What are the responsibilities and job description for the J Street Deputy Press Secretary position at J Street?
Position Title: J Street Deputy Press Secretary
Reports to: Vice President of Communications
Start Date: Immediately
Location: Washington, DC (in person)
Hours: Full Time, Exempt
Position:
Want to help drive much-needed change in American politics, policy and the Jewish community when it comes to Israel/Palestine? Do you believe there has to be balance and nuance in the polarized debate over one of the toughest and most divisive issues in American politics? Are you committed to working for peace, justice, equality and democracy?
J Street is looking for a Deputy Press Secretary to drive strategic, earned media in a fast-paced, policy and political advocacy environment.
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Responsibilities
In Consultation and/or Collaboration with the VP of Communications:
- Design, develop and implement media strategy
- Manage day-to-day relationship with J Street’s media consulting firm
- Grow and manage segmented media lists and monitor and measure engagement
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with top tier targeted reporters, producers and editors in Washington DC and beyond
- Craft tailored media pitches to a range of media targets who cover our issues – political, foreign policy, Jewish life, etc.
- Draft and pre-pitch embargoed press releases
- Write reactive press statements and quotes for media
- Expand J Street’s footprint into new priority media markets and spaces (including new and non-traditional media like podcasts, bloggers, other online influencers, etc.)
- Provide media interview/engagement training for J Street staff and leaders
Qualifications and Skills
- At least 7 years of experience working in media relations, as a journalist or a combination of the two
- Previous experience working with and developing relationships with DC-based media
- Possesses an instinctive news sense
- Experience working as a media spokesperson (including press briefings, live and recorded news media, and with print journalists and other written-content producers)
- Strong and quick news and/or press release writing skills
- Thrives on deadline-driven work
- A highly-developed or natural ability to schmooze with reporters and other journalists in person and across communications channels
- Twitter/X and other leading social platform mastery as a means of tracking news, news hooks and engaging with media targets
- Openness to feedback, willingness to be wrong, and flexibility to pivot when necessary
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; the reality on the ground is constantly changing, requiring resilience, agility and speed
- Demonstrated commitment to J Street’s vision and mission; strong grasp of J Street’s issues
About J Street
J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans to promote US policies that align with Jewish and democratic values, that help secure the State of Israel as a just, democratic homeland for the Jewish people, and that advance freedom, safety and self-determination for the Palestinian people.
J Street focuses its work in three main areas: (1) Advocating and demonstrating support for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy policies in Congress, the media and the Jewish community; (2) Endorsing and raising money for federal candidates who share J Street’s agenda; and (3) Educating the public and raising awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time position, with some work outside traditional work hours on an as-needed basis. The annual salary is 80,000-85,000. Per J Street's Collective Bargaining Agreement, pay and title are commensurate with experience and according to pay bands outlined in our CBA. This position is expected to be in-person at least 3 days a week.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Unlimited personal time off
- Sick leave
- generous parental and family leave
- paid time off on many federal and Jewish holidays,
- health and dental insurance
- company-paid life insurance,
- a 401k program including an employer match
- commuter benefits,
- and a flexible spending account.
J Street recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in J Street’s bargaining unit and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Physical Requirements
There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. J Street will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
To Apply
We are excited to receive applications from a broad range of applicants as we grow our organization to better reflect the diversity of the communities that care about our mission. Please submit the items listed below:
- Resume
- Five Short Answer Application Questions (250 words or less)
- Unedited or lightly edited news-related writing sample (press release or news article)
Applications are being accepted now and the position will be filled as quickly as possible.
At J Street we value an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse workplace. We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to understanding and valuing each other’s perspectives at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our employees, and the communities we work with. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment and fellowship, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.
Salary : $80,000 - $85,000