The Innocence Project seeks Communications Associate

Oddly enough, this job opening doesn't currently appear on their website, so I've pasted it below.

Communications Associate (Media Relations)
The Innocence Project, a national non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice, seeks a Communications Associate for Media Relations. The Communications Associate will help sustain and build the organization's profile in the media to reach the general public and key target audiences.

Working as part of a team in the Communications Department and with other departments in the organization, the Communications Associate will help increase awareness of the Innocence Project and its work and help educate the public on key issues. The Communications Associate reports to the Communications Director. The Communications Associate for Media Relations is a junior- to mid-level position; the person in this position will not be the only staff member in the Communications Department who works with the media (the Communications Director, Associates and Assistant all have varying responsibilities involving media relations), but he or she will be the only person working full-time on media relations.

The Communications Associate's primary responsibilities (those that are ongoing, involve a higher level of autonomy and require more initiative in development as well as implementation) include:

• Build and maintain target media lists (particularly in local/regional media and niche media);
• Establish ongoing relationships with journalists (again, particularly those at local/regional outlets and niche media outlets);
• Coordinate and facilitate interviews or background briefings for journalists to speak with designated spokespeople on Innocence Project litigation or policy initiatives;
• Conduct media pitch calls and follow-up calls to maximize exposure to Innocence Project initiatives and positions;
• Monitor and compile media coverage.
  

The Communications Associate's secondary responsibilities (those where tasks are assigned on a project-by-project basis and work is often divided among multiple staff members) include:

• Conduct research (ranging from simple questions to in-depth issue-based research) for the preparation of materials or in response to specific requests;
• Draft op-ed pieces, press releases and background material on specific litigation, policy initiatives or other developments;
• Provide media outreach assistance to allied organizations or local partners;
• Other projects and tasks as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have:

• One to two years of experience in media-relations and/or communications-related work (preferably in the nonprofit sector, either as paid staff or in substantive internships/fellowships);
• Demonstrated ability - and comfort level - reaching out to media outlets (or similar entities) to solicit coverage. Put simply: the ideal candidate should be able to show that he or she is not afraid of calling into busy and sometimes-unfriendly media outlets to pitch coverage of Innocence Project news.
• Solid research skills, with the ability to quickly gather information from multiple sources and compile it in an accessible format;
• Proven ability to coordinate projects and juggle multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Strong commitment to the Innocence Project's mission;
• Work style that is conducive to securing results while collaborating with others and fostering an enjoyable work environment.

Put simply: the ideal candidate is a focused, detail-oriented individual who is resourceful and creative and sees solutions more than problems.

The salary is competitive (in the low- to mid-30s) and the benefits are excellent.

To apply, send cover letter, resume and at least three writing samples to:
Eric Ferrero
Director of Communications
The Innocence Project
100 Fifth Ave., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10011
Email: hr5@innocenceproject.org