Communications Specialist

Massachusetts Teacher Association • Quincy, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) represents over 117,000 members and nearly 400 locals across the state and employs a full-time staff of over 170. Our members are public school teachers, faculty, professional staff, and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges, and universities. As a member-driven organization and the largest union in New England, our collective power makes MTA an influential voice for educators, students, and their communities. We are proud to be an advocate for social, racial, and economic justice and for a public education system that provides one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. The Communications Specialist will assist the Director in developing and implementing the Division's programs, working closely with locals and playing a key role in public relations and media relations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Three to five years of related experience.
• Effective speaking and writing skills.
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and discretion.
• Familiarity with media relations, proofreading, copy editing, and design and production of promotional materials.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and enthusiasm.
• Evidence of ability to work effectively and cooperatively with a wide variety of groups and individuals.
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments simultaneously.
• Willingness to function as part of a team.
• Ability to, or capacity to be trained to, perform technical functions, including digital photography and, video production, and basic Web content creation.
• Strong skills in social media and other forms of digital media.
• Personal transportation; willingness to travel (generally, statewide) and work some nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Detects potential issues and events of significance to members, elected leaders, and staff, and makes appropriate recommendations for effective communications activities and programs to the Director.
• Assists in the production of the Association's major publication, MTA Today, including writing, editing and, photography.
• Identifies and responds to the communications needs of locals; assists and trains locals in the development and implementation of programs and campaigns.
• Assists the Director in coordinating relations with the media, including radio, television, cable television, and newspapers.
• Works on material for MTA websites, and provides advice, guidance, and recommendations to staff on Web materials.
• Assists elected leaders and staff in promoting special issues and events, and in conducting ongoing communications and crisis communications.
• Works closely with staff to develop appropriate internal and external communications approaches for specific programs, issues and events.
• Assists in the development, design, and preparation of organizing and membership materials, and produces documents and literature in support of the programs of other MTA divisions.
• Assists in Association political action campaigns.
• Works cooperatively with MTA staff and members at all levels.
• Writes and edits articles, reports, and bulletins for internal publications, external media purposes, and websites. Covers and reports on events and activities, as required.
• Writes press releases and coordinates interviews and public appearances, as required.
• Coordinates press conferences, news briefings, and other events.
• Takes photographs for MTA publications and websites.
• Writes speeches, and conducts related research in support of assigned tasks.
• Edits, designs, distributes, and analyzes surveys for divisions and affiliates.
• Handles sensitive and confidential e-mails and other materials with appropriate discretion for confidentiality and privacy, with appropriate updates to the Communications Director.
• Writes or edits letters to the editor and op-eds on behalf of the Association and locals.
• Responds to inquiries from print, radio, and television outlets, as required.
• Assists locals with media strategy and other communications needs, as required.
• Briefs MTA leaders, officers, and staff from other divisions on communications issues.
• Appears, as required, at forums and other events to represent the Association.
• Develops and implements responses to public relations issues, in coordination with other Division staff and the Communications Director.
• Prepares internal communications, as required, for mailings, publications, and websites.
• Provides training in communications issues to MTA locals.
• Develops materials for external communications vehicles.
• Performs other related duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level