CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Communications Manager

Advancement Project, a Washington DC-based national civil rights organization group, seeks a highly creative, skilled, and aggressive media pro to join its communications team. We are an innovative civil rights law, policy, and communications “action tank” that advances universal opportunity and a just democracy for those left behind in America. We believe that sustainable progress can be made when multiple tools—law, policy analysis, strategic communications, technology, and research— are coordinated with grassroots movements.

 Advancement Project was founded in 1999 in Los Angeles and Washington DC by veteran civil rights lawyers who were looking for new ways to dismantle structural barriers to inclusion, secure racial equity, and expand opportunity for all.

We create change by:

  • Promoting and supporting coalitions and organizations that bridge race, culture, and class divisions;
  • Building new tools for the national movement for social justice; and
  • Effecting reform of public institutions responsible for providing democratic participation, affordable housing, education, and public health and safety.

EXPERIENCE AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate has significant experience in advocacy, campaign, social justice, civil rights, racial justice, and/or political media relations work, outstanding strategic instincts, excellent writing skills, a proven track record of successful media placements. A strong interest in racial justice issues is essential. The ability to lead initiatives, juggle competing priorities and work effectively within teams and coalitions is important.

Candidate Must Have’s:

  • Worked for a advocacy non-profit organization for at least 3 years
  • At a minimum worked as a mid-level communications professional for 3 years
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Extensive Experience in Communications Planning/Strategy
  • Excellent Writer
  • A demonstrated commitment to social justice issues
  • In depth knowledge of, and fluency in, the world of technology (including basics of blogging, general online publishing best-practices, social networks, etc.)
  • Consumer of News
  • The ability to break down complex issues and communicate them effectively
  • The ability to work well independently and to collaborate closely within and across teams
  • Extraordinary attention to detail
  • The ability to identify challenges and actively work to find solutions
  • The ability to learn quickly and work in a fast paced environment
  • Flexibility
  • Sense of Humor
  • Creative, resourceful, and professional
  • Demonstrated Leadership ability
  • Ability to draft, edit and proof read press releases and other written materials
  • Ability to media train staff spokespeople and community activists
  • A true enthusiasm and passion for the work of Advancement Project
  • Hard worker who is as needed willing to work 50-60 hours a week in order to make things happen.

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE POSITION

Media Relations: This includes writing and strategically distributing press releases, opinion pieces, and other materials; placing stories in appropriate national, local and online outlets; setting up opportunities for our experts to appear on radio, TV, or before editorial boards; and organizing press events or briefings when appropriate.

Online Marketing Strategies and Web Presence: This requires devising aggressive internet marketing strategies to raise Advancement Project’s profile– including email advocacy campaigns, building list serves, positioning our experts as leaders in the field and promoting expert content.

Amplifying/Marketing Key Programs: Responsibilities include promoting key programs of the organization to appropriate constituencies. This will require working with program staff to separately devise marketing plans and efforts to target key audiences with the right language using the right vehicles. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate success in program marketing.

Writing and Editing Materials: Duties include overseeing the production (including writing and editing) of e-newsletters, magazine, and writing articles and op eds for publication.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Enhance the Advancement Project’s brand through strategic communications messages.
  • Create, launch, manage and implement comprehensive, targeted, and sustainable public relations programs/plans that supports Advancement Project’s programs and mission.
  • Create and execute large scale, web-based campaigns
  • Leverage Advancement Project’s work through social networking channels built on YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook.
  • Create and maintain a presence on relevant blogs.
  • Produce collateral and marketing materials, i.e. newsletter, annual report, brochures, special event materials, electronic newsletter, etc.
  • Keep website current.
  • Manage relationships with pro-bono graphic designers, freelance writers and other freelance talent as needed.
  • Track and archive media clips.
  • Work closely with staff to implement program priorities through development of effective outreach materials, event planning and promotion, networking and coalition-building, and media relations.
  • Coordinate production and distribution of special communications projects as needed (reports, booth displays, DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, brochures, backgrounders, etc).
  • Draft and distribute news releases, participate in media strategy development and implementation on an as-needed basis, build relationships with reporters by providing them with reliable and timely information and connecting them to valuable spokespeople.

APPLYING

We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package. Advancement Project is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

This position is located in Washington, DC.

