The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation of Florida seeks a Communications Strategist, Criminal Justice Reform. The Communications Strategist, Criminal Justice Reform works closely with the Communications Director to achieve the organization’s goal of protecting the liberties that define our democracy. This position will be located in the organization’s Tallahassee, Tampa, Jacksonville, or Orlando office and includes some travel.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a national public interest organization devoted to the defense of the Bill of Rights. For over 100 years, the ACLU has served as the nation’s primary protector of the liberties that define our democracy. The organization implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida. Operating out of four offices—Miami (main), Tampa, Pensacola, and Jacksonville—the Florida affiliate has a budget of over $8 million and 55 staff members, placing it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.
The ACLU of Florida, the state’s largest civil rights and civil liberties organization, employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional values and individual rights, such as freedom of speech, racial justice, right to privacy, religious liberty, criminal justice reform, voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, disability rights, and immigrants’ rights. The ACLU of Florida litigates a broad range of complex constitutional cases in federal and state courts through direct representation, filing amicus briefs, and submitting administrative complaints to state and federal agencies.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Communications Strategist, Criminal Justice Reform is responsible for drafting and editing owned media content including blogs, op-eds, web copy, social media content, talking points, supporter emails, facts sheets, and reports primarily for the ACLU of Florida’s Campaign for Justice. The Communications Strategist, Criminal Justice Reform will work closely with members of the Communications Department to amplify and publicize our work, educate the public, engage our base online, and influence how our issues are framed in the media.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Writing and Editing
- Draft and edit blog posts, op-eds, letters to the editor, and other press materials for the ACLU of Florida’s Campaign for Justice.
- Work with staff to help produce and edit high quality materials such as advocacy reports and fact sheets for the ACLU of Florida’s Campaign for Justice.
- Craft e-mail marketing alerts and social media language, and participate in digital strategy planning for the ACLU of Florida’s Campaign for Justice, in close collaboration with the Digital Media Associate and Digital Multimedia Strategist.
- Draft and edit other ACLU of Florida written materials as assigned by the Communications Director.
Strategy and Messaging
- Develop and maintain consistent talking points, tone, and narrative for the organization’s issue areas, specifically including criminal justice reform and criminal legal reform, to be used in organizational communications.
- Develop multi-faceted communications plans, which include goals, audience definitions, messaging, media relations strategies, use of digital platforms, and nationwide advocacy, to change hearts, minds, and laws on Campaign for Justice objectives
- Prepare clients, organizers, staff, advocates, and other spokespeople for media appearances related to the ACLU of Florida’s Campaign for Justice
- Work with messaging and research consultants to develop new narrative frames and help implement adoption of new messaging for the Campaign for Justice
- Be able to accurately and swiftly engage in rapid response moments across platforms
- Other communications projects as assigned by the Communications Director.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3 to 5 years of professional experience in writing, formulating copy, and editing
- Excellent oral, written, and editing skills, including ability to draft materials on a wide range of topics in a timely manner.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage projects from inception through execution.
- Proven experience working on issue-based advocacy and public awareness campaigns, and in communicating complex issues to a variety of targeted audiences.
- Experience creating website, email and social media content.
- Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands.
- Proven experience in exercising judgment in breaking news and rapid response environments
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Associated Press style required
- Strong commitment to racial and social justice.
- Fluency in Spanish or Creole preferred, but not required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience writing about and creating content around restorative justice and criminal justice reform initiatives
- Experience with the legislative process, political strategic planning, ballot measure campaigns, field organizing, and/or impact litigation as a public policy tool is a plus.
Compensation will be commensurate with experience, within the range of $55,000 – 75,000. The ACLU of Florida provides excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance with generous vacation, holiday and sick leave policies, as well as a Defined Contribution 401K Retirement Plan. Base vacation leave is five weeks per year.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please send cover letter and resume by email to [email protected]. All inquiries should include Communications Strategist, Criminal Justice Reform. in the subject line and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Florida reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ACLU of FL, is currently working remotely.
The ACLU of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Florida encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. We encourage formerly incarcerated individuals to apply. If selected for an interview, please inquire if financial assistance is needed in order to attend.
The ACLU of Florida undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.