability to work effectively with colleagues but also able to take a project and run with it with minimal supervision
Flexibility: willing to take on the big and small tasks, the exciting and the mundane, as the occasion requires, and comfortable in the ever-changing world of communications
Digital: able and eager to learn new software and platforms, and to problem solve when needed
Visual: visually literate, able to distinguish strong design from sheer ugliness or a visual mess
Organization: ability to keep complex data organized and stay on top of things
Engaged: an interest in and knowledge of current issues about LGBT people and/or the business community
Thoughtful: thinking through how to present ideas and information in way that maximizes the chances of it being heard; thinking before speaking, especially when you are communicating on behalf of the organization
Friendliness: providing a positive face of Out & Equal to the public as well as having positive working relationships with colleagues
Follow-through: completing projects you’ve begun and doing your part to keep the team on track with the many tasks we are all doing
Tenacity: being willing to keep at it until you’ve figured out just why that code isn’t working!
Time management: able to budget time to complete multiple projects within their deadlines
Fun: A sense of humor is always helpful
Contributes: adds ideas, energy and vision to the mix
Balance: ability to stay focused even when things get hectic
Qualifications
Education: a college degree in any field or significant relevant life experience
Excellent and demonstrated writing, analytic, and communications skills
Active, current knowledge of digital media, including new media platforms
At least a basic working knowledge of web design and maintenance, including basic HTML coding
Ability to use software and digital tools that we use or the ability and willingness to learn them, including Microsoft Office and Adobe design software, Hootsuite, Drupal,YouTube, and Wordpress.
Skills in video and audio editing would be a very helpful addition to our team and gets bonus points, as would experience coordinating a social media campaign
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS
This position requires frequent computer use and the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
TO APPLY
Send resume with cover letter and compensation requirements. Include the position to which you are applying (in subject line) to Pamela Berkowitz at PBerkowitz@OutandEqual.org or fax to Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, FAX (415) 694-6530. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any of the following: race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or gender characteristic, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
