United Food and Commercial Workers

Campaign Communications Specialist

Based in Washington DC,
near Metro (on-site)
ufcw.org

 

Organization:
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America’s neighborhood union; standing together to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers, families and communities. Our members work primarily in the retail food, meatpacking, poultry, food processing and manufacturing and retail store industries.

Location:
Washington DC, near Metro (on-site)

SUMMARY
The Campaign Communications Specialist aids with communications initiatives that support the UFCW — including but not limited to organizing, bargaining, and political campaigns. This role will be tasked with maintaining UFCW’s brand, voice, and message in written and digital material created for various audiences — including but not limited to union members, non-union workers, general public, UFCW leadership and Local Union staff, union organizers, and outside organizations and stakeholders. The role will also provide comprehensive communications support on assigned campaigns, which will likely include various work travel assignments. This position regularly interfaces with other departments, Local Unions, and UFCW members and non-union workers. Compassion for others and a commitment to working people who want to build a better life are musts.
This position reports to the Assistant Communications Director, Campaigns and will work in our DC office. Work requires frequent travel and/or irregular or unpredictable hours.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented.

• Drafts member and public facing communications material including talking points, emails, text messages, petition language, press releases, training guides, fact sheets, flyer text, blog posts, and other materials as needed.
• Assists in administering and training for text message, email, and other digital communications platforms.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships and interfaces professionally with Local Union staff and members across the country.
• Trains members, non-union workers, and various spokespeople in public speaking as needed.
• Assists in the coordination and on-the-ground execution of rallies, press conferences, and other events for assigned campaigns across the country.
• Provides communications staff support at meetings, conferences, conventions, and other public events.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, at the UFCW’s discretion. UFCW employees function as a team and, occasionally, and on a temporary basis, employees may be required to perform tasks usually performed by others. This might occur if a team member is absent or unavailable to complete a project and the team is responsible for the deadline. Because employees are required to work as a team, you are required to step up and fill in for a team member who is absent or needs assistance from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum two to three years experience in communications, labor union and/or political field work. Experience operating mass email and text message programs.

Computer/Software Skills

• Understands digital means of communications (websites, texting, social media, email, video, etc.) and is eager to adapt to the latest trends.
• Ability to learn and operate the organization’s digital communications platforms, including email, text message, and video tools.
• Basic knowledge of print and digital design.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of photography and videography.

Communication Skills

• Exceptional listening and interpersonal skills. Must be able to establish and maintain relationships with people inside and outside the organization and work with people of different backgrounds, cultures, and literacy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to interpret abstract concepts and craft narratives in an illustrative, compelling, and reader-friendly way.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple moving parts of a comprehensive campaign plan with excellent documentation, follow through, and attention to detail, often with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to effectively prioritize multiple long and short-term project deadlines and last minute requests with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel for various work assignments, possibly frequent and/or last-minute.
• Ability to develop and provide training presentations on the organization’s communications tools and platforms.
• Must be a team player, with a positive attitude, who enjoys collaborative work environments.
• Is committed to learning and enjoys personal professional development. Self-starter, good at identifying opportunities to improve their work and the organizations’ reach.
• Must be able to exercise discretion involving the interrelationships among the International, Regional offices, Local Unions, and members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience executing or assisting with on-the-ground events and earned media.
• Training and/or customer service experience.

Job Demands
Work often is performed under stressful situations, with multiple projects occurring simultaneously under deadline. Irregular or unpredictable hours are required. Frequent and last-minute travel is necessary.

Working Conditions
Work is performed in a normal office environment and sometimes outside or at various worksites across our industries. The noise level in the work environment is from moderate to very loud.

Physical Demands
This position involves, but is not limited to, written and oral communications skills, use of computer keyboard, close vision, sitting for long periods, stooping, bending and reaching.

Compensation:
Salary Range: $59,585 - $74,632

The UFCW provides a very generous benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance provided with ability to purchase supplemental life insurance at favorable rates.
• Retirement Savings Account.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Pension plan.
• Dependent care reimbursement account program.
• Health care reimbursement account program.
• Transportation program benefits.
• Three weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid short-term sick leave, Extended Sick Leave program, paid parental leave.
• Prepaid Legal Plan (for DC/MD/VA only).

Duration:
This is a full-time position; posting closes when position is filled.

Vaccination Requirement: The UFCW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, consistent with applicable law. Any request or questions may be submitted to hrcovid@ufcw.org.

To Apply:
Submit cover letter, résumé to: humanresources@ufcw.org    

We believe our success rests on recruiting and retaining a diverse staff. UFCW is an equal opportunity employer. Woman and people of color are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to the state and federal laws.