Communications and Policy Specialist

PLEASE READ APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS BELOW - INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED

WHO WE ARE:

The Children’s League of Massachusetts (CLM) is a statewide non-profit association of child and family service organizations and champions that collectively advocate for public policies and quality services that are in the best interest of the Commonwealth’s children, youth, and families. It is through public education and advocacy that CLM promotes the availability, accessibility, and quality of these needed services.

As providers, consumers, advocates, purchasers and regulators of services, CLM members know firsthand the issues facing today’s children and youth, as well as the challenges inherent in addressing them. During this time of major shifts in the delivery and funding of children, youth, and family services, CLM serves as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among members, a vehicle for keeping the focus on the needs of children, youth, and their families, and a powerful source of common action.

CLM works independently and in coalition around these critical areas to advance public policy by developing needed legislation, analyzing the state budget as it affects children and families, and promoting evidence-based best practices. CLM also works to educate both the public and policy-makers about national trends and pressing state-wide issues regarding the child welfare system. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and in our organizational priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Communications and Public Policy Specialist will work with the CLM team to advance CLM’s public policy agenda and raise the public profile of CLM and its members primarily via Communications channels. This position will require the ability to build and sustain relationships with CLM’s membership, CLM partner organizations, and others. The successful candidate will have superior written communication skills and an interest in researching, writing about, and promoting issues that affect children and families, specifically those related to child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile justice.

Essential Responsibilities:

Communications

• Collaborate with Executive Director and staff to develop and implement a communication strategy to raise CLM’s public profile and advance CLM’s public policy goals.
• Oversee CLM’s social media accounts and collaborate with other staff to regularly post important news and actions items.
• Be responsible for creating and distributing regular member newsletters and Friends of CLM newsletters, with input from staff.
• Maintain the website to ensure timely updates on advocacy, job postings from members, latest news and other relevant information.
• Design invitations, event flyers, reports, notices for member meetings and other CLM events, and other public-facing materials.
• Support management of CLM's calendar of events, listing conferences, events, workshops, and other meetings hosted by members including job openings and other postings as needed.

Policy Support

• Contribute to the research, development, analysis, and implementation of CLM’s policy and state budget agenda;
• Support development and dissemination of written materials, including legislation, research briefs, memos, white papers, fact sheets, presentations, and other materials as needed.
• Participate in coalition and task force meetings, policy briefings, conferences, and other events related to CLM’s policy agenda.
• Attend legislative and administrative hearings related to CLM’s policy agenda and other hearings as needed.
• Support execution of meetings and events of the CLM coalitions and task forces.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO EXCEL IN THIS POSITION:

• A Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public policy, public health, or other relevant area of study is ideal. A degree may also be substituted by 3+ years of demonstrated and relevant work experience in one or more of the above arenas.
• 2-3 years of work experience in communications, policy, customer relations, or a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with marketing campaigns on social media.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multitask while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• Experience or proficiency using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, as well as Constant Contact, WordPress and social media platforms. Experience with Canva is preferred but not required.
• Access to reliable transportation and be able to travel to occasional events around the state not located on public transportation.
• Some knowledge of the state legislative and budget processes is preferred but not required.

WHAT THIS POSITION OFFERS:

• This is a full-time (40 hour/week) exempt position, FSLA exempt
• Annual salary range of $55,000 – $65,000, commensurate with experience.
• Reports to the Director of Public Policy
• Collaborative work environment committed to ensuring a safe workplace free from harassment or violence
• 503(B) retirement plan with organizational match up to 3%
• Health & Dental Insurance, covered at 75% for individuals & 33% for families
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• Professional development investments
• Remote working flexibility; occasional work in person in our Boston office (MBTA-accessible) and in other locations around Massachusetts is required.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

CLM is committed to hiring an individual with the right mix of communications and policy experience (traditional and nontraditional), commitment to improving the lives of children and families via public policy, and the potential to grow with the organization. As an equal opportunity employer, CLM strongly encourages individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities or identities to apply. These include, but are not limited to: people of color, immigrants, women, individuals across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, and those with disabilities. CLM will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit a cover letter, resume, three references, two writing samples (3-5 pages max, 1 could be a graphic design example) and two social media examples as a single PDF document via Indeed platform or via email to Jasmin-Anne Ryals jasminanne@childrensleague.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Did you include a cover letter with your application?
• Did you include 2 writing samples with your application?
• Did you include 2 social media examples with your application?

Ability to Relocate:

• Boston, MA 02115: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Boston, MA 02115