Advocacy and Communications Lead
Join our team! Room One is seeking a strong communicator and community builder to lead our new Advocacy Program. Apply by March 15, 2023
Reports to: Executive Director
Pay: $27.20-29.30 DOE
Current Benefits: Employer-paid vacation and wellness leave. Health, dental, and vision and life insurance for employees, and 401K match option after 1000 hours worked (6-12 months). Benefits are variable year to year depending on budget and board and staff input.
Hours: Full-Time: 32-36 hours (4 days/week with some evening and weekend events required). Preferred position start: April-May 2023.
To apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, and an example of your communications or advocacy work to Managing Director Kelly Edwards at kelly@roomone.org. If you have questions about the position, please reach out to Kelly. We begin reviewing applications on March 15, so we encourage you to submit soon. In your cover letter, please address the following questions - this helps us get to know you better!
Briefly describe what advocacy means to you.
What is it about this position at Room One that excites you? What particular issues does Room One work on that you would be passionate about doing advocacy work for?
Room One works to stop cycles of poverty and violence in our rural community. Please briefly talk about how your background or experience prepares you for this work, particularly for working with people who may have different backgrounds than yours.
About you:
You get fired up about rural communities thriving. You have the capacity to act quickly when needed, and take your time to work thoughtfully, always. You genuinely believe we do our best work when we are closest to the community. You are inspired to lift up others and can mentor community members to be their own best advocates. You are excited about engaging with people with different life experiences. You thrive in a high-energy environment, and can provide a steady calming force when working on tight deadlines. You are an independent worker who can set priorities and take steps to move through long term projects to build community power and create lasting change. You are a convener and facilitator, and know when to lead and when to step back. You are an essential part of our leadership team, working closely with our Executive Director and Managing Director on communications and advocacy, staying attuned to what staff, the organization, and community needs.
About us:
We are a social services and community advocacy organization serving the Methow Valley and extending into greater Okanogan County. We use three primary approaches to achieve our vision of a connected community where all people have the opportunity to thrive: meaningful direct services, prevention programs, and advocacy for change. Our program areas include a walk-in One-Stop Support Center, Youth Homelessness Program, teen pregnancy prevention, parenting programs, and advocacy along with partners in housing, affordable high-quality childcare, improved domestic violence response, mental health awareness, food access, and access to reproductive healthcare. The Advocacy and Communications Lead works as part of a team, working toward a rural valley where all ages feel safe, that they belong, and they have the power to make a difference.
Our top requirements: We will train on specific systems and protocols. And it will help you succeed if you:
Have strong self-awareness, can recognize when you need support, can receive feedback as part of growth,
Can communicate and collaborate as a team-player, sometimes putting your own plans and agenda aside, while sharing your experience and thoughts openly,
Are a compelling communicator, in person and in writing, and have an ability to multitask, manage time, and stay organized.
Have an understanding of, and passion for, rural communities.
We are also seeking candidates who demonstrate:
Ability to see the big picture, while also attending to details
Passion for creating equitable and thriving work environments
Ability to work with coalitions and existing community groups or organizations
Respect for policies and protocols, especially when working with reporting and grant management
Ability to listen, be available to staff and community members
Commitment to community and being with an organization for an extended period
Unique Requirements of the Advocacy and Communications Lead position:
Experience creating visuals using publishing software for a variety of audiences (e.g. Adobe, Publisher, Piktochart)
Experience with writing
Experience with, or willingness to understand, how town, county, state and federal policies work
Willingness to jump in for a range of activities, from the mundane (e.g. ordering food for a community meeting) to the complex (e.g. facilitating a group of youth visiting Olympia).
All Room One Staff are responsible for following CDC and State DOH guidelines with vaccinations and practices to minimize Covid exposures.
Room One strives to cultivate a staff whose lived experience aligns with the key issues we address. People of color, LGBTQ candidates, those from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and people with deep roots in Okanogan County and other qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.