Submit resume, cover letter, writing samples and three references to:

Sabrina Williams
Communications Director
Advancement Project
1220 M Street, NW, #850
Washington DC, 20005
E-mail: swilliams@advancementproject.org
Fax: 202/728-9558

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

 

Law Fellowship Opportunities for Fall 2010

Advancement Project is seeking applicants to sponsor for the Skadden and Equal Justice Works Fellowships. Fellows would work on a project within our Opportunity to Learn, Power and Democracy, Inclusive Development, or Immigrant Justice projects. Fellows would work closely with experienced civil rights attorneys and would be provided with intensive training. For more information about these programs, please go to www.advancementproject.org.

Advancement Project is an innovative policy, communications, and legal action group that develops, encourages, pioneers, and widely disseminates innovative ideas and models that inspire and mobilize a broad national racial justice movement to achieve universal opportunity and a just democracy. With offices in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, California, Advancement Project supports organized communities in their struggles for racial and social justice.

If selected, an applicant will be assisted in formulating a project proposal. We are seeking a law student entering her or his third year, or a recent graduate who expects to complete a clerkship in the summer of 2010. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to public service. Some experience in racial justice work, policy advocacy, or community organizing is a plus. Fluency in Spanish is also a plus.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, and list of 2 to 3 references to:

Alexi Nunn
Staff Attorney
Advancement Project
1220 L Street, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20005
P: (202)728-9557
F: (202)728-9558
anunn@advancementproject.org

Please direct all questions to the contact person listed above.

For more information about the fellowship programs, visit www.equaljusticeworks.org or www.skaddenfellowships.org.

Campaign Director/Chief Strategist

Advancement Project seeks a campaign director/chief strategist to lead our effort to build public understanding of the issues surrounding proposals to create and protect an affirmative right to vote.

Advancement Project's Right to Vote Initiative:

Most Americans would probably be surprised to learn that there is no provision of U.S. law that affirmatively guarantees citizens the right to vote. No such right is explicitly guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the 1965 Voting Rights Act or any other federal legislation. The Supreme Court majority in the Bush v. Gore case concluded: "the individual citizen has no federal constitutional right to vote for electors for the President of the United States." Without a federal guarantee of the right to vote, states use their control over this basic citizenship right in a patchwork quilt of arbitrary rules. Advancement Project's arduous efforts to protect voting rights have revealed the need for a consistent, uniform method of registering and voting that is guaranteed and protected by the federal government.Over the past two years, Advancement Project and others have explored options for guaranteeing voting rights in federal law and ending practices that unnecessarily disenfranchise voters.

Campaign Director Job Description: The ideal candidate has experience in advocacy and/or legislative development, and a passion for voting rights. The campaign director will oversee the development and implementation of domestic activism and movement building for Advancement Project's Right to Vote Initiative. Experience in the following is key: community outreach, organizing, and legal analysis. The job requires an enthusiastic self-starter who can manage and inspire a campaign team.

Roles of the Campaign Director/Chief Strategist:

  • Coordination of Legal Analysis work closely with Advancement Project's Power and Democracy and Communications Directors, Co-directors, board members, other key staff, and allies to develop legal analysis and reform concepts.
  • Community Outreach create a diverse constituency of support for the right to vote.
  • Strategic Planning Develop and implement a 50- state plan to educate the public and build public will for an affirmative right to vote.

Requirements:

  • Four-year college degree, with a Master's degree preferred, with at least 5 years of campaign experience at a senior level;
  • Strong background in traditional organizing and e-advocacy as well as involvement in new media;
  • Background in developing and executing domestic campaigns;
  • Prior supervisory experience, preferably in a non-profit setting;
  • Strong network among the institutions and individuals involved in advocacy and campaign work on civil/voting rights issues;
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects;
  • Demonstrated success working in a campaign environment and ability to work with flexibility and collegiality;
  • Exceptional communication skills, especially writing and public speaking;
  • An advanced understanding of the interrelationship between policy, the legislative and executive branches, the media, and grassroots networks;
  • Advanced understanding of advocacy campaigns and the media is essential;
  • Adept team player with good interpersonal and managerial skills;
  • A high level of personal energy, dependability, and commitment; and
  • The ability to organize, develop, and execute creative strategies in a fast-paced and demanding setting.

How to Apply:

Please email a resume and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position to swilliams@advancementproject.org, subject line "Campaign Director/Chief Strategist."

