The Washington State Budget & Policy Center (WSBPC) provides credible, independent and accessible information and analyses of state fiscal issues - including both revenue and spending policies - with particular attention to the impacts on low and moderate-income persons.
Budget and Policy Center — budgetandpolicy.org The Washington State Budget & Policy Center works to advance the economic well-being of all Washingtonians.
Campaign Communications Specialist
This role will be remote until the Budget & Policy Center determines it is safe to go back to in-person work at our Seattle office.
The Washington State Budget & Policy Center is searching for a campaign communications specialist to join our hardworking, fun, and small-but-mighty communications team. We’re seeking a specialist to advance our efforts to enact and expand state and federal cash assistance policies to help put cash in the pockets of people with low incomes – with a primary focus on passing legislation to provide a tax credit to approximately one million low-income households in Washington state.
The communications specialist will implement campaign communications for the Working Families Tax Credit coalition. They will work to advance the organizing and legislative goals of this highly collaborative coalition of more than 30 regional, statewide, and national organizations that seek to pass cash stimulus policies that: ensure people with low incomes can meet their basic needs, help undo racial inequities and barriers to wealth, include cash assistance for undocumented immigrants, and strengthen local economies.
The specialist will also implement communications strategies for the Washington State Budget & Policy Center’s related policies aimed at ensuring people in Washington have economic security. These kinds of policies are especially critical during the COVID-19 public health and economic crises.
The role is a six-month, term-limited position (with a possible extension, contingent upon fundraising).
This position works weekdays during regular business hours; however, limited evening and weekend coverage of Seattle or Olympia events or social media actions may be required. The role reports to the Budget & Policy Center communications director and works closely with the Working Families Tax Credit coalition manager, members of the policy and communications teams at the Budget & Policy Center, and team leads with the WFTC coalition.
Responsibilities
Manage communications and serve as a lead for the communications subcommittee for the WFTC coalition, working and planning alongside the field organizing and policy/lobbying team leads
In collaboration with the WFTC field organizing committee, help build out a story bank of personal stories from people who can talk about what extra cash would mean for them – and create opportunities to share those stories on social media, online, with reporters, etc.
Develop and implement proactive earned media outreach. This involves:
Writing, releasing, and doing follow-up on press releases and media advisories
Making targeted pitches to reporters and potentially organizing press calls or webinars
Occasionally preparing spokespeople
Manage social media and online campaigns. This involves:
Designing campaign graphics (or working with a designer)
Creating and generating stakeholder engagement with social media toolkits
Using other online tools (such as e-communications) to communicate with key audiences about our work
Work with Budget & Policy Center staff and WFTC coalition partners to ensure they’re using consistent messaging
Write, edit, and produce original content including email and text blasts, recorded video messages, and content for various websites
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required:
Demonstrated commitment to equity in all forms, and to the Budget & Policy Center’s goals of justice and prosperity for all Washingtonians
A demonstrated understanding of the need to undo racial inequities in public policies and institutions, as well as an understanding of the systemic barriers to opportunity and wealth that lead to disproportionate rates of poverty among people of color
Experience working with the media, implementing social media actions, and collecting personal stories
Experience working in a communications role or similar role in previous statewide or regional campaigns (related to legislation or ballot initiatives or candidates)
Attention to detail and ability to coordinate multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines with a range of different partners
Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills
Strong writing, editing, and copy-editing skills. Ability to communicate effectively and compellingly with a wide range of audiences
Skills with social media – primarily Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube
Desired:
Ability to translate sometimes complex policy concepts into accessible written materials
Skills in WordPress, email-distribution systems, and graphic design software/platforms – Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, and Canva preferred
The Budget & Policy Center values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color; immigrants; people with disabilities; people of any sexual orientation or gender identity; and people with low-income backgrounds and other diverse life experiences.
How to Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and one optional graphic design sample to jobs@budgetandpolicy.org. In your cover letter, please address your campaign communications experience and your commitment to advancing racial equity.