Advocacy Communications Specialist

Job Description

Application:

• Submit an MEA application (https://mea.org/about-us/employment/) to the following email: jobpostings@mea.org
• Submit a resume

JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking an Advocacy Communications Specialist to work as part of our Communications and Public Engagement team to grow and strengthen member activism in the areas of legislative and political advocacy. The ideal candidate will be responsible for using various communications and organizing tactics to expand MEA’s influence on state and local level policymaking, using both traditional and innovative methods to drive positive outcomes for Michigan students and educators. The role requires strategic thinking, creativity, and excellent communication skills to enhance MEA’s role as a statewide leader on education and labor issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use member communications, including email, social media, newsletters and other tools, to encourage member outreach to lawmakers, voting and volunteering for pro-public education candidates and issues, and donations to MEA’s political action committee.

• Identify, recruit, train and organize member activists to provide grassroots leadership on lobbying calls to action, screening & recommending candidates running for office, and running local PAC fundraising drives.

• Monitor, quantify, test and modify advocacy campaigns to learn from experience and replicate best practices, including training MEA members, leaders and staff.

• Identify and engage with lawmakers, influencers and advocates to expand MEA reach and engagement around education and labor issues.

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and accuracy in all communications and content.

• Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions for new campaigns and initiatives.

• Assist with other legislative, political and communications tasks and projects as needed.

JOB DUTIES:

• Craft communications to engage members in legislative/political advocacy and issue organizing aimed toward short-term objectives and long-term education/labor policy improvement.

• Collaborate with MEA lobbyists and communications staff to develop messaging around key legislative priorities for use with members, the public and lawmakers.

• Develop tactics and tools to engage members, with an emphasis on member engagement and turning online advocacy into offline, in-person action.

• Support lobbyists and political organizers with day-to-day activities as needed, including serving as a registered MEA lobbyist and an organizer for member legislative and political actions.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Communications or a related field or proven related experience.

• Demonstrated successful experience (at least three years) in lobbying/legislative advocacy, political/issue organizing, or public affairs/communications work.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience working with political organizing tools, including but not limited to member/voter data systems and online advocacy systems.

• Experience working with communications tools, including but not limited to e-mail marketing, social media, text messaging and other platforms.

• Proven ability to develop detailed work plans, strategize around issues and communicate those strategies to internal and external audiences.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Travel required-satisfactory driving record and valid driver’s license.