Careers

Description:

• • Location:
    • 2225 4th Ave
    • Seattle, WA, 98121
    • United States
  • Employee Type:
    Exempt
• Description

  Northwest Harvest strives to end hunger and address the root causes of poverty --  supporting a statewide network of 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-need schools. Focused on improving equity in our food system, Northwest Harvest believes everyone in Washington should have consistent access to nutritious food that feeds the body, mind, and spirit. In addition to making sure those who suffer from hunger are being fed, Northwest Harvest aims to shift public opinion, as well as impact institutional policies and societal practices that perpetuate hunger, poverty, and disparities in our state. Learn more at http://www.northwestharvest.org

  POSITION SUMMARY:

  The Communications Senior Specialist for Advocacy works within the Advocacy and Communications teams to support and lead implementation of policy and movement building-related communications including but not limited to: federal and state legislation and funding, government agency action, coalition and “support” issue campaigns, the “Right to Food” campaign, community initiatives and other solidarity efforts with external stakeholders and partners.

  This position works cross-functionally in the organization, with primary reporting to Director of Communications and Director of Advocacy, to develop communications plans, including audience personas and strategic messaging, written materials, issue backgrounders, press releases, talking points and presentations. The Communications Senior Specialist for Advocacy will set policy change and movement building communications goals and metrics, develop social media content, and support the internal and external communications needs of the Advocacy team.

  RESPONSIBILITIES:

  Liaison with Advocacy Team (50%)

  • Lead advocacy-related content creation for website, mainstream media education, social media, and digital communications engagement with target advocacy audiences.
  • Cultivate advocacy audience and engagement, using impact data analysis, metrics, reports and visualization
  • Cultivate media relations, press lists, and reporter relations
  • Write backgrounders, media pitches, press releases, op-eds, blog posts, letters to the editor
  • Build a statewide story bank of testimonials of personal experiences with hunger to increase public understanding of hunger and its root causes in racism and poverty.

  Liaison with Communications Team (40%)

  • Support shared communications services and platforms including: updating website content, utilization project management tools for efficient tracking, workflow, supporting in-person and online community engagement projects and presentations, managing external contractors and service providers.
  • Collaborate with Advancement team operations to provide Salesforce support for Advocacy communications as needed.
  • Spokesperson training and support on Advocacy issues for NWH staff and partners.

  General (10%)

  • Speak on behalf of the agency and act as a professional goodwill ambassador representing the agency in the communities we serve, as it pertains to cultivating corporate partners.
  • Stay informed and knowledgeable about strategic priorities, programmatic activities, and partnership opportunities.
  • Participate in cross functional teams and other activities as requested.

  Equity and Inclusion

  • Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact.
  • Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.

  RELATIONSHIPS:

  Internal:  Frequent contact with leadership and staff. Communicate daily to ask questions, receive and provide information.

  External:  Regular contact with vendors, external partners, contractors, professional associates and networks, donors with timely courteous interactions.

   

  COMPENSATION:
  Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and generous benefits which include but are not limited to paid time off, health/vision/dental insurance, and 401(k) retirement plan.

  Pay for this position starts at $58,000 per year.

A combination of the real-life experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.

Successful completion of Criminal History Background check is required.

Ability To/Knowledge Of:

• Demonstrated ability to be a team player; prioritize listening skills and collaboration; establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships internally and externally with respect and empathy.
• Understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity in developing effective communications, respecting the individual’s voice, dignity, and concerns
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to supporting equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ populations and people living with disabilities.
• Ask questions to understand the merits of different approaches and shift strategies in response to demands of a situation.
• Motivate, inspire and leverage the strength of others.
• Maintain a calm and positive can-do attitude in the face of challenging situations; ability to be flexible, agile and responsive to changing needs and strategies.
• Provide excellent customer service and experience coordinating many moving pieces.
• Proven effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Work under strict and competing deadlines and quickly prioritize unrelated tasks.
• Proven successful track record in rapidly and efficiently taking projects from concept to implementation.
• Show demonstrated attention to detail and project management skills.
• Analyze data, present in appropriate format.
• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated written, verbal and Microsoft Office skills.

Experience: 

• At least 2 years of experience leading communications for local, state and/or federal policy change or issue-based advocacy campaigns
• Understanding of strategic messaging and communications planning for political or policy change
• Experience with audience engagement, message testing and social media content creation for policy change, legislative or government funding priorities campaigns
• Experience with digital marketing data collection and analysis
• Experience with digital technologies for project management
• Experience with nonprofit community engagement, movement building and coalition communications work

Education and Training:

Bachelor’s degree is preferred, or equal combination of education and experience.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.  It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.

If you have questions, please email Christina Wong at christinaw@northwestharvest.org.

Apply via Northwest Harvest website.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Northwest Harvest (NWH) is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants.  NWH does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected under local, state or federal law. 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions.