Vermont State Employees' Association

Communications Director

Based in Montpelier, VT

 

About the Position
The VSEA Communications Director is the manager of the two-person VSEA Communications Department, which also includes the Communications Specialist position. The Department is responsible for ensuring the union’s membership is being provided with pertinent information in a timely and professional manner and that the union’s message of the day/week/month is being disseminated effectively via any one, or all, of the numerous communications vehicles available to the union.

The Director is also responsible for:

• Administering department budget, as dictated by membership.
• Writing, editing and producing materials for some of VSEA communications/public relations’ projects and campaigns. Assisting Organizing Dept. with others in progress;
• Drafting leadership correspondence, op-eds, speeches, messages to membership, etc.; 
• Drafting brochure and flyer copy, web copy, fact sheets and talking points;
• Drafting press releases and developing press kits;
• Building working relationships with members of the Vermont press corp., pitching ideas, educating on issues and sometimes providing quotes to, on behalf of the VSEA;
• Generating press around member issues and assembling press conferences, as needed;
• Monitoring the press daily, both in Vermont and nationally, for stories featuring leaders/members, stories of interest to the membership and stories that support VSEA campaigns and ideology;
• Serving as primary editor for VSEA material and correspondence, acting in a gatekeeper capacity prior to information being disseminated to membership; 
• Primary administrator of the VSEA App and creator of content for VSEA’s Facebook and Twitter pages, the VSEA website, the VSEA Week In Action and the VSEA VOICE;
• Administering the VSEA Website’s “Member-Only” section, vetting sign-up requests every other day and helping members experiencing problems;  
• Ensuring VSEA communications’ policies are being adhered to by meeting timelines dictated by them, particularly related to print and online material needs tied to union elections;
• Creating ad content for VTDigger running ad buy and other VSEA ad needs, print, online, radio and television. Includes scripting on an as-needed basis;
• Facilitating VSEA media buys on an as-needed basis;
• Assisting as VSEA photographer/videographer, and having some knowledge of editing to finalize product;
• Serving as point person for Freedom of Information requests generated by members and staff, including drafting requests, reviewing material received and deciding if there is information in there that supports a VSEA campaign, grievance, theory or something else; and 
• Serving as point person for VSEA, when members/staff need to order American- and union-made VSEA tchotchkes; 
• Other Duties as Assigned 

To Apply:
Résumé and cover letters can be sent to: vsea@vsea.org. The salary range is $85,000 to $105,000.