Policy and Communications Associate

RAPP seeks a passionate and experienced Policy and Communications Associate. The position will center supporting RAPP’s legislative advocacy campaigns. The Policy and Communications Associate will work closely with RAPP’s Policy and Communications Director, Policy and Communications Consultant, Regional Community Organizers and Community Leaders.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Help lead the policy and communications work associated with RAPP’s issue-based campaigns. While the primary campaign will be the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice, the Policy and Communications Associate will assist with RAPP’s other campaigns, too.
• Play a leading role in the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice steering committee, including creating agendas, facilitating meetings, taking notes, leading working groups, and doing follow up work after meetings.
• Maintain and grow relationships with lawmakers and legislative staff
• Work with RAPP’s regional organizers and community leaders to mobilize RAPP members and partners for campaign canvasses in the community and mobilizations at the State Capitol in Albany.
• Work with RAPP’s regional organizers to put on film screenings, town halls and other community events to recruit new New York State residents in important legislative districts to support RAPP’s campaigns.
• Work with RAPP’s regional organizers to grow our coalition of support for parole justice and other campaigns
• Create and publish media materials, including press releases, media advisories, statements, press packets, messaging materials, reports, and social media posts.
• Develop and pitch media story ideas to media outlets and prepare RAPP members and leaders for press interviews.
• Work with RAPP members and leaders to draft press quotes and statements.
• Assist in the creation of advocacy materials, including one pagers, infographics, and flyers.
• Assist in and lead strategy discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Assist in and lead media and legislative advocacy trainings for RAPP staff, leaders, members, and partners.
• Assist with social media management, including tracking local, state and national trends, what people and groups RAPP is connected to are posting, and more.

Qualifications:

• A deep belief in RAPP’s values that embrace the humanity of all people across identities and experiences.
• A passion for and working knowledge of social justice, legislative advocacy, and structural change.
• Direct personal experience with the criminal legal system is valued and strongly preferred.
• A strong desire and ability to work well with others.
• A deep patience and love for working with people with various abilities and needs.
• Strong people skills, including around mediating conflict, facilitating meetings, and leading large groups of people in person and on zoom. Strong skill at listening.
• A strong writing ability.
• Some technology skills, including proficiency with phone, text, email, computer, printer, Google documents, Google sheets, Google calendar, Google groups, and zoom.
• A deep drive to create change and an ability to push through challenging political adversity.
• An ability to work and lead independently.
• An ability to problem solve and seek solutions to time-sensitive issues.
• An ability and desire to empower RAPP members and leaders to lead.
• An ability to be consistently present and, as needed, to clearly and efficiently communicate when personal issues arise that require time off or other work adjustments.
• Strong organizational skills, including scheduling and to-do lists.
• A willingness to work non-traditional hours, including some evenings and weekends as needed, particularly during the Legislative Session (January through June).
• A willingness to work at the NY State Capitol in Albany at least two days per week, January through June, when the state legislature is in session.
• 1-3 years experience working on legislative advocacy and legislative campaign media efforts. Work experience in New York State and at the state government level is preferred.
• The person must be a resident of New York State.
• The person must have a valid driver’s license and access to a car.
• The person must be willing, able, and comfortable driving, including on highways and local roads.