Victims For Justice is seeking a Communications & Development Specialist to help support and serve victims of violent crime in Alaska. Victims For Justice is a highly collaborative, project and mission driven organization, with a high level of individual responsibility for specialized projects and interests.

This position will require an ability to practice and inspire empowerment, build strong relationships, use sound judgement, have a strong desire to learn and share, and a deep and personal commitment to equity and justice as daily and life-long values. This position will have proven experience working with multi-cultural populations and a readiness and  passion for building relationships and increasing support for those who have experienced trauma through violence in Alaska.

They will advance the mission of our community-driven, victim-centered organization already recognized for advocating for victim rights in Alaska. This position is responsible for providing victim-centered resources to Alaskans on a broad scale and works closely with the Executive Director to identify and cultivate donor/community support. Passion, ingenuity and strong attention to detail are vital. 

The Communications & Development Specialist will report to the Executive Director, who is responsible for overseeing all programs and implementation of the organization’s strategic plans.

Victims For Justice is an equal opportunity employer. Because of our commitment to community-based leadership, individuals from all communities and backgrounds, specifically those with a deep connection to Alaska are encouraged to apply. Background checks will be required.

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Communications & Development Specialist Job Description

PURPOSE: The Communications & Development Specialist is a full-time position, that works with the Executive Director to promote Victims For Justice programs. An excellent writer and communicator, the Specialist is focused on increasing, broadening and deepening program participation, as well as making the general public aware of Victims For Justice’s services and value. Planning and implementing outreach and development strategies for all VFJ activities is a core responsibility of this position. The Communications and Development Specialist will help form and strengthen collaborative relationships with a wide variety of organizations to reach out to victims of violent crime and educate about available services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communications/Outreach responsibilities (70%):

• Works with the Executive Director to plan, promote and present information to increase public awareness about Victims For Justice;
• Develops annual communication plan aligning with the organization’s strategic plan with strategies for the promotion of Victims For Justice including identifying target audiences and the most effective methods of reaching them;
• Develops/Updates organizational outreach materials including brochures, PowerPoint presentations, etc. ensuring consistency and quality;
• Prepares press releases and other promotional copy;
• Maintains and updates Victims For Justice website; utilizes social media to reach target audiences, distributes direct mail and email promotions/newsletters, and develops other web-based promotion;
• Maintains database outreach activities and community/press contacts;
• Oversees event for 3 annual events per year;
• Responsible for volunteer coordination;
• Assists in the development of collaborations between VFJ and other community entities, including but not limited to violence prevention;   
• Strengthens relationships with the community and local and regional law enforcement/criminal justice-related contacts;

Development and other responsibilities (30%):

• Assists in developing and leads in implementing an annual plan to increase community giving; determine targeted results and tracks, documents progress;
• Assist in identifying and cultivating giving programs with small, medium, and large individual donors as part of an annual plan; prioritizes prospects; document all contacts; determine targeted results, tracks and documents progress;
• Coordinates with Admin Staff/Volunteers to process donations and prepare acknowledgement letters and other correspondence;
• Creates monthly fundraising reports and other database reports as needed;
• Represents VFJ professionally in public and with clients;
• Maintain records and use the database to track all activities;
• Assist with reporting to grantors and the board of directors;
• Attend, participate in and report on community-based workgroups including the VFJ Development Committee and other meetings as assigned;
• Other duties as assigned;

Transportation:

Must provide own transportation to attend meetings and events. Occasional travel to conferences and other activities may be required. Personal vehicle, valid driver’s license, and proof of vehicle insurance required.

Environmental/Working Conditions

VFJ is a highly collaborative and employee empowered environment. Each employee is expected to perform as part of the team with an ability to work independently.  Work hours must have flexibility to include rare after hours and Saturdays in order to accommodate travel, and events.

Qualifications:

• Clear, concise, and compassionate communication;
• Strong English writing, editing and verbal communication;
• Knowledge of ethical standards for care (including privacy) of victims of violence;
• Ability to work under pressure, organize work assignments, set priorities and meet deadlines;
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in order to contribute to problem-solving activities within a growing, changing organization;
• Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner and work on sensitive issues with diverse groups of individuals;
• Background check required;
• Knowledge of the criminal justice/legal system preferred;
• Knowledge of the dynamics of victim services and issues;

Skills and Strengths:

Based on the strengths of our current team, we expect employees bring the following skills and strengths to the table:

• Integrity;
• Deep understanding of and commitment to serving victims of violence;
• Ability to build relationships and trust with people of different identities than your own;
• Ability to adapt communication methods to different people, teams, and geographies;
• Positivity and realism: seeing opportunities in every challenge, and realistic solutions;
• Ability to lead self and others in setting goals and monitoring progress;
• Discipline to prioritize, follow-through, and stay on track;
• Knowledge of when to lead and when to support, based on situation, not hierarchy;
• Demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically;
• Understanding of the intersectionality of our work and the tensions and opportunities that intersectionality represents;
• Demonstrated ability with social media marketing and promotional strategies;
• Superb researcher;
• Knowledge of layout and design for print and web-based promotional materials;
• Understanding of the non-profit sector;

All roles develop and are adjust based on the strengths and needs of the communities that we work with, and the strengths of individual members of the team.

We understand that this is a comprehensive list and that you might not have strengths in all of these areas! Direct communication about strengths and challenges is part of our hiring process.

Do not wait. Apply today. Send cover letter and resume to Executive Assistant, Jenni Johnson jjohnson@victimsforjustice.org.