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The Permanent Commission is Hiring a Communications Coordinator!

Position Description: 

The Communications Coordinator at the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations (Permanent Commission) will lead the communications work related to the Permanent Commission’s statutory mandate  to advise and consult with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government about the status of historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations and strategies to improve that status. 

The Communications Coordinator will develop and implement the Permanent Commission’s broad-reaching communication strategy to support the agency’s goal of  reducing racial disparities in all sixteen counties. It requires a high degree of collaboration with all relevant Permanent Commission staff and Commissioners, state agencies, and external organizations.

The position reports to the Executive Director.

 

Responsibilities

Develop overall communications strategy

  • Develop and implement the Permanent Commission’s comprehensive communications strategy  to advance the objectives of improving opportunities and eliminating disparities for historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations in the State of Maine, including:
    • Development of targeted messaging for a wide range of audiences, inclusive of government officials, legislators, community partners, press, and Maine residents.
    • Identification of strategies and best practices on effective communication about challenging topics related to race, racism, and disproportionate impacts of policies and programs.
    • Facilitation of media and communication training for Commissioners and staff.
  • Develop and implement the Permanent Commission’s communications work plan for each fiscal year and ensure it is accomplished in a timely and efficient manner, delegating tasks where appropriate.

Lead communications strategy implementation

  • Implement the communications strategy and work plan to build awareness and knowledge of the Permanent Commission and its work, to include:
    • An annual program of intentional and scheduled messaging to the Permanent Commission’s stakeholders and interested parties
    • Creation, management, and training on Permanent Commission talking points, both related to general Permanent Commission business and specific issues, as needed.
    • Preparing the Permanent Commission’s annual report to the Governor and the Legislature
    • Promoting activities, programs, and initiatives designed to meet the problems faced by historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous, and tribal populations
    • Regular review and updates to the Permanent Commission website, based on community need.
    • Creation and management of an email newsletter and other associated communications.
    • Manage and grow the Permanent Commission’s social media presence, including monitoring and responding to analytics.
    • Creation, maintenance, and training on a house-style for all Permanent Commission communications, to incorporate best practices for accessibility.
    • Drafting articles and  opinion pieces to be submitted to the press, on behalf of Commissioners and staff.

Manage Permanent Commission communication needs

  • Provide cross-cutting guidance to the Permanent Commission and its Committees to ensure consistency in communication content and style, including:
    • Policy: Reviewing and editing Legislative testimony, Permanent Commission reports to the Legislature, and other written materials to ensure consistency of messaging and alignment with overall communications strategy.
    • Research: Providing input into dissemination strategies of Permanent Commission research, including ensuring the content is tailored to the intended audiences.
    • Community engagement: Designing all branding and promotional materials to support events.
  • Managing all communication with the press on behalf of the Permanent Commission, including developing and maintaining relationships, preparing and submitting statements, drafting and distributing press releases, and facilitating interviews.
  • Monitor national, state, and local media reporting relevant to the Permanent Commission and its work.

Miscellaneous

  • Manage, mentor, and support Permanent Commission Fellows and Interns undertaking communications work.
  • Advise and provide technical support to the Executive Director, Permanent Commission staff, and the full Permanent Commission and its Committees on communication strategies and talking points relevant to projects or initiatives.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, your background must include a 7 year combination of education and experience in marketing, communications, or a related field. 

 

Additional Attributes of Strong Candidates: 

  • An understanding of issues related to racial, Indigenous, and/or tribal populations, through lived and/or professional experience. 
  • Experience or understanding of the Maine State Legislature.
  • Strong ties to a marginalized community 
  • Strong relationship building skills, especially with BIPOC communities, press, state government actors, community partners, and others. 
  • Ability to remain non-partisan.
  • Excellent project management skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, ideally developed in a public policy context.
  • Ability to multitask, work independently, take initiative, be flexible, and problem solve. 
  • Demonstrated experience of working collaboratively with a range of internal and external partners.
  • Exhibits the Permanent Commission’s cultural values of teamwork, responsibility, accountability, excellence, openness, and balance. 

 

Contact: 

Questions about the position should be directed to Hunter Cropsey at hunter.cropsey@maine.gov. 

Application Instructions: 

Apply online at: https://mainebhr.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0v3en/