Position: Editorial Associate
Reports to: Content Manager
Supervision: Possible interns
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
Salary Range: $46,118-56,494
Organization Overview
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, foundation, corporate and government grants.
Position Summary
The Editorial Associate will create impactful, strategy-driven content to amplify the voices of children and families, increase the visibility of the CDF and its impact, and showcase the organization’s thought leadership. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting policy research, generating ideas for new types of content for various media channels, writing original content in various voices, conducting substantive editing and copyediting, and proofreading copy before publication. The Editorial Associate will work with various CDF staff to support efforts to ensure the CDF brand and messaging are reaching targeted audiences. This position will report to the Content Manager and be a part of a growing team of high-performing communications professionals.
Responsibilities
- Write and edit engaging multimedia content to be used across various platforms
- Liaise with policy, movement building and CDF Freedom Schools®, and Institutional Advancement teams to support the creation of engaging content for the variety of CDF’s external audiences
- Develop talking points and text drafts for CDF thought leaders
- Stay up to date on policy topics related to the work of CDF
- Carry out storytelling and narrative creation that centers the voice of children
- Provide communications support for CDF convenings and conferences
- Liaise with outside vendors, including designers and printers
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field
- At least 1 to 3 years of editorial experience, preferably with mission-driven organizations
- Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional capacity
- Experience advocating for racial justice and other social justice causes
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to dynamic deadlines
Competencies
- Advanced listening, writing, and editing skills
- Fluency with Microsoft Office suite
- Ability to ethically and effectively amplify the voices of people who experience poverty.
- Clear understanding of economic and racial justice issues and the ability to incorporate analysis of these issues into your work
- Ability to convey complex public policy issues to lay audiences.
Personal Characteristics
- Orientation to and background of servant leadership
- Passion for CDF’s mission and purpose and ability to communicate this passion to others
- Ability to serve as an advocate and exemplar for the vision, values, and mission of the Children’s Defense Fund
- Demonstrated strong relational skills
Type of work environment associated with the job
- indoor, office setting
Additional Comments
Children’s Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, economic status, or status as an individual with a disability. Consideration will be given to qualified candidates on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Salary commensurate with experience. Attractive benefits package.
A background check and/or pre-employment assessments will be performed in compliance with local, state, and federal law on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all responsibilities required and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Questions regarding the role or position description may be submitted to Human Resources at humanresources@childrensdefense.org.