Union job opening: DEPARTMENT: Public Affairs - Publications TITLE: Senior Writer

[Omaha Steve]

DEPARTMENT: Public Affairs - Publications



TITLE: Senior Writer



GRADE: II



LOCATION: Washington, D.C. (HQ)



REPORTS: Director of Publications





OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:



The AFL-CIO is seeking a versatile, outstanding writer for a range of projects, including website content, blog posts, speeches, columns and opeds, fliers and other print materials, social media communications including Facebook and Twitter, as well as some editing. The Senior Writer will be able to craft compelling stories and material across multiple platforms that will move the audience to action, based on the AFL-CIO’s policy positions and message strategies.



DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:



Conceptualize, research and write stories, blogs, speeches and a variety of advocacy and policy materials that move the audience to take action and articulate the goals, programs and direction of the AFL-CIO.

Contribute creatively to message framing, audience targeting, campaign planning, etc., as part of the Public Affairs team’s overall communications strategy.

Help shape public opinion about the AFL-CIO and unions according to the AFL-CIO’s repositioning principles.
Collaborate with programmatic departments, Media Outreach, Digital Strategies and other AFL-CIO writers and editors to conceptualize, create and revise campaign materials.

Work with affiliate unions and state and local labor councils to develop news sources, stories, features and other materials telling the story of today’s unions.

Translate complicated subject matter into compelling and engaging written work.
Edit, rewrite or over-write materials as assigned.
Use social media tools and established contacts within the traditional and progressive social media community to extend message reach and impact.
Set and meet challenging deadlines.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:



Bachelor’s degree in English or related field preferred.
Minimum of five years of progressive writing responsibility, including work for social advocacy group(s).
Strong knowledge of the labor movement and the movement for progressive social change.

Extensive experience integrating messaging in social media outreach such as Twitter and Facebook.
Established relationships in the traditional and social media communities.
Ability to exercise excellent political judgment and complete discretion.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Confidence and ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels.
Ability to collaborate and work well with staff.
Proficient research, reporting and writing skills and engaging writing style.
Demonstrated success in writing a range of online and offline advocacy materials, ranging from fast-breaking news stories to deeper features and columns or speeches for principals.
Experience writing, editing and integrating multimedia in at least one online content management system.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate sources and understand and translate nuances.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while juggling several projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to adjust tones and capture different voices for varying audiences.
Ability to work long and extended hours.





Three (3) Writing Samples Required - Must include samples of writing online and offline materials.

[rfranklin]

1. Hey, that sounds like hard work!

I want one of those goldbricking jobs I heard about!