SEIU Local 32BJ

Bilingual Communications Specialist     

Based out of Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; or Stamford, CT Office

 

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. As the largest union in the country, 32BJ SEIU represents over 175,000 property service workers including cleaners, apartment building workers, security officers, airport workers, schools, and food service employees in 12 states and Washington, DC.

Our mission is to build and grow a diverse, effective, and politically independent organization of workers to change lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society for present and future generations. Headquartered in New York City, our members have fought for and achieved high standards including paid sick days, expanding access to health care, and the Fight for $15; and we continue to fight for higher standards for thousands of not yet organized service workers. We are committed to engaging our diverse membership and to developing members to lead in our organizing, political, social justice, and contract campaigns.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communications Specialist will plan and execute all forms of communication to advance the contract, organizing, and political goals of the union’s 615 (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) and Connecticut Districts and 32BJ as a whole.

The Communications Specialist is a member of the Union’s communications team, responsible for external communications across the state of Connecticut and provide support as needed for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Candidates should be creative thinkers and skilled multi-taskers who can utilize a range of communications tools to help advance our organizing, political and contract campaigns. Candidates should be independently driven team players able to work out of the office in either Hartford or Stamford. Preferred candidates will have a deep knowledge of Connecticut media and strong relationships with local reporters Candidates should have strong language skills in both Spanish and English, as the position requires outreach to multilingual press outlets and members/workers. The Communications Specialist reports to the Regional Communications Manager based in Boston.

Responsibilities include:

• Planning and executing communications strategies to support district campaigns; collaborating on the development and execution of union-wide campaigns; initiating rapid-response communications in consultation with district leadership.
• Building relationships with reporters who cover labor, immigration, politics and social justice issues in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut and others within the region.
• Writing and blasting media advisories and releases, preparing background and messaging documents, and developing other press materials.
• Writing and delivering story pitches to individual outlets and reporters.
• Planning, writing and submitting op-ed articles and letters to the editor in collaboration with members, allies and/or union officers.
• Planning and executing media events in conjunction with other union staff.
• Preparing speeches, talking points, legislative testimony and public presentations for union spokespeople, elected officials, and allies, and developing them as effective spokespeople for media interviews, speeches, public testimony and other occasions.
• Selecting and managing freelance photographers, graphic designers and other consultants for projects as needed.
• Planning, budgeting, and executing paid media campaigns on all platforms.
• Developing digital media plans, producing graphic and written content, posting on the union’s social media sites and other avenues for digital communication.
• Utilizing digital applications to collect media clips, monitor stories, create graphics, blast communications, develop contacts, manage campaign websites, and perform other duties.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of three years’ experience in the field of journalism, or in communications in labor, political or advocacy organizations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required – both verbal and written fluency.
  • Multi-lingual including Albanian, Polish, French/Haitian Creole, or Chinese a definite plus.
• Outstanding writing skills, with an ability to digest everything from worker’s personal stories to complex legal issues and deliver them in clear powerful prose, appropriately shaped for numerous formats (e.g. speeches, social media memes, press releases, op-eds, media pitches, etc.).
• Familiarity with digital media tools and openness to expanding skills in this area.
• Demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice, especially with union members, low-wage workers, immigrants, and other communities supported by the union’s mission.
• Ability to work independently, coordinate with teammates, handle multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Experience creating communications for union or advocacy organizations preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This full-time position is based in either the Boston, Massachusetts, Hartford, Connecticut or Stamford, Connecticut office, with the option to work in either Massachusetts or Connecticut.
• This position requires travel to other locations and events, including worksites, indoor and outdoor rallies, member meetings, and some extended out-of-state gatherings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position 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 regular campaign activities such as bargaining meetings, hearings, outdoor rallies and marches, and other events.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary for this role is $75,000- $80,000. 32BJ provides a benefits package that includes employer-paid medical, dental and vision plans, for full-time employees and their qualified dependents) and retirement benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan and 401k. 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 –MA/ CT” in the Subject line of your email.

Please note 32BJ has implemented a vaccine mandate. Bona fide religious and medical 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 seiu32bj.org.