We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package. Advancement Project is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

This position is located in Washington, DC.

LOCAL VOTER PROTECTION ADVOCATE: PENNSYLVANIA

Advancement Project (DC) seeks a temporary, part-time Local Voter Protection Advocate for Pennsylvania. The Local Voter Protection Advocate will join our 2008 Voter Protection Program, which is part of our Power and Democracy Initiative. Through our non-partisan voter protection work we will focus on sustained pre-election activities and solutions in order to permanently break down barriers to voting inthe 2008 election cycle and beyond. The Pennsylvania Local Voter Protection Advocate ("LVPA") will be Advancement Project's on-the-ground eyes and ears in key counties.

The duties of the LVPA include: (1) identifying and organizing community groups and stakeholders into a "Local Voter Protection Coalition;" (2) helping the coalition build relationships with local election officials in order to streamline the registration process and prevent problems; (3) anticipating issues and working to resolve them; (4) working with local groups to encourage adoption of Advancement Project's voter protection model into their voter registration and community voter-education activities, including providing technical support to local allies, as needed; and (5) working closely with Advancement Project's legal staff to address and remedy barriers to voter participation.

The LVPA will be expected to use organizing, coalition-building and community problem-solving skills to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward building a racially just democracy. More specifically, the LVPA will:

  • Identify community partners and build a working voter-protection coalition.
  • Trouble shoot and provide advice on voter-registration and participation barriers.
  • Assist with voter-registration verification efforts.
  • Monitor/challenge purging practices.
  • Monitor/challenge plans for Election Day practices (in advance), e.g. provisional ballots, ID requirements, polling-place staffing and preparation.
  • Attend coalition meetings with election officials.
  • Perform Election-Day monitoring.
  • Work with communications department to maximize public impact of voter- protection activities.
  • Assist in drafting voter-protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination for Advancement Project's website and for racial-justice advocates.

Qualifications: Candidate must have strong writing and interpersonal skills, and a proven commitment to racial justice. A college degree is required; a law degree is helpful but not necessary. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience, and familiarity with voting rights and/or civil rights lawsare pluses. Salary based on experience.

To Apply: Applicants should send their resume with a list of references and the phrase "PA Local Voter Protection Advocate" in the subject line, toGlendale Clarksonat: gclarkson@advancementproject.orgor fax to: (202) 728-9557.

Deadline: Applications accepted until position filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

Temporary Florida Voter Protection Advocate

Advancement Project seeks a temporary, full-time Voter Protection Advocate to work on voter protection issues in northern and central Florida in our Power and Democracy Program. The Advocate will be employed full time for a two-month period to conclude at the end of November (approximately).

Recent elections have exposed persistent structural barriers to full enfranchisement, especially in communities of color. Advancement Project's non-partisan Voter Protection Program focuses on community- based pre-election activities and solutions to remove these barriers. We employ our legal and communications expertise in the voter-protection arena to: (1) identify and correct problems well before Election Day; (2) build and refine the infrastructure needed for effective voter protection now and during the years to come; and (3) put program teamswell seasoned by years of fighting for fair electionsat the disposal of voter-registration projects and local community coalitions.

In the 2008 election cycle, we are working in nine states and approximately 40 counties within those states. We are continuing to identify, investigate, and remove structural barriers to full enfranchisement. In particular, we are working with community groups and election officials to dismantle obstacles; identify and solve problems that may arise in the 2008 election in our priority states and counties; and continue our litigation of existing and new voting-rights cases.

Advancement Project develops, encourages, pioneers and widely disseminates ideas and models that support and mobilize a broad national racial justice movement so that universal opportunity and a just democracy are achieved. Primarily through use of legal and communications strategies, Advancement Project partners with organized communities of color to accomplish structural change. Advancement Project was formed in 1998 by nationally known civil rights attorneys and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Calif. The Washington, D.C. staff includes veteran civil rights attorneys Penda D. Hair (Co-Director), Judith A. Browne (Co-Director) and Edward A. Hailes (Senior Attorney).

