Communications Associate Jobs in Louisiana (NOW HIRING)

Invest in Louisiana is an independent, 501c(3) nonprofit research and advocacy organization that monitors and reports on policies that affect low- to moderate-income Louisianans. We work collaboratively with communities and partner organizations to inform policy debates across a wide range of areas – including state budget and revenue, healthcare, criminal justice and social and economic issues – with an eye to reducing poverty, promoting racial equity and widespread economic prosperity that allows all Louisianans - regardless of their age, race, income, ZIP code or job status - to reach their highest potential.

In Louisiana, nearly 1 in 6 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are not plugged into work or school. We call this population Opportunity Youth. The Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance (LOYAL) - a coalition led by Invest in Louisiana - tells the stories of opportunity youth with an eye toward public policy solutions. This position supports both Invest in Louisiana and LOYAL work.

Position Overview: State policies play a critical role in eliminating racial barriers and ensuring that people with low- and moderate-incomes have the tools and support they need to reach their full potential. Invest in Louisiana uses research, communications and outreach to advocate for public policies that eliminate racial barriers and produce a more just and inclusive economy. 

We are hiring for this position at either the Associate (Classification Level I) or Manager (Classification Level II) level. The level at which the successful candidate is hired will depend on qualifications, experience and demonstrated competencies.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Accommodations are also made pursuant to the organization’s collective bargaining agreement.

Communications Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Communications and policy and advocacy teams to develop digital content strategy for Invest in Louisiana and LOYAL communication efforts. 
• Create graphic, video, and story content for online and social media channels, including, but not limited to: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, ensuring brand consistency and tone of voice.
• Work with the Director of Communications and policy and advocacy teams to distill complex policy topics into clear and compelling content for a general audience.
• Track digital communications and outreach activities for reporting and strategic refinement.

Strategic Planning & Internal Collaboration

• Participate in internal planning meetings, team coordination sessions and organizational development efforts. 
• Contribute subject-matter insights to organization’s strategic initiatives, special projects and grant proposals as needed. 
• Help foster and maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals with regards to diversity, which may include geography, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, gender or age. 

Grant & Funder Engagement 

• In consultation with supervisor, share progress on grant-related activities through written updates, meetings with funders or consultants or other means as needed.
• In consultation with supervisor, develop and maintain familiarity with the objectives and deliverables tied to grant-funded projects relevant to policy area. 

This job description is designed to outline the primary duties, qualifications, and job scope for this particular position, but does not limit the employee or Invest in Louisiana to only the work identified herein. It is our hope and expectation that employees will offer their services, experiences, ideas, and innovation as necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

Education, Experience & Qualifications

• Mastery of digital communications tools, with multimedia clips to prove it. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience synthesizing and presenting information for varied audiences. 
• Able to tell impactful stories in a creative yet polished manner.
• Professional demeanor at all times; ability to act as an Invest in Louisiana representative to the public
• Self-motivated with the ability to operate independently, meet deadlines and solve problems.
• Strong commitment to applying a racial equity lens to policy work. 

Preferred: 

• Familiarity with legislative and/or budget processes at the state or federal level.
• Familiarity with Louisiana’s public policy environment.
• Familiarity with the legislative process and how research, communications, and outreach work together to shape public policy.

Associate: Classification Level I 

This classification level is characterized by completing tasks delegated by a supervisor with frequent support from supervisors or other employees, using the knowledge attained through education and experience to consistently exercise discretion and judgment and manage tasks or projects independently while asking for help when needed.

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of experience. (Portfolio work or demonstrable skills may be considered in place of formal years of experience.)
• Minimum starting salary: $60,000 

Manager: Classification Level II

This position is characterized by conducting and completing work with support from supervisors and other employees, using the advanced knowledge attained through education and experience to consistently exercise discretion and judgment, generate work ideas, and manage tasks and projects independently.

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or 2-5 years of experience, or master’s degree with 2-3 years of experience in a relevant field. (Portfolio work or demonstrable skills may be considered in place of formal years of experience)
• Minimum starting salary: $66,000

Candidates will be evaluated against the qualifications for both classifications. The successful candidate will be hired into the level that best aligns with their education, experience and demonstrated competencies.

Physical & Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.).
• Maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

Work Environment

• Duties are performed both remotely and in an office environment and may require traveling to other facilities using employee's personal transportation.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Additional information

• This is a full-time position.
• This is a bargaining-unit position in Invest in Louisiana’s staff union.
• The minimum starting salary for this position is $60,000 for the Associate (Classification Level I) and $66,000 for the Manager (Classification Level II) level. 
• Invest in Louisiana is a hybrid office with a mix of remote and in person work. We also offer a generous benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, paid sick and vacation days, sabbatical leave and paid parental leave.
• To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and two work samples to jobs@investlouisiana.org, with “Digital Communications” in the subject line.
• The job will remain open until filled. 

Disclaimer

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change over time based on organizational needs, consistent with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• This job description does not constitute a contract of employment or a guarantee of continued employment. All terms and conditions of employment are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and applicable organizational policies.

Invest in Louisiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Invest in Louisiana, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Invest in Louisiana expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of Invest Louisiana employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Invest in Louisiana complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Invest in Louisiana has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.