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Job: Youth Media Council looking for a Media Strategist

The YOUTH MEDIA COUNCIL (YMC) seeks a Media Strategist to direct its strategic communications work with youth and racial justice groups. The position is full-time. Salary $38-40K DOE. Full medical, dental, and vision benefits, flexible work schedule, and monthly personal growth stipend provided. Position is in Oakland, CA. Applicant must be willing to relocate. Some relocation support available. Rolling applications accepted until May 1, 2006.

Who We Are
The Youth Media Council believes that media and culture are critical tools in creating real justice; that’s why we build the power of disenfranchised communities to engage and transform corporate media in California and beyond. Launched in 2001 in response to the misrepresentation of youth and communities of color in the media, the YMC is a membership-based media strategy and action center working to promote racial justice and defend human rights. The Youth Media Council works with youth organizing and racial justice groups in the Bay Area and other key U.S. regions to organize against media criminalization of youth and people of color, amplify progressive public voice in public debate, and transform the current media system into an inclusive public resource that promotes a healthy and equitable society.

The Ideal Candidate
The Youth Media Council is looking for an energetic, creative and skilled critical thinker to join our diverse staff as a Media Strategist. The position will coordinate the YMC’s Strategic Communications for Racial Justice Program, the primary goal of which is to provide California youth organizing and racial justice groups with media strategy and presswork services that impact public debate on critical public policy issues. Primary areas of responsibility include:
• Conducting presswork and media strategy development for youth organizing and racial justice groups throughout California
• Conducting media content analysis of critical policy issues
• Developing content for an online Strategic Communications Resource Center
• Coordinating media strategy networks and public events
• Developing a journalist outreach program
• Conducting PR and media strategy training/technical assistance for organizers
• Developing innovative media strategy models for racial and economic justice.

Qualified applicants must have: at least 2 years experience as a PR consultant, communications director, organizer or director of a political campaign; demonstrated success at planning and implementing media campaigns, placing news stories, conducting strategic messaging/framing, and building relationships with reporters; the ability to create program plans and the initiative to implement them; at least 2 years experience working with social justice groups; and an understanding of grassroots organizing and policy change. Other important qualifications include excellent written and oral communications skills, group facilitation skills, project management experience, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects, proficiency with Macintosh computers, and the ability and willingness to travel.

The Youth Media Council is a part of the Movement Strategy Center (www.movementstrategy.org). People of color and Spanish speakers are strongly encouraged to apply. Please email your resume, a cover letter reflecting answers to the guiding questions below, 3 references who can speak to your abilities, and a writing sample (e.g. article, report, sample media plan) before May 1, 2006 to: amy@youthmediacouncil.org.

Guiding Questions for Cover Letter:
• What brought you to social justice work?
• How can communications be a tool for social change?
• What impact do media and communications have on the movement for racial justice