Communications Assistant

Communications Assistant

Child Trends is looking for a communications assistant to support the department’s work promoting research aimed at improving child well-being in the United States. The communications assistant is critical to the day-to-day operations of our communications department. The person in this role supports social, traditional, and digital media outreach efforts to disseminate research findings, as well as project management. The position offers ample room to gain experience in all parts of research communications, including editing, digital media, social media, traditional media, and project management. The communications assistant will work closely with and report to the communications manager.

Child Trends research focuses on all areas of child and youth well-being, with a particular focus on understanding the historical, political, and societal biases that impact low-income children, children of color, and LGBTQ children, youth and families. We strive to conduct research and evaluation that integrates racial equity, is culturally responsive, and empowers communities to participate in the research process in meaningful ways. We strongly encourage individuals from communities that have been impacted by structural oppression and are underrepresented in communications, research and academic fields (including but not limited to: first-generation college students, first-generation immigrants, people of color) to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Social and Traditional Media (45%)

• Draft social media posts, e-newsletter language, and other materials as needed for review by the communications manager.
• Track and report department metrics as assigned, including social and traditional media analytics, media coverage, and budgets.

• Manage and update media database, including uploading press releases.
• Maintain LinkedIn page for the Early Childhood Data Collaborative.

Project Management Administration (45%)

• Assist in the management of the communications pipeline including updating meeting agendas and project management systems, and tracking timelines and project budgets.
• Manage requests for copyright clearance.
• Organize and maintain digital communications files and department Intranet presence.
• Provide administrative support to department staff, including scheduling meetings, processing purchase orders, tracking team spending in Excel, and other duties as needed.

Digital Media (10%)

• Update the newsroom on the website and upload press releases using WordPress.
• Coordinate with new and existing staff to review, update, and upload staff bios on childtrends.org.
• Work with the digital media coordinator to source images for Child Trends publications.

Required qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. degree, or Associate degree with relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to write with clarity, specificity, and with a full command of language and its nuances; and to bring a thorough understanding of grammar and punctuation to writing and proofreading tasks.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Ability to learn and be adept with software tools, such as Wordpress, Excel, Cision, Buffer, Mailchimp, Photoshop.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of accessible, equitable, and anti-racist language and research.
• Self-starter who is willing to share their ideas, take initiative, and accepts feedback well.
• One year of relevant social media experience or the demonstrated ability to craft engaging, high-quality promotional language.
• Interest in understanding how research is communicated through the news and social media.
• Interest or experience in communications for research institutions, nonprofit organizations, associations, or government.

Locations: Flexible Remote Work; Child Trends’ offices are based in Rockville, MD; Chapel Hill, NC; Minneapolis, MN. Many Child Trends staff work remotely, and while we are set up to hire remote staff in many states, we are not yet operating everywhere in the US and do not have any overseas operations. We are currently approved to hire full-time staff in AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. The organization will require time to assess additional set up requirements (e.g., employment and tax law) for locations outside of areas where we are currently approved to hire. Individuals who would like to work from areas outside of the currently approved states, if offered the position, should indicate this preference as early as possible in the application process.

Benefits:
For all full-time and part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, we offer generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays; optional individual/domestic partner/family medical, dental and vision benefits effective first day of employment; optional pet benefits; pre-tax reimbursement funds (FSA, HSA, Commuter); life insurance; short/long term disability, basic life and AD&D coverage paid for by Child Trends; paid family leave; paid bereavement leave; professional development and tuition reimbursement allowance; and 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and Child Trends contributions after 1 year of employment. To learn more, go to https://www.childtrends.org/about-us/careers and click " Benefits."

Background Investigation:

Jobs that involve interactions with children and positions that rely on high levels of trust to perform duties are subject to a background check at the time of hire. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. We will always conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check and never inquire into an applicant's criminal history until interviews have been conducted and offer decisions are being made. Current employees may also be subject to future background checks depending on the nature of their duties. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate or current employee from employment, however any convictions related to the responsibilities and requirements of the position may do so.

How to Apply:

Please follow the “apply” link to submit your application. When asked by the system to upload resume, please upload one document that includes your resume, cover letter, writing sample, official or unofficial transcripts , and contact information for three professional references. Materials must be combined into one document in order to be uploaded. If you have any difficulties with this process please email the requested materials to recruitment(at)childtrends.org and make sure to reference the position in the subject line. No phone calls please!

Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center headquartered in Rockville, MD with more than 200 staff in over 28 states that provides valuable information and insights on the well-being of children, youth, and their families. For more than 40 years, policymakers, funders, educators, and service providers in the U.S. have relied on our data and analyses to make better decisions and policies on programs serving children, families, and youth. www.childtrends.org  

Child Trends is committed to hiring, retaining, and promoting staff who bring a rich diversity of experience to support our mission of improving the lives and prospects of children and youth, especially those made most vulnerable by the effects of historical and ongoing systemic discrimination. Together, we envision a world in which a child’s race, ethnicity, family income, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or any other social identity does not determine how that child will fare in life. Therefore, we approach every aspect of our work with these ideals in mind and encourage professionals who share in our commitment to apply.   

Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.