The Voter Protection Advocate will be expected to use community problem-solving, strategic communications, and/or law to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the Advocate will:

  • Design and conduct investigations of various voter-protection issues, including those related to voter registration; the use of provisional ballots; ID requirements; and polling- place staffing and preparation;
  • Conduct policy research;
  • Troubleshoot and provide advice on voter registration and participation barriers;
  • Assist with voter registration verification efforts;
  • Attend coalition meetings and meetings with election officials;
  • Train lawyers, voter-registration campaigns and advocates on voter protection requirements;
  • Perform Election-Day monitoring;
  • Draft voter-protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project's website;
  • Draft voter-protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project's website;

Qualifications
Candidate must have strong research, writing and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial justice. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Candidates must be residents of Florida, preferably north or central Florida. Extensive travel is required. Salary based on experience; benefits included. Applicants should submit their resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson (gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax 202/728-9558), Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

National Right to Vote Interim Coordinator

Advancement Project is seeking an Interim Coordinator to begin work in support of a national campaign to secure passage of a federal constitutional amendment enshrining an affirmative right to vote.

The Interim Coordinator will work for a six-month period with the Power and Democracy Director and the Communications Director to:

  • develop and execute a national mapping project tracking the disparities in relevant registration and voting requirements across all U.S. counties and barriers to voting during the 2008 election cycle;
  • design and execute a plan to capture citizen stories about voting through a variety of creative means;
  • survey Congressional members in both the House and the Senate about their support for an NRV amendment;
  • develop a sophisticated Web site and database for supporters;
  • prepare and release a comprehensive, national report that presents findings on documented disparities, public attitudes based on polling data, and reflections on the 2008 election that are connected to NRV.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, the Coordinator must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
College degree is a must. Additional educational or training credentials preferred. At least eight years of related experience is required. Experience in communications, legal or legislative advocacy or organizing campaigns are a plus.

TO APPLY
Applicants should submit their cover letter, resume and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson (gclarkson@advancementproject.org) or fax (202) 728-9558, Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036

Note: To learn more about Advancement Project and to download a copy of our recent Right to Vote Report, visit our website: www.advancementproject.org

Temporary Virginia Voter Protection Advocate

Advancement Project seeks a temporary, full-time Voter Protection Advocate to work on voter protection issues in Virginia in our Power and Democracy Program. The Advocate will be employed for a one-year period.

Recent elections have exposed persistent structural barriers to full enfranchisement, especially in communities of color. Advancement Project's non-partisan Voter Protection Program focuses on community- based pre-election activities and solutions to remove these barriers. We employ our legal and communications expertise in the voter protection arena to: (1) identify and correct problems well before Election Day; (2) build and refine the infrastructure needed for effective voter protection now and during the years to come; and (3) put program teamswell seasoned by years of fighting for fair electionsat the disposal of voter-registration projects and local community coalitions.

In the 2008 election cycle, we are working in nine states and approximately 40 counties within those states. We are continuing to identify, investigate, and remove structural barriers to full enfranchisement. In particular, we are working with community groups and election officials to dismantle obstacles; identify and solve problems that may arise in the 2008 election in our priority states and counties; and continue our litigation of existing and new voting-rights cases.

Advancement Project develops, encourages, pioneers and widely disseminates ideas and models that support and mobilize a broad national racial-justice movement so that universal opportunity and a just democracy are achieved. Primarily through use of legal and communications strategies, Advancement Project partners with organized communities of color to accomplish structural change. Advancement Project was formed in 1998 by nationally known civil rights attorneys and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Calif. The Washington, D.C. staff includes veteran civil rights attorneys Penda D. Hair (Co-Director), Judith A. Browne (Co-Director) and Edward A. Hailes (Senior Attorney).

The Voter Protection Advocate will be expected to use community problem-solving, strategic communications, and/or law, to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the Advocate will:

  • Design and conduct investigations of various voter-protection issues, including those related to voter registration; the use of provisional ballots; ID requirements; and polling-place staffing and preparation;
  • Conduct policy and/or legal research;
  • Troubleshoot and provide advice on voter registration and participation barriers;
  • Assist with voter registration verification efforts;
  • Train lawyers, voter-registration campaigns and advocates on voter-protection requirements;
  • Perform Election-Day monitoring;
  • Draft voter-protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial-justice advocates and for Advancement Project's Web site;
  • Draft opinion editorials or letters to the editor

Qualifications
Candidate must have strong research, writing and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial justice. A J.D. and litigation experience are strongly preferred. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Extensive travel is required. Salary based on experience; benefits included. Applicants should submit their resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson (gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax 202/728-9558), Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.