Social Media Associate

Title: Social Media Associate

Unit: Development

Reports to: Communications Manager

Status: Full-time; Regular; Non-Exempt

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

Location: Long Island City, Queens 

Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; occasional evenings and weekends

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working since 1967 in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with over $90 million in annual budget with approximately 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 18,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

The Fortune Society is seeking a Social Media Associate to support our efforts to share information about our full suite of programs and promote our mission through advocacy and stories.

The Social Media Associate will assist the Communications Manager in creating social media graphics, drafting social media posts and email blasts, designing informational and print materials, and developing strategies for sharing information about Fortune.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Design and Photography: The Social Media Associate should exhibit usage and passion for design platforms and photography skills. The candidate should have knowledge in, but not limited to, general design best practices, formatting and editing.

Attention to Detail: Social media is ever evolving and quick to change trends or attention. The Social Media Associate is tasked with staying up to date on these changes while analyzing performance on Fortune’s platforms. Response to comments or direct messages and clear copy on captions and graphics, as well as maintenance of calendars, are important to do in a timely manner.

Collaboration: The Social Media Associate must collaborate with the entire Communications department to prioritize social media messaging with external audiences. The Associate will also work with individuals in other programs to organize and execute events or advocacy promotion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft, edit and schedule social media posts based on success stories, program updates, news and events using photography and graphics;
• In collaboration with Communications Manager, analyze engagement and performance data from social media to better engage target audiences;
• Working with Communications Manager and Public Relations Associate, create and implement a communications calendar with social media campaigns and agency updates/events;
• Design educational flyers, handouts, one-pagers and social media graphics using Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Canva;
• Draft, edit and schedule weekly email newsletters, collaborating with Public Relations Associate;
• Attend service programming, workshops and events for photography and live social media;
• Attend advocacy rallies with the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy for photography and social media;
• Provide support in promoting events such as partnerships and webinars;
• Capture and edit video content for appropriate platforms;
• Implement minor updates to website;
• Organize materials and folders in a shared drive for department collaboration;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of graphic design and Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop; Canva a plus;
• 1-2 years of social media and communications work or internship experience;
• Experience producing engaging digital content for diverse audiences;
• Experience in photography and editing applications (Photoshop or Lightroom); experience with videography and editing in Premiere;
• 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 is a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Familiarity, commitment and passion for criminal justice reform and The Fortune Society’s mission;
• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience and skill set.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to Fortune’s mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements:

The Social Media Associate must work both from our Long Island City office, Harlem office and Bronx offices, and remotely. Traveling to other locations in New York City is regularly required. Evenings 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 accommodations 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.