Statewide Communications Organizer for Education & Labor

California Teachers Association; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Teachers Association (CTA) seeks a Communications Organizer to develop and implement strategies across earned media, email, social media, and digital platforms to support statewide campaigns and local chapter efforts.

You will build relationships with journalists, manage press inquiries, write news materials, and train members and staff on messaging and interview techniques, while advancing CTA's mission for public education and workers' rights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in communications or related field.
• Experience working with journalists in traditional and crisis communications.
• Knowledge of California statewide media landscape and journalists covering politics, public education, and labor.
• Strong writing skills and experience as an advocacy writer.
• Experience developing campaign messaging across digital, print and earned media.
• Skilled in using social media and digital communications to pitch news stories and monitor coverage and trends.
• Ability to work on several projects at a time, under pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Extensive experience leading communications strategy in high stakes, fast moving situations, including strikes, direct actions, and political campaigns.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as individually.
• Deep understanding of the issues facing public schools and the education profession.
• Experience in fast-paced campaigns situations, including contract campaigns, strikes and political campaigns.
• Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice; worker's rights; and a well-funded public education system.
• Adaptable and flexible. Able to adjust seamlessly and effectively to changing factors and conditions that impact CTA campaigns, projects and other union programs.
• Experience in organizing and campaigning, with relentless drive to proactively surpass campaign/program goals under pressure and with the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly changing environment.
• Experience working with coalition partners on high profile labor and governmental matters and campaigns.
• Ability to research and fact check data and materials for internal and external communications.
• Proficiency with Windows PC environment, Microsoft Office, and media databases; Meltwater, Canva, and Salesforce a plus.
• Understanding of membership-based organizations and unions.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
• Ability to work and travel regularly, including evenings and weekends.
• Ideal candidate will be a self-starter, resourceful and highly motivated.

Responsibilities

• Work under the direction of the Communications Manager.
• Primary point of contact on statewide earned media strategy including developing and maintaining ongoing relationships with journalists.
• Respond to media inquiries, pitch stories, and manage press events.
• Write news releases, pitch notes, background pieces, advisories, op-eds, fact sheets and other news-related materials.
• Prepare union members and leaders at all levels for interviews, including TV, radio, print, and other public appearances.
• Train and advise union members and staff on communications strategies, earned media, and interview preparation.
• Create and review messages and communications content across digital platforms and print publications to ensure consistency and message discipline across the union.
• Utilize digital advocacy tools and tactics to advance organizing, bargaining, and political campaigns.
• Support CTA chapters with communications strategy and crisis communications.
• Prepare and provide talking points and speeches for leaders.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Skills

Journalist relations

Media strategy

Crisis communications

Writing skills

Digital communications

Campaign messaging

Advocacy writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Meltwater

Canva

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

The California Teachers Association (CTA) seeks a Communications Organizer to develop and implement strategies across earned media, email, social media, and digital platforms to support statewide campaigns and local chapter efforts.

You will build relationships with journalists, manage press inquiries, write news materials, and train members and staff on messaging and interview techniques, while advancing CTA's mission for public education and workers' rights.