Working Washington is hiring a Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Working Washington's mission is to build a powerful workers’ movement that can not only dramatically improve wages and working conditions, but can also change the local and national conversation about wealth, inequality, and the value of work.
 
Working Washington fast food strikers sparked the fight that won Seattle’s first-in-the-nation $15 minimum wage. We successfully drove Amazon to sever ties with the right-wing lobby group ALEC and improve conditions in their sweatshop warehouses. We helped lead the winning campaign in SeaTac for a $15 living wage. And we continue to break new ground as baristas push for a landmark secure scheduling ordinance in Seattle and our organization grows across the state.
 
We are seeking a creative and talented person to join our communications team and help build the power of workers in our state at a time when the mass media is melting away, standard approaches to communications are increasingly ineffective, and fewer and fewer people are tied in to conventional information networks.
 
The successful candidate will demonstrate talent for design & video; facility with a range of digital communications tools and tactics; a creative, experimental approach to getting the word out and changing the debate; and a strong ability to independently move projects forward.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

  • Support high-profile worker organizing & workers rights campaigns including secure scheduling and minimum wage through the use of design, video, and new digital tools.
  • Conceive, draft, and produce content for multiple channels & audiences that amplifies worker voices and helps move the debate on our issues.
  • Help dream up and execute creative new ideas for reaching supporters, influencers, and elected officials — because press releases, direct mail, and blog posts clearly aren’t enough.
  • Establish a distinct, appropriate, and consistent organizational style.
  • Contribute to Working Washington’s social media and web presence, in coordination with online organizing team.
  • Help manage technology and data systems, including some data import and data entry as needed.
  • Amplify the voices and stories of workers through multiple modes and tools, primarily digitally.
  • Quickly produce sticky & compelling work that grows our reach with key audiences.
  • Experiment with innovative and forward-thinking tools & tactics to advance our campaigns, and be ready to adjust strategies as campaigns progress.
  • Work directly with workers and community supporters as needed to fulfill campaign goals, including story collection, interviews, media prep, etc.
  • Participate directly in the political and organizing work of Working Washington, including marches, rallies, protests, actions, door-knocking, get-out-the-vote, signature gathering, and other campaign activities. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Strong video and design skills, including experience producing quick and fluid work on a variety of topics without being dull.
  • Comfort with various digital platforms & willingness to learn new tools.
  • Eagerness to amplify the voices of low-wage workers across the state, and willingness to take calculated risks when appropriate to advance our campaign.
  • Discontent with being boring.
  • Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
  • Dedication to the mission of Working Washington.
  • Strong technical skills a major plus. 

COMPENSATION:

Staff union pay scale, based on experience. Generous benefits package, including fully-paid family health care, employer matched 401k, and vacation and sick leave.
 
Submission Instructions:
Please send a résumé  and cover letter, along with one or two relevant samples of your work by July 25, 2016, to jobs@workingwa.org
 
Working Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer