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MAPLight.org's Hiring: Communications Director/Coordinator

Submitted by DeAnna Dalton on Thursday, May 28th, 2009

MAPLight.org, an innovative, award-winning nonprofit illuminating money and politics, is seeking a Communications Director or Coordinator. This position is full-time and located in Berkeley, California. We will consider either a senior candidate with 5+ years media relations experience (for "Director" title), or a junior candidate with at least 1 year media relations experience (for "Coordinator" title).

MAPLight.org shines a light on the connection between money and politics in unprecedented ways. Our website links campaign contributions with how legislators vote, revealing how money and politics affect the specific issues people care about.

Responsibilities include:

  • Earning press coverage for MAPLight.org’s research and achievements
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with state and national reporters
  • Writing reports and press materials
  • Preparing briefing sheets for media interviews
  • Generating and maintaining media lists
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:  

  • Minimum 1 year of experience in public relations, with a solid record of achievement  
  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills
  • Knowledge of American politics
  • Personal dedication to MAPLight.org’s mission and work

Preferred:

  • National media contacts and experience working with political reporters and bloggers
  • Demonstrated knowledge of social networking and the blogosphere

Salary depends on experience. This position is based in downtown Berkeley, California (near BART) and includes health benefits and paid vacation.

For other positions available at MAPLight.org visit http://maplight.org/jobs

To apply, send (1) cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) up to three writing samples, including at least one press release you have written, with resulting coverage, to: Daniel Newman, Executive Director. Include “Communications Director/Coordinator” in the subject line and e-mail to: deanna (at) maplight (dot) org. No phone calls please. MAPLight.org is an equal opportunity employer.

About MAPLight.org:

MAPLight.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Berkeley, California. We illuminate the connection between Money and Politics (MAP) using our groundbreaking database of campaign contributions and legislative votes. We combine data from the Federal Election Commission, the Center for Responsive Politics, GovTrack.us, the National Institute on Money in State Politics (NIMSP), the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and other sources to better inform Americans and local and national media about the role of special-interest money in our political system. Hundreds of newspapers, TV stations, radio shows and online news sites have cited our research, including CNN, the public radio show “Marketplace,” Harper’s magazine, The Washington Post, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal. MAPLight.org has received numerous awards including a Knight-Batten Award for Innovations in Journalism; a James Madison Freedom of Information Award and a Webby nomination for best Politics website. To learn more, visit MAPLight.org.