The Public Relations/Communications Associate serves as the organization’s point person in curating and conveying the public image of CDR through traditional and social media, our websites, and email. The position is a critical part of the External Affairs team, helping develop and implement an integrated messaging campaign to enhance the organization’s brand and win advocacy campaigns that improve the lives of the Disability Community in Rochester, across New York, and throughout the country. This role is ideal for energetic individuals passionate about shaping public perception through innovative communication strategies. Join us to amplify our voice and make a lasting impact!
Position Responsibilities:
Analyze the organization’s objectives, promotional policies, and needs to build public relations strategies that influence public opinion and promote the organization.
Collaborate internally to identify trends and evaluate earned and paid media, including social media, to determine efficacy and alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
Work with the Vice President for External Affairs to develop and maintain branding standards.
Serve as the point person for managing our digital content, including websites and social media, to ensure content is consistently up to date, aligned with our mission and strategic goals, and adheres to the organization’s brand standards.
In conjunction with the VP for External Affairs, develop a social media plan that increases awareness of CDR’s programs and services, advances our policy goals, and encourages engagement with the organization in a meaningful manner.
Coordinate, create, publish, and share new and timely content on a regular basis to maintain a strong and active online identity.
Develop a social media calendar; creating template and establishing content in advance while also responding to timely and newsworthy issues.
Moderate user-generated content on social media platforms in line with the moderation policy.
Act as the organization’s photographer; capturing moments and experiences, editing photos and maintaining a library of relevant content.
Working with the VP for External Affairs and other staff to coordinate responses to requests for information from the media.
Support effective media relations, drafting media advisories and press releases, developing run of show, and preparing information for the media while supporting staff in effectively working with the media.
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with consumers, the community, employees, and allied organizations, coordinating efforts to maintain favorable public and stakeholder views of the organization’s agenda and accomplishments.
Prepare and edit organizational materials, including employee newsletters and other publications for internal and external audiences.
Engage influencers and other content creators – both internally and externally – to ensure that CDR’s electronic footprint is representative of our diversity while consistent with organizational values and positions.
Coordinate and manage the organization’s email lists.
Support the Development Department, including its special events and fundraising initiatives.
Coach and support staff in effective communication with the public and media.
Prepare reports as required by funders and management.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree with at least one year of experience (including internships) is preferred, though individuals with lived experience who otherwise meet the qualifications will be considered.
Understanding of the social media landscape and how to maximize individual platforms.
Exceptional writing skills.
Experience with different photo and video editing software.
Experience with traditional media (preferred)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
LOCATION: This is an in-person position that can work out of CDR offices in Rochester, Albany, Corning, or Geneva.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires extended periods of time sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Minor travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, trainings, or advocacy activities.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Center for Disability Rights is a Disability-led social justice organization working to advance the rights of people with disabilities. The organization is committed to ensuring a majority of the board members, management staff, and staff are people with disabilities. This lived experience from within all levels of the organization helps set us apart from others and informs all of the work we do.
CDR began as an all-volunteer advocacy group that in 1989, before the Americans with Disabilities Act, secured a public commitment from the Rochester Transit Authority to put lifts on its buses and a state law that required access to public transit. It remained an all-volunteer advocacy group until 1998 when the organization secured funding for a small handful of staff to provide direct services.
Over nearly 30 years, CDR has consistently grown. In addition to our primary office in Rochester, we now have locations in Corning, Geneva and Albany, while serving people across the state. The organization also supports Disabled advocates in Washington D.C. working to codify our right to live in freedom.
Some of CDR’s accomplishments include:
- Successfully suing the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority to secure paratransit services that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Securing state legislation creating the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver, the Access to Home Program, and the Olmstead Housing Subsidy.
- Securing federal policy changes that promote community integration, including the Community First Choice Option.
- Developing a model for nursing facility and institutional transition, and training people from over 40 states, as well as Guam and Washington D.C.
- Saving Obamacare and Medicaid in 2017 during the Summer of ADAPT – 36 days of Disability Rights protests that spanned the entire country and transformed the Congressional fight over Medicaid into a fight for Disability Freedom.
Crafting federal legislative language that would give Disabled individuals a statutory and enforceable civil right to live in freedom.
NON-DISCRIMINATION:
The Center for Disability Rights (CDR) strives to be a participant-controlled, cross-disability organization that is reflective of the communities it serves. CDR values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age; color; cultural or ethnic group membership; disability status; educational level; family status, including pregnancy or lactation status; sex or gender; gender-identity or expression; sexual orientation; income; national origin; race; religion; creed; military status; predisposing genetic characteristics; status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault; arrest record or conviction record; credit history; immigration or citizenship status; sexual and reproductive health decisions; height and weight; or employment status. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. CDR provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Pay: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
