Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Hot Job

LA Office - Los Angeles, CA 90017

Overview

Salary Range $29.20 - $43.80 Hourly Position Type FT, Fixed Term

Description

We are looking for a Communications Specialist to join our team in Los Angeles! WHO WE ARE

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation's largest legal and civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, and advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races and ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights and social justice for everyone.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country.

We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, and U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops and resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies and grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California.

WHAT WE BRING

• The special opportunity to join a mission driven team
• Flexible, hybrid work schedules
• Rich medical, dental and vision benefits
• Retirement options through 403B and match

WHO YOU ARE

You share our mission of advocacy for Asian Pacific Americans. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Master's degree in Policy or Law preferred. Minimum Bachelor's degree (or a combination of education and relevant work experience)
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in strategic public affairs and nonprofit PR
• Direct involvement in public policy and advocacy
• Exceptional interpersonal communication verbal and written skills
• Valid driver's license and/or access to alternative means of transportation
• Demonstrated expertise in social justice, public policy processes, and commitment to low-income, immigrant communities, AAPI or non-profit environments
• Proficient in and email management and website content management systems such as Meltwater, Mail Chimp, Salesforce, Google Analytics.
• Proficient in social media multi-channel content creation, analysis and publishing system Hootsuite.
• Proficient in graphic design systems such as Canva and/or Illustrator
• Ability to supervise and provide ongoing mentorship to staff and interns
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Strong computer and database skills with familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite products preferred
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends

Qualifications

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Communications Specialist will plan and execute public outreach campaigns designed to advance the organization's Programs efforts in immigration, impact litigation, voting rights/protection, and other civic engagement. The Specialist will handle rapid response, promote our work and services across these Program units which strengthens advocacy for AAPIs especially the vulnerable socio-economic and limited-English-speaking members in Southern California. In a time-sensitive environment, from idea to execution in deep collaboration with Program units, the Specialist identifies needs, advises on strategy and messaging. In coordination with Communications, the Specialist executes campaigns in within urgent deadlines that can include but is not limited to digital and print content, media relations, social media and emails. This is fixed term position and IS covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 25% Serve as Communications advisor for the above-designated Program units.
• Liaise with directors of Program units to advise on external communications needs and opportunities
• Work closely with Communications Director to finalize and execute campaign strategies
• Attend relevant unit meetings to stay current on issues and needs
• Track relevant AAPI news and current events
• Serve as lead on unit outreach events such as media briefings, community workshops, clinics
• Participate in relevant affiliate-wide communication campaigns related to shared issues
• 25% Create and execute campaign content for the above-designated Program units.
• Coordinate media relations with Communications Director for pitching, story development and follow-up
• Produce digital and print materials in collaboration with unit program staff as content for social media, email subscribers and website. This will include creation of videos, photos, graphics, text, and more. Execute email distribution, social media and web postings according to plan.
• Create, update and refine email subscriber lists (in newsletter system) used for customized strategic distribution of messages.
• Produce press materials in collaboration with unit program staff including talking points, press releases, advisories, fact sheets, etc.
• Related to the designated units, execute media relations plans: media pitching and story development as well as manage incoming interview requests.
• Monitor and update website content related to designated unit work. Support the Digital Communications Strategist on ajsocal.org by handling additional content and technical updates.
• Work closely with the Communications team on an organization-wide centralized publishing calendar
• Ensure all produced materials are properly shared internally and archived.
• 25% Oversee all aspects of AJSOCAL's email newsletter system, all lists, publishing schedule, and org-wide usage.
• Work closely with designated AJSOCAL staff with access to the system to ensure quality, voice, branding and consistency in messages.
• Create strategic use of all lists for custom messaging to targeted audiences.
• Maintain, grow and create custom press contact lists.
• Serve as Communications lead on media relations system Meltwater for research, coverage tracking, list-building and distribution.
• Ensure optimal performance of email campaigns to grow open rate, deepen readership, expand subscriber list size, minimize opt-outs.
• 15% Provide leadership in the Communications department operations.
• Create quarterly Communications exposure reports for all staff and specialized reports as needed.
• Track breaking AJSOCAL news/coverage and create timely notifications for Comms and executives as needed.
• Maintain and refine Communications' visual assets archives which includes files for photos, videos, final versions of brochures, flyers, presentations, and other external-facing materials.
• Serve as unit lead on other tools/technology/subscriptions: Meltwater, CoverageBook, Canva, Smugmug, Dropbox, Vimeo, LA Times, NY Times, etc.
• 10% Other duties.
• Participate in organization's events, fundraisers, and community activities.
• Assist Communications Director and any other duties as assigned

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color,