$50,000-$60,000 per year (depending on qualifications and experience) plus benefits

Closing Date

Friday, July 19, 2013

About USCIRF

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is a bipartisan independent federal commission that monitors and seeks to advance the internationally recognized freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief and related human rights.

Established as part of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, USCIRF’s primary responsibilities are to make foreign policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress related to the status and impact of freedom of religion or belief around the world. USCIRF’s activities include disseminating information to the public and policymakers through op-editorials, press statements, and policy briefs; participating in Congressional hearings; convening public hearings and expert briefings; engaging in overseas diplomatic visits and inquiries; engaging with Administration officials, members of Congress, think tanks, and policy experts; participating in multilateral fora; and generating expert studies on critical issues. More information about USCIRF is available at www.uscirf.gov .

USCIRF is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Summary

USCIRF is seeking a Communications and Government Relations Associateto be a key member of the Government and Media Relations team. The Communications and Government Relations Associatewill support USCIRF’s activities as they relate primarily to media activities and advocacy.

Key Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Resume and supporting documents (see How to Apply)
  • Completion of a satisfactory background investigation
  • Completion of a probationary period may be required
  • Selectee must be able to meet/maintain suitability and security requirements

Duties

Reporting to the Director of Government and Media Relations, the Communications and Government Relations Associate’s primary responsibilities involve the following:

  • Managing USCIRF’s website including updating and maintaining all content;
  • Managing and enhancing USCIRF’s social media outreach, including Facebook and Twitter;
  • Managing website vendors;
  • Identifying and cultivating audiences and constituencies that benefit from and/or support USCIRF’s mission;
  • Pitching calls to media outlets as needed;
  • Monitoring USCIRF’s media and social media coverage, including receiving, coordinating, and tracking media inquiries;
  • Utilizing website analytics to improve outreach effectiveness;
  • Compiling and distributing daily press clips;
  • Assisting with development and implementation of communications strategy;
  • Assisting with writing and promoting stories, op-editorials, press releases, etc. that support USCIRF and the agency’s overall mission;
  • Strategically circulating press releases and other documents generated by USCIRF to local, regional, and national media contacts;
  • Attending Congressional hearings and other Hill events, and preparing related summaries;
  • Developing materials for advocacy activities, including, summaries of legislation and profiles of people detained for their religious freedom/human rights advocacy;
  • Monitoring and analyzing proposed and existing federal legislation and legislative activity;
  • Setting up and maintaining computer database files of contact information for members of Congress and other relevant actors;
  • Assisting with supervising Government and Media Relations interns; and
  • Providing such other assistance as requested by the Executive Director and/or Director of Government and Media Relations.

Qualifications

This position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

Minimum 3 years’ progressively responsible experience commensurate with duties outlined above, and including:

  • Experience working with the media required;
  • Experience working with Congress, or in a Congressional office preferred;
  • Experience drafting press releases, web content, and other communications materials;
  • Experience with website maintenance, or the ability to learn the necessary skills quickly;
  • Experience working with various publishing programs including Microsoft Publisher;
  • Experience working with various contact management systems (e.g., Joomla, Drupal) and email distribution programs (e.g., Cision, Lyris);
  • Ability to implement a social media strategy and experience with media outreach including Facebook and Twitter;
  • Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced setting, defining and meeting deadlines;
  • Ability to synthesize information from various sources;
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including copy editing;
  • Working knowledge of AP Style, MS Office (including Microsoft Publisher), Adobe Creative Suite, web platforms, HTML, email clients, Google Analytics (and/or other metrics tools), and other web-related skills, including digital graphic design creation helpful, but not required; and
  • Extreme attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and collegial demeanor.

How to Apply

To apply, candidates should send or fax a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample (no more than five pages; preferably a press release) to:

USCIRF

732 N. Capitol Street, NW

Suite A714

Washington, DC 20401

[email protected]

Fax: (202) 523-5020

Applications will be held in strict confidence. After submitting your application for this position, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application materials. USCIRF will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview or if we require additional information or references.

No calls please.

Evaluation of Applicants

This job is excepted from the competitive civil service. Applicants will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the relevance and quality of their experience and education and on the desired qualifications described above.

Pursuant to section 204(c) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, USCIRF staff members are hired “on the basis of professional and nonpartisan qualifications.”

Benefits

USCIRF offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, ten Federal holidays, life insurance, and medical benefits. Please visit www.opm.gov for more information on benefits.

Other Information

  • Travel expenses related to the hiring process will not be paid
  • Relocation expenses will not be paid

Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.

Reasonable Accommodation.USCIRF provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3240. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Equal Employment Opportunity. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.