Position: Communications Associate

Salary: $48,000-$52,000

Type: Full-Time, Hourly Non-Exempt

Location: Los Angeles

Reports to: Communications Director and Communications Manager & Press Secretary

Application closing date: Open until filled

About Equality California and Equality California Institute:

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. For more than 20 years, Equality California has been fighting for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality in a number of ways: electing pro-equality leaders up and down the ballot; passing pro-equality legislation in California, Nevada and Washington, DC; and fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom. For the purpose of this job description, “Equality California” is used as an umbrella term for Equality California and its sister organization, Equality California Institute.

Equality California Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization that has a parallel mission to Equality California, its 501(c)(4) counterpart. Equality California Institute works to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality by reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, developing a pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders and increasing civic participation within the LGBTQ+ community.

Position Overview:

Equality California seeks a Communications Associate based in Los Angeles to support strategic communications, media relations, digital communications, and social media for the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. Reporting to both the Communications Director and Communications Manager & Press Secretary, the Communications Associate will work collaboratively with the Communications Team and other departments to advance the organization’s mission.

Responsibilities:

• Digital:
  • Develop social media content, including daily communications across Equality California and affiliates’ social media channels as well as the creation of digital toolkits for partners, board members and the community.
  • Support digital advertising and email marketing programs, including drafting and building both engagement and fundraising emails in EveryAction’s Nonprofit Software.
  • Develop creative content in collaboration with Communications Team and video, photo, design and other vendors and consultants.
  • Analyze digital metrics reports for web, social and email marketing and provide recommendations to Communications Director and Communications Manager based on analysis.
  • Monitor trends and changes in the digital landscape, social media, and in the larger political and nonprofit landscapes.
  • Help ensure consistency in EQCA’s publicity, marketing, branding, and fundraising materials.
• Earned Media:
  • Support earned media outreach for Equality California, including drafting media materials, creating press lists and making pitches via email and phone calls.
  • Assist with media requests and coordinate interviews with on-the-record spokespeople for the organization.
  • Help to expand Equality California’s reach and deepen the impact of the organization’s work by growing its network of print, digital and broadcast media contacts, with a focus on engaging outlets that target priority audiences and diverse communities.
• Management:

• Support management of Communications Team interns to ensure professional growth, including supporting a culture of performance management and coaching and providing ongoing timely and direct feedback about performance.

• • Support and staff fundraising and community events, meetings, town halls, conferences and other public events throughout the state to advance the organization’s mission.
• Representation:
  • Represent Equality California in various coalitions and partnerships working to engage the LGBTQ+ community, allies and the diverse communities to which we belong to advance full, lived LGBTQ+ equality.
  • Represent Equality California at community events, press conferences and other public events.
• Other:
  • Draft remarks, speeches, statements and talking points for Executive Director, Managing Director of External Affairs, Communications Director and other organizational spokespeople.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• At least 1-2 years of experience in strategic communications, digital and earned media.
• Experience developing social media content and managing social media channels.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with people inside and outside the organization.
• Strong administrative skills, including the ability to engage in many projects simultaneously, set priorities and manage expectations.
• Proficiency in Spanish or another language other than English preferred.
• Experience engaging with press preferred.
• Online fundraising experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Meltwater, EveryAction, ActBlue, NGP VAN, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite and other communications and digital platforms and applications strongly preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly (varies on the time of the year).

Salary range is $48,000-$52,000 and commensurate with experience. Compensation package includes competitive benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life insurance, and 401K). This full-time hourly non-exempt position will require a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work time, as well as regular travel across California and Nevada. This will also include participation in Equality California’s schedule of events, including Pride festivals, advocacy events, and more. Applicants will be reimbursed for mileage and must have a reliable vehicle and be able to drive in California.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ+ allies.

Qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and Los Angeles’s Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

To apply:

Email resume (including names and contact information of 3 references), cover letter, and two writing samples (one should include drafted social media content and/or plan if available) to jobs@eqca.org. Please be sure to put “Communications Associate” in the subject line of your email.