SEIU Local 32BJ

Communications Specialist

Based in Philadelphia, PA

 

ABOUT US
At the forefront of building the nation’s labor movement, 32BJ SEIU is changing the narrative around important social and economic issues facing working families. Founded in 1934, 32BJ is the largest union of property service workers in the nation. We have a powerful and important mission: To build and grow a diverse, effective, politically independent and democratic organization of workers to change our lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society for present and future generations.

With a commitment to building power for low-wage workers, 32BJ is engaged in winning strong contracts for members, organizing workers, supporting progressive candidates for elected office and moving a broad policy agenda, such as paid sick days, expanding access to health care and the Fight for $15.

The union has approximately 425 staff in sixteen offices from Boston to Miami. 32BJ SEIU represents over 175,000 property service workers including janitors, security officers, airport workers, and food service employees in 11 states and Washington, D.C. 32BJ is an affiliate of SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which has 2 million members dedicated to raising industry standards and making life better for all working families and communities.

32BJ SEIU’s headquarters are in New York City.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communications Specialist is a member of the Union’s Communications Department, responsible for external communications in Pennsylvania. Candidates should be creative thinkers, capable and skilled multi-taskers, who can utilize a range of communications tools to help advance our strategic organizing, political and contract campaigns. The Communications Specialist reports to the Regional Communications Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Working with the Regional Communications Manager to drive and execute region-wide  communications plans, including media relations and new media, and to define strategic objectives, goals and metrics;
• Initiating contact with and responding to inquiries from print, radio and television journalists; pitching story ideas and providing information to generate positive media coverage in the region;
• Building relationships with labor, immigration, political and other key media in the region;
• Writing news advisories, news releases, background pieces, message documents and other press materials for campaigns;
• Training and developing members for public speaking;
• Strategizing and implementing new media components into campaigns, including concepts for microsites, Twitter and Facebook;
• Collaborating and coordinating with other Communicators to support Department-wide work;
• Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three to five years of experience in journalism and/or communications in labor, politics or advocacy organizations;
• Outstanding writer, able to create strong press releases, message documents and other communications materials;
• Experience in working with and creating communications for union or organizational members on advocacy campaigns;
• Demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice, especially work with union members, low-wage and immigrant communities;
• Experience in strategic communications planning in large, multi-faceted organizations;
• Familiarity with new media tools and openness to expanding skills in this area;
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple priority projects and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and flexibility in approach to project assignments and planning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The position is a full-time position based in the Philadelphia, PA office.
• This position occasionally requires time outside normal business hours, including some nights and weekends.
• This position requires travel to other locations and events. A valid driver’s license and car with insurance is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This position is a full time position that occasionally requires long and irregular hours, including some nights, weekends and holidays.
• This position is largely computer/office based, with in-person and Zoom meetings. There will be some required off-site meetings and campaign activities such as rallies, bargaining meetings, hearings, marches and other events.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The salary for this role is $75,000 – $80,000. 32BJ offers a generous benefits package that includes a fully employer-paid medical, dental and vision plan (for full-time employees and their qualified dependents) and retirement benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan and 401K. 32BJ offers paid time off including three weeks’ vacation, eleven holidays, twelve sick days and, after the first year of service, four personal days. The union currently offers a remote work policy of one remote day per week at the discretion of the manager.

APPLICATION:
Please send a résumé and letter of interest to: HR@seiu32bj.org. Please use “Communications Specialist - PA” in the subject line of your email.

Please note 32BJ has implemented a vaccine mandate. Bona fide religious and ADA exemptions are permitted with additional safety measures.

32BJ is an inclusive and diverse organization, committed to advocating for social, racial and economic justice. We promote diversity and strongly encourage applications from people who believe in our mission. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.

For more information on 32BJ SEIU, visit www.seiu32bj.org.