Digital Communications Intern

JOB SUMMARY:

The Digital Communications Intern (DCI) will help develop and implement the digital and social media communication strategy and efforts of The Salvation Army National Headquarters, and assists with the creation and appropriate distribution of the digital and social media elements of all internal and external communications initiatives for National Headquarters.

Uses all forms of communication (print, electronic, photo and video) to aid the national communications team to effectively communicate the mission of The Salvation Army internally and externally, and to achieve the three digital communications objectives of The Salvation Army national headquarters: increase fundraising, build and protect The Salvation Army’s brand, and meet human needs.

Assists in the planning, development, and implementation of the digital strategy, including Moments in Time, the national Red Kettle Campaign, and any public policy, emergency disaster service, or other national public relations or communications efforts, and subsequent content that will appear on the national website and social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Works directly with the NCRD communications team and the Agency Of Record (AOR) to coordinate content creation and scheduling, and to ensure all digital content meets the digital communications objectives of The Salvation Army National Headquarters.

Assists in the creation of all content and digital assets for national website and social media pages, including written content for the national blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, to accomplish the digital communications goals of National Headquarters.

Works with Salvation Army communications professionals in the field to coordinate these efforts with appropriate local teams.

Engages with online audiences via social media platforms to increase fundraising, build and protect the reputation of The Salvation Army, and meet human needs.

Works with the communications team to identify new strategies to increase digital audience engagement and build digital brand advocates.

Assists the Communications Manager in monitoring and measuring The Salvation Army’s social media presence and audience engagement, analyzes content trends and relevant issues, and plans future content accordingly.

Actively engages with journalists, policy makers, social media influencers, and organizational peers to build brand recognition on social media and increase thought leadership.

Maintains consistent strategy and implementation of peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities on social media, and coordinates these efforts with the NCRD digital fundraising team, NCRD communications team, and AOR.

Assists with coordinating and conducting appropriate research, composing, proofreading and editing original, journalistic quality feature stories covering Salvation Army services and/or human-interest topics for regular updates on the NHQ national newsroom, and provides appropriate content for use as syndicated material for the field

Composes, prepares, types, proofreads, and/or edits a wide variety of written communications including that of a confidential nature; ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the same, including meeting tight deadlines.

Follows organizational style guide on all materials and communications

Works with the Communications Manager to research, compile, summarize information, and develop reports and correspondence for routine and special projects resulting from public inquiries, NHQ and Territorial needs, and NCRD assigned writing assignments.

Assists as assigned in the maintenance and content enrichment of the Red Shield Tool Kit.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Preferred applicants should be enrolled in a Communications, Public Relations Bachelor’s, or similar program, and eligible for college credit. Recent graduates are also eligible.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Excellent journalistic quality research and writing talent, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, proofreading and editing skills

Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office365 (primarily Word and PowerPoint), Photoshop, and Content Management Systems

A working knowledge of print, electronic and web publishing procedures

Knowledge and proficiency in online communications, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube

Ability to learn and retain the broad scope of all NHQ section operations and services in order to serve as an effective information resource and to aid in a timely and effective manner.

Ability to effectively and efficiently work on multiple deadline projects at the same time without becoming frustrated or disorganized.

Ability to gather, compile, and assemble information into a final professional appearance product for letters, records, reports, etc.

Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work in order to accomplish work in compliance with quality standards and deadlines.

Ability to determine the most effective and efficient method to accomplish work objectives and goals and to work under minimal supervision.

Summer Internship Duration: May 12 - July 25