Communications Organizer - Statewide Media

General Description
The California Teachers Association (CTA) is a union of 310,000 educators across California, including K-12 and higher education educators. CTA’s mission is to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education for all students; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children, youth and adults are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.

The Communications Organizer develops communication strategies, tools, tactics, and trainings for CTA members and supports local chapter campaigns. This role requires a strong understanding of unions and the labor movement and how to advance our mission through a variety of communication channels and tools including but not limited to earned media and press strategy for local, statewide and national media, email, social media, and more.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work under the direction of the Communications Manager.
• Primary point of contact on statewide earned media strategy including developing and maintaining ongoing relationships with journalists.
• Respond to media inquiries, pitch stories, and manage press events.
• Write news releases, pitch notes, background pieces, advisories, op-eds, fact sheets and other news-related materials.
• Prepare union members and leaders at all levels for interviews, including TV, radio, print, and other public appearances.
• Train and advise union members and staff on communications strategies, earned media, and interview preparation.
• Create and review messages and communications content across digital platforms and print publications to ensure consistency and message discipline across the union.
• Utilize digital advocacy tools and tactics to advance organizing, bargaining, and political campaigns.
• Support CTA chapters with communications strategy and crisis communications.
• Prepare and provide talking points and speeches for leaders.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in communications-related field preferred.
• Skill and experience in working with journalists in traditional and crisis communications.
• Knowledge of California statewide media landscape and journalists covering politics, public education, and labor.
• Strong writing skills and experience as an advocacy writer.
• Experience developing campaign messaging across digital, print and earned media.
• Skilled in using social media and digital communications to pitch news stories and monitor coverage and trends.
• Ability to work on several projects at a time, under pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Extensive experience leading communications strategy in high stakes, fast moving situations, including strikes, direct actions, and political campaigns.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as individually.
• Deep understanding of the issues facing the public schools and the education profession.
• Experience in fast-paced campaigns situations, including contract campaigns, strikes and political campaigns.
• Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice; worker's rights; and a well-funded public education system.
• Adaptable and flexible. Able to adjust seamlessly and effectively to changing factors and conditions that impact CTA campaigns, projects and other union programs.
• Experience in organizing and campaigning, with relentless drive to proactively surpass campaign/program goals under pressure and with the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly changing environment.
• Experience working with coalition partners on high profile labor and governmental matters and campaigns.
• Ability to research and fact check data and materials for internal and external communications.
• Proficiency with Windows PC environment, Microsoft Office, and media databases; Meltwater, Canva, and Salesforce a plus.
• Understanding of membership-based organizations and unions.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
• Ability to work and travel regularly, including evenings and weekends.
• Ideal candidate will be a self-starter, resourceful and highly motivated.

*This position is in a bargaining unit represented by CSO. Salaries are established by a collective bargaining agreement. Step placement is also determined by the CTA/CSO Agreement.