TO APPLY: Applicants for this position should submit a resume, list of references, and a cover letter that best expresses their interest and unique qualifications. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled.
Summary
The Staff Writer plays a key role in advancing ACLUM’s external messaging, advocacy, and fundraising objectives. The focus of this role is to develop written content to engage external stakeholders with ACLUM work and priority issues, including web content for campaigns, emails for member engagement, and funding proposals and grant reports. This position reports to the Senior Communications Strategist; spends approximately 25% of time on work assigned by the Deputy Development Director for Strategic Partnerships; and works closely with other ACLUM colleagues to achieve departmental and organizational objectives.
The ideal candidate for this position brings experience writing clear and concise copy that is on-brand and on-message; enjoys researching, analyzing, and synthesizing complex issues for a wide audience; and is comfortable producing copy on deadline, in breaking news settings, and during rapid response moments. Strong candidates will have demonstrated the ability to produce and edit narrative writing that is persuasive, issue-driven, and compels people to action.
Essential Duties
Digital and Multimedia Content
- Write, edit, and finalize original content for ACLUM’s primary public-facing website and campaign-specific microsites in collaboration with the Communications, Advocacy, and Legal departments and programs.
- Write, edit, and finalize advocacy-related emails, action alerts for web posting, and other digital content to spur ACLU members and supporters to take action in support of ACLUM’s local and statewide field advocacy, legislative, and fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with other Communications staff to create other content for ACLUM’s digital channels, including developing scripts for multimedia projects and supporting social media copywriting, as needed.
Grant Writing and Development Support
- Produce grant submissions for ACLU of Massachusetts Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with the Development department.
- Produce grant reports in support of various operating and program-specific needs.
- Write and edit donor and member-targeted collateral as needed, including fundraising appeal letters, and ACLUM’s annual Action Report.
Public Advocacy and Campaign Content
- Produce written content for various ACLUM programs and campaigns, including one-pagers, fact sheets, and other informational pieces, in collaboration with ACLUM’s advocacy departments and programs.
- Collaborate with the Senior Communications Strategist to ensure strategic alignment and consistent messaging for public-facing materials across the organization.
Other Responsibilities
- Special projects and other tasks as assigned by the Communications Director.
Qualifications, Experience and Attributes
- Minimum of three years’ professional experience in a high-volume media or content production environment, preferably in the fields of media/ public relations, communications or journalism. Experience in speech writing highly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or related field with significant writing requirements preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of ACLU priority issues a plus.
- Exceptional experience producing high quality collateral, synthesizing complex information into clear, concise and persuasive written content.
- Meticulous in fact-checking, copy editing and proofreading to ensure accuracy and consistency with AP style guidelines.
- Creative with the ability to adapt writing style, tone, and format, as required to reach various audiences.
- Highly organized, with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks for a variety of projects simultaneously and work well against tight delivery timeframes.
- Strong proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- Strong interpersonal skills and track record of working effectively with colleagues at all organization levels, and with external partners.
- Strong belief in the ACLU’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion. Respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic background.
Key Performance Indicators
- Timeliness in delivery of written content across various platforms
- Capable development of high-quality communications, marketing, and development collateral for assigned issue areas/ campaigns
- Accuracy and consistency in fact-checking, copy editing, proofreading, and alignment with AP style guidelines
- Effectiveness and quality of grant submissions and reports
- Effectiveness in coordination and communication with the department, other ACLUM colleagues, and external partners
Other Requirements
- Frequent written and verbal communication.
- Extensive reading, preparing and analyzing information, in hard copy and electronic format.
- Frequent and extended periods of being in a stationary position.
- Flexibility to accommodate work outside of regular business hours when warranted, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with ACLUM’s collective bargaining agreement. Estimated minimum salary of $70,000. Benefits include 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, and paid vacation and holidays. Reimbursement for mileage may be provided in accordance with ACLUM policies, when applicable.
About the ACLU of Massachusetts
The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through strategies of litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, we strengthen and expand public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights (including equal marriage), women's rights, criminal justice issues, equal opportunity, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students' rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights. ACLUM staff are unionized and this position will be within the bargaining unit.
ACLUM is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, queer people, and formerly incarcerated people to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This position will be based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation.