Outreach and Communications Coordinator

Boston, MA, USA
Posted on  

Job Description

The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) charity with a worldwide mission to protect computer user freedom, seeks a motivated and talented individual, if possible Boston-based, to be our full-time outreach and communications coordinator.


Reporting to the executive director, the outreach and communications coordinator works closely with our campaigns, licensing, technical, and operations teams to plan, write, edit, publish, and promote high-quality, effective materials, both digital and printed. Nearly every publication from the FSF goes through this public-facing position, tying together our work across various constituencies. The outreach and communications coordinator also plays an integral role in the FSF's membership and overall development programs. Examples of job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:


* Stewarding the online publication and editing process for all departments, including copy editing, formatting, posting, maintaining materials on our websites, and sending out email messages to our contact lists;

* Producing and improving our monthly email newsletter, the Free Software Supporter;

* Editing and building materials like our biannual printed Bulletin and our annual report;

* Promoting our work and the work of others in the area of computer user freedom on social media platforms;

* Writing articles and contributing to audio-video materials;

* Helping to produce fundraising materials and assisting with our fundraising drives, including helping to staff our fundraising and membership program;

* Cultivating the LibrePlanet community, by means of the wiki, coordinating with local groups, as well as networking with speakers and potential audiences for our annual conference;

* Recruiting and coordinating volunteers, translators, and interns in order to assist with membership, fundraising, campaigns, and/or operations tasks; and

* Managing a press list, press releases, and other materials and distribute to media, stakeholders, and community partners.


The position's job functions are rooted in a mix of external outreach, project management, writing, substantive copy editing, as well as contact database management and direct mail. Ideal candidates are creative multitaskers that have at least one to three years of work experience in copy editing, writing, outreach, and free software; proficiency and comfort with professional writing and publications preferred. They have a general interest and desire to continuously develop knowledge of the technical, philosophical, and licensing aspects of software freedom.


Because the FSF works globally and seeks to have our materials distributed in as many languages as possible, multilingual candidates will have an advantage. With our small staff of eleven, each person makes a clear contribution. We work hard, but offer a humane and fun work environment at an office located in the heart of downtown Boston. The FSF is a mature but growing organization that provides great potential for advancement; existing staff get the first chance at any new job openings.


## Benefits and salary


This job is a union position. The salary is fixed at $64,168/year* and is non-negotiable, but is still due for adjustment for COLA 2023. Other benefits include the following:


* Full individual or family health coverage through Blue Cross/Blue Shield's HMO Blue program;

* Subsidized dental plan;

* Four weeks of paid vacation annually;

* Seventeen paid holidays annually;

* Public transit commuting cost reimbursement;

* 403(b) program through TIAA with employer match;

* Yearly cost-of-living pay increases based on government guidelines (typically distributed in late January, retroactive to January 1);

* Healthcare expense reimbursement budget;

* Ergonomic budget;

* Relocation (to Boston area) expense reimbursement;

* Conference travel and professional development opportunities; and

* Potential for an annual performance bonus.


## Application instructions


Applications must be submitted via email to hiring@fsf.org. The email must contain the subject line "Outreach and communications coordinator". A complete application should include:


* Cover letter;

* Resume; and

* Two recent writing samples;

* Two or more edits you would suggest to this job posting;

* Links to published works online (optional); and

* Three professional references.All materials must be in a free format (such as plain text, PDF, or OpenDocument). Email submissions that do not follow these instructions will probably be overlooked. No phone calls, please.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To guarantee consideration, submit your application by February 5, 2024.


The FSF is an equal-opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or application for employment on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law. We value diversity in our workplace.


## About the Free Software Foundation


The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software -- particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants -- and free documentation for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites, located at fsf.org and gnu.org, are an important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's work can be made at https://donate.fsf.org. Its headquarters are in Boston, MA, USA.