For The People (FTP) works with prosecutors, system leaders, community members, and incarcerated people to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences. We are harnessing the incredible power of prosecutors to join the fight to end sentences that no longer serve justice. Through direct partnerships, we work with prosecutors to safely release and reintegrate incarcerated persons into their communities.
About the Position
For The People is looking for a highly creative and driven Communications Specialist, focusing on Media, Events, and Awards to support the needs of our growing organization. This position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a collaborative team that is focused on achieving major improvements in areas such as changing the culture in District Attorneys offices, reducing the number of people involved in our juvenile and adult criminal justice system, improving conditions for those who remain incarcerated, providing meaningful opportunities for success for those rejoining our communities and improving justice outcomes.
Reporting to our Communications Manager and working alongside our Digital Content Specialist this person will elevate For The People’s brand and expand the emerging vision of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing across the country. This role will work closely with For The People’s staff, prosecutor offices, and people who have returned home from prison to amplify For The People’s story. The Communications Specialist will be responsible for elevating For The People into new thought leadership spaces across the country, including pitching and securing media, identifying and chasing events and awards opportunities, project managing across communications work-streams, and ideating innovative strategy with the communications team.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience at a communications agency or in-house at a nonprofit, a keen eye for brand style, strong attention to detail, media/events/awards chops, and the ability to support the execution of communications strategy in a high-growth environment. They should be deeply familiar with pitches, editorial calendars, press releases, briefing documents, and copy editing. Project management skills and understanding of editorial calendars are a must. A background in marketing, communications or journalism is highly encouraged. Finally, we acknowledge that the best stories are told from the perspective of lived experience. As such, candidates who have experience within the criminal justice system or have been directly system-impacted will be prioritized.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Media Execution: The Communications Specialist will work closely with the Communications Manager to execute on media strategy, with the opportunity to brainstorm and provide input on strategy depending on experience. The Communications Specialist will be expected to help develop a pitch bank, conduct media outreach, own relationship-building with journalists, and secure media opportunities that further For The People’s mission. Once interviews are secured, the Communications Specialist will work closely with For The People’s leadership and members of the press to see the opportunity to the finish line, including media prep and amplification.
- Events: The Communications Specialist will own the tracking and submission of events, ensuring ongoing research and development across the landscape to capture new opportunities. The Communications Specialist will develop event prep documents and work alongside the Communications Manager to prepare thought leaders within For The People, and partner organizations, for upcoming events. The Communications Specialist will also support For The People’s in-house event planning, including coordinating with outside vendors and consultants to ensure a smooth, successful event (both online and in-person).
- Awards: The Communications Specialist should feel confident owning the awards section of our communications program to secure key awards. This includes working closely with the Communications Manager to execute on the agreed-upon awards strategy through ongoing research, drafting submissions, and securing wins. It also involves working closely with the Digital Content Strategist to support subsequent award amplification across digital channels.
- Written Assets: The Communications Specialist should feel highly confident in developing written communications to advance our mission including press releases, pitches, newsletters, event dossiers, and some planning/strategy documents depending on experience.
- Project Management: The Communications Specialist must be proficient in project management tools, driving the organization of the Communications Team. This involves developing trackers, templates, resource management, and ensuring cross-team collaboration so that the Communications Team reaches its strategic goals.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Commitment to our mission and areas of focus, specifically in supporting prosecutors in implementing innovative policies that will result in safely releasing people from prison, ending institutional racism, and restoring human dignity to defendants, formerly incarcerated people and all who are impacted by the criminal justice system.
- Energetic proactivity, bringing new ideas to the table with self-motivation.
- Incredibly sharp writing skills, applicable to pitches, newsletters, press releases, and wider organizational content.
- Intuitive organization. A strong working proficiency in Google Sheets and Google Calendar from a project management perspective.
- Experience working with communications software like MuckRack, Cision, or similar alternatives (encouraged, not required).
- Understanding of key elements of a brand voice and brand style.
- Experience with executing communications plans/strategies.
- Experience with project management across a wide array of ongoing projects, delivering high quality results under deadlines.
- Background in marketing, communications or journalism encouraged but not required.
- Willingness to execute basic, event-based photography with iPhone or a point-and-shoot (provided by the organization).
- Clear, concise communication with others across the organization.
- Must hold a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive to shooting locations in the California Bay Area, including prison releases (depending on COVID safety protocols).
- Experience working in a team environment with a diverse group of organizations in a culturally competent manner across a wide range of sectors. Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to: age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, work experience, and job classification.
- Ability to adapt to the changing needs of the organization, which may require adjusting schedules to enable attending evening or weekend events and/or offsite meetings, as well as rapid response to communications needs.
Location
This position will be located in our Oakland, California office. The Communications Specialist will be required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days a week. The Communications Specialist will also be required to attend various in-person events, including prison releases, special events, and conferences.
Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience; starting range $60-70K
- 100%-paid benefits package for the employee, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, holidays and paid time off
- 25 paid hours for professional development/coaching
- Option to enroll in 403(b) retirement plan
How To Apply
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Submit the information below at: https://fortheppl.bamboohr.com/jobs/
- a resume;
- a cover letter that describes why you are interested in the role and your qualifications;
- three references from people familiar with your qualifications.
- Optional work samples: a relevant press release, pitch, newsletter, op-ed or news article showcasing your work.
Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity Statement
FTP works every day to serve justice and that begins with our team. We are inclusive. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives creativity, understanding and effectiveness, so we are continuing to build a culture where difference is not only valued but sought after. We strive to create a team that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full authentic selves to work.
Please note that applicants must be fully COVID vaccinated to be eligible for consideration.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States to be considered for this role.
Request for Accommodations
If you require accommodations to review and/or apply for this position please contact For The People at info@fortheppl.org and appropriate accommodations will be provided.
For the People is an Equal Opportunity Employer and wants our staff to reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved individuals. We look at each applicant’s full experience and consider each applicant. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply.