Temp union jobs with AFL-CIO

[Omaha Steve]

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR – CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION
Field Communications Coordinator
Political Field Director in coordination with the Media Outreach Director
Washington, DC
Temporary - not to exceed June 30, 2011


OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Political Department provides union members with opportunities to make their voices heard in the political arena, informs members about candidates’ positions on important working family issues and conducts nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. The Political Department works closely with other departments in the federation, especially with respect to legislative issues, policy development, communications and field implementation.

The Field Communications Campaign Coordinator is responsible for the AFL-CIO field communications program for political and issues campaigns. This includes working with AFL-CIO political field staff, public affairs staff, other field staff, state federations, CLC’s, and various departments to design and implement a field communications program.

The AFL-CIO Field Communications Coordinator leads a team of Field Communications Assistants in targeted states to execute internal and external communications plans as a part of political and issues campaigns. The field communications program has a multi-part purpose:
(1) to advance the goals of political and issues field campaigns through internal and external communications;
(2) to help the AFL-CIO shape the public’s opinion of today’s unions and make workers’ voices heard through on-the-ground activities
(3) to develop people with the skills needed to fill the labor movement’s growing need for effective communicators and activists.

The Field Communications Campaign Coordinator works under the direction of the Field Director in the Political Department, and as part of the Media Outreach Field Communications Team in coordination with the Media Outreach Director in the Public Affairs Department.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Technical Skills
• Lead development and implementation of field communications campaign plans, earned media mobilization and internal leadership communications as needed for: national issues campaign plans, federal and state political campaign plans, state coordinated campaign plans, referenda campaigns, special and municipal campaigns.
• Responsible for leading and coordinating field communications’ staff activity on a day-to-day basis including assignment selection and location.
• Coordinate daily reports and assessments via online communications.
• Assist in the development and implementation of overall field communications budget.
• Train staff and prepare written materials, templates and other communications and message materials for field communications program, working within the issue communications and message guidance developed by the respective departments of the AFL-CIO.
• Lead development of OpEds, news advisories and releases, letters to the editor, YouTube videos, internal newsletters, planning guides and other communications tools for field communications program.

Liaison
• Work with state federations and field staff to integrate field communications staff into political and issues ground campaign planning, including an internal communications program.
• Work with public affairs staff to integrate field communications with overall earned media and message plans and strategies.
• Work with affiliates, state federations, CLC and various departments of the AFL-CIO to design and implement a field communications program.

Reporting
• Keeps the Field Director and the Media Outreach Director informed on a regular basis on issues affecting departmental programs.
• Prepares and submits regular and ad hoc reports as required.

Other
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education
• Bachelor’s degree in political science or related field.
• A minimum of five years of labor/political experience.
• A minimum of five years experience with development and implementation of local and national political program.
Skills
• Demonstrated strong people skills and an ability to lead a team and work in a team environment.
• Strong writing skills with experience writing newsletters or fact sheets preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and inter-personal skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Proficiency with word processing and email programs.
• Experience with advocacy organizations preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple high priority projects with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to travel extensively and work long hours and weekends as required.
• Flexibility to travel as required in the performance of duties.
• Ability to work long and extended hours including weekend.

Contact Information:
Jobpost
AFL-CIO Human Resources Department
815 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
FAX: [phone]
EMAIL: [e-mail]