The Communications Specialist is responsible for leading and coordinating PUSH’s internal and external communications via digital, social and other means. They will work with a team to advance the strategic communications work associated with the organization’s issue-based campaign and coalition activities. They will act as a liaison between PUSH Buffalo and the community, present for events, campaigns, meetings and gatherings to collect photos, impressions and prepare notes for announcements and recaps.
The Communications Specialist will meet and consult regularly with PUSH teams and members to pitch and advise on both long-term and rapid response communications that build narrative power for the organization and its members.
They will:
• Assist with developing and implementing strategic communications policy for the organization .
• Manage PUSH’s social media accounts & website content, including but not limited to the blog section. Create original content and re-post relevant third-party content or content shared by movement allies and coalition partners. Draft original content for the blog and solicit original content contributions from staff and members.
• Pursue earned media opportunities with local, state, national, and international media outlets.
• Inventory and archive on PUSH’s website earned media placements featuring PUSH staff and members involved in the organization’s issue-based campaigns and coalitions, as well as youth active in the Grant Street Neighborhood Center programming.
• Assist the Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives in leading all PUSH media engagement activities, including fielding and redirecting media requests, drafting media advisories and press releases, securing quotes from staff and members, reporter interview scheduling and speaker prep, media outreach and follow-up.
• Guide staff in the distributed use of PUSH social media channels and provide training as necessary to ensure high standards are consistently met.
• Create social share content, e.g., memes, graphics, etc., and/or outsource content needs to third party design vendors as necessary.
• Conduct strategic communications needs assessments with PUSH teams/departments, as necessary.
• Represent PUSH in local, state, and national coalitions where communication working groups or committees are formed and/or PUSH presence is desired. Serve as the primary point of contact with coalition/community/press/other partners on communications related matters.
• Assist with developing and leading strategic communications training for staff and members as necessary.
• Assist in maintaining quality control over all PUSH and affiliated websites and social media accounts, ensuring consistent and complimentary design standards, messaging, and framing.
• Work with leadership to develop and implement content strategy for distribution to social media, email, and website about: member-driven organizing campaigns, membership meetings, social events, and gatherings; client-facing services and opportunities; PUSH mentions in the media; Staff-facing communications and information; donor events, broad content relevant to movement building and culture (including holidays, celebrations, memorials, etc.); re-posting of relevant content from coalition partners, movement allies, local community partners, etc.
• Collect information for, format and send weekly staff newsletter, “What’s Up, PUSH” to PUSH staff each week.
• Collect information for, format, update and make recommendations for PUSH Staff Intranet – currently via Sharepoint sites.
• Guide staff in the distributed use of PUSH social media channels and provide training as necessary to ensure high standards are consistently met.
• Assist in managing organizational web development. Assist the Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives in making design decisions around PUSH and affiliated websites.
• Perform job duties in ways that will promote and uphold our organization’s mission.
The ideal candidate will have:
• Associate degree in business, Communications or related; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in communications, including professional social media management and copywriting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and powerfully in writing and orally around issues directly relevant to diverse multi-racial, multi-gender, multi-ethnic communities, and/or economic justice, environmental justice, energy democracy, and social justice issues.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of effective communications, digital campaign organizing, and community engagement strategies required.
• Must reside locally in Buffalo, NY area, able to work on site at least three (3) days per week and be present as needed/required for PUSH events, PUSH partnered events, membership meetings, community gatherings, press opportunities, guided Green Development Zone tours, etc. Must be comfortable recording notes to bring back to the team and taking pictures.
• Must be well-versed in WNY local news (social, political, weather, culture), community matters, maintaining relationships with partners and community leaders, and holding a basic understanding of Buffalo’s history, especially on the West Side.
• Strong graphic design and communications design skills, and a functioning understanding of multiple design platforms (Adobe, Canva, Microsoft, etc.)
• Knowledge of national, state, and/or local grassroots movement organizing history, principles, and practices, as well as major policy shifts highly preferred and helpful;
• Experience working with communities of color, immigrant communities, and/or people whose first or only language is other than English is highly desirable.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office suite and able to (easily) navigate social media applications, website applications, customer relationship management platforms (such as Salesforce) (preferred but not required) and cloud-based systems.
• A proactive, creative, and flexible attitude.
• Willing to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary.
• Previous direct supervisory experience is preferred.
• A valid NYS driver’s license and access to reliable private transportation is required.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
The salary range for this position, starting salary to be determined by combination of education, experience, and skill level, is:
- $21.00 – 23.68 per hour