Communications Coordinator

School of the Americas Watch is hiring a Communications Coordinator to be based in Washington, DC. The position is full-time with health benefits, paid vacation and holiday time. Salary is negotiable, and there are opportunities for skills development.

COORDINATE MEDIA CAMPAIGN – 25%

Develop a proactive media campaign

Update and maintain a database of Spanish- and English-language media outlets and reporters

Monitor news and respond to stories with an SOA/ WHINSEC connection

Send out news releases; host press conferences; develop messaging strategies

Pitch stories to mainstream and alternative, national and international, English and Spanish media

Field media inquiries and interview requests by either handling them or directing them to others as appropriate(including photos, background info, etc)

Provide media skills training sessions and resources for grassroots activists and assist grassroots activists in developing local media plans

Coordinate a volunteer media working group to assist with events and other ongoing media work

Facilitate the operations of a media office for each major event

Communicate relevant news info to research point person

GRASSROOTS COMMUNICATION & EDUCATION - 45%

Compose and send out mass emails to grassroots base

Maintain and update website

Coordinate production of newsletter

Update and create new flyers and educational materials

COORDINATE TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION - 10%

Coordinate volunteer translation and interpretation working group(s)

Coordinate translation of documents

Serve as staff point person for interpretation for each major event

(Re)Organize, maintain and update Spanish sections of website

Coordinate translation of website

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS- 20%

Provide staff support for major events throughout the year

Respond to ongoing telephone, mail and e-mail inquiries

Maintain listservs

Help to fill requests for speakers from grassroots organizers

Requirements: Ability to work independently and with a team in a collective organizational model. Strong oral and written communication skills. Some experience working with the media. Familiarity with HTML and web work.

People of color, women, differently-abled people and LGBT persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Strong preference for Spanish-speaking candidate. Knowledge of the School of the Americas issue and familiarity with layout design and Photoshop and Pagemaker a plus.

How to apply: Please send a resume, a writing sample of no more than 600 words, a cover letter explaining what qualities you would bring to this job and three references to Eric Le Compte at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Email or call 202-234-3440 with questions.

SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the SOA/WHINSEC and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy that places like the School of the Americas represent. We are grateful to our sisters and brothers throughout Latin America for their inspiration and the invitation to join them in their struggle for economic and social justice.