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We deeply believe that improving racial disparities is at the core of a smart growth approach, and the Communications Associate will play a key role in the external communications surrounding SGA’s organization-wide voice on racial equity, climate mitigation and resilience, and creating healthier, more connected communities. This role is excellent for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding and experience in support of making the built environment more people-centered and creating equitable and thriving communities.

To apply, please send a resume, a cover letter that describes your interest in smart growth and what you would bring to the position, references, and a writing sample (1,000 words or less) to [email protected] with “Communications Associate” in the subject line.

Organizational Overview

Smart Growth America helps create healthy, prosperous, and resilient places to live for all people through research, advocacy, and direct community support. Our work spans housing and land use, transportation, and economic development to find solutions to communities’ most pressing needs.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Associate is an important member of the communications team, supporting and executing external communications that enhance SGA’s brand, priorities, and mission. The three-person communications team is the hub of SGA, always connected to and sharing the multi-faceted work of our many programs. This position features significant freedom and responsibility, regular contact and collaboration with our supporters, the opportunity to shape the direction of the smart growth movement, and valuable hands-on experience with room to advance. Finally, SGA is engaged in a full redesign of smartgrowthamerica.org, and the Communications Associate is a key member of the team that will lead this project forward.

The associate’s core responsibilities include:

• Support strategy on SGA’s external communications calendar, including brainstorming ideas for creative campaigns throughout the year on notable days, milestones, anniversaries, etc.
• Execute social media strategy and manage social media accounts day-to-day. This includes producing and posting content and tracking analytics to inform future strategy.
• Draft and edit email blasts and advocacy alerts on our issues and send them to tens of thousands of supporters using Salsa Engage.
• Develop, write, and edit regular content about our work, including enterprising, original content about smart growth, SGA’s focus areas, and/or current events.
• Assist in managing SGA’s WordPress-based website.
• Assist with SGA’s internal communications.
• Assist in the design of SGA collateral, graphics, and other organizational documents.
• Support our teams to write, edit, and help design or layout SGA’s numerous publications and reports and help manage those public releases.
• Help build and hone the organization’s brand and overall message.

Required knowledge and skills:

• Commitment to SGA’s North Star, with a demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or planning- or community-development-related field preferred.
• 2 to 4 years of communications experience in a nonprofit, advocacy, or smart growth-related organization.
• Interest in smart growth, including SGA’s focus areas: land use, transportation and transit, urban planning, climate resilience, economic development, and equitable real estate development. The ideal candidate will be able to write and communicate about these focus areas in an integrated and compelling way, particularly at the intersection of these issues with racial equity.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Excellent and efficient writing and editing skills.
• Experience with WordPress.
• A collaborative working style while also being an enterprising and creative self-starter who can offer up new ideas or content and work independently.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Candidates should have a solid understanding of how nonprofits use social media effectively.

Preferred knowledge and skills:

• Experience with issues-based advocacy.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or other graphic design software.
• Experience with video editing and design.
• Experience in smart growth, including SGA’s focus areas: land use, transportation and transit, urban planning, climate resilience, economic development, and equitable real estate development.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience, with a set range of $52,000-63,000 per year. SGA has an entrepreneurial and innovative workplace culture where employees work collaboratively to achieve the mission with a focus on equity. SGA offers a generous employee benefits package featuring a fully paid medical plan, optional dental and vision coverage, 401k with a strong company contribution, company-paid life, and disability insurance, three weeks’ vacation in the first year, and 12 paid holidays.

Location and Vaccination

This position is based in Washington, DC. No relocation assistance is being offered at this time. Staff are currently working in the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays while working remotely on Mondays and Fridays. SGA requires employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and boosted.

To apply

If you possess the desired qualifications, including the requisite experience and subject matter knowledge of smart growth, please send a resume, a cover letter that describes your interest in smart growth and what you would bring to the position, references, and two writing samples (1,000 words or less) to [email protected] with “Communications Associate” in the subject line. Selected applicants will be contacted via email. In your cover letter, please indicate how/where you learned of this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted immediately on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.

SGA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, alienage or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or any other status protected by applicable law.