Public Relations Associate

Unit: Development

Reports to: Communications Manager

Salary Range: $27.48 to $30.22 per hour (Approximately $50,000 - $55,000 Annually)

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Location: Long Island City

Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Position Summary:

The Fortune Society is seeking a Public Relations Associate to support our efforts to seek narrative and informational stories to share about our full suite of programs and promote our mission through media and editorial content.

The Public Relations Associate will support the Communications Manager in connecting with programs and services to identify staff and participants to feature on Fortune platforms and in localized media outlets. The Public Relations Associate will be responsible for connecting external audiences to our mission.

Mission and Fit

The Public Relations Associate must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding; and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Attention to Detail

As a part of the Communications department, it is vital to be informed in the fast-paced media and social outlets. The Public Relations Associate will outreach to internal programs and external media entities simultaneously, scheduling in time for interviews and on a department calendar. Clean copy in story drafts, free of grammar and spelling errors, helps move forward in the department's editorial process.

Collaboration

The Public Relations Associate will collaborate with department supervisors and social media team for external promotion. The role will also work with external media outlets to get story placements in localized publications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with program, policy team and research to interview and draft blog post and news stories about participants, programs and events;
• Working with Communications Manager, create and implement a communications calendar with editorial content;
• Attend service programming, workshops and events for interviews and photography;
• Pitch to media outlets located in communities and neighborhoods as Fortune work and locations;
• Manage press and editorial content on website, updating as needed;
• Assist Social Media Assistant with features for weekly newsletter;
• Act as Editorial Assistant on bi-annual mailed newsletter to subscribers and donors, including pitches, drafts, outreach and editing;
• Assist Communications Manager in creating and editing the annual agency report;
• Edit and proofread communications materials;
• Research and pitch speaking engagements for leadership team members;
• Organize materials and folders in a shared drive for department collaboration. 

Qualifications:

• At least 1-2 years of journalism and communications work or internship experience;
• Experience producing engaging digital content for diverse audiences;
• Experience in photography and editing applications (Photoshop or Lightroom)
• Strong writing, editing and communication skills with a passion for finding the right words and images, and communicating accurately and succinctly;
• Ability to organize, prioritize and meet deadlines while effectively managing multiple projects with creativity and flexibility;
• Experience in Mailchimp and WordPress are a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Familiarity, commitment and passion for criminal legal reform and The Fortune Society’s mission;
• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience and skill set.

The Fortune Society encourages individuals to apply who have successfully made the transition from incarceration and/or substance use into a stable, productive lifestyle in the community.

Travel Requirements: The Public Relations Associate must work both from our Long Island City offices and remotely. Travel to other locations in New York City is sometimes required. Nights and weekends are sometimes required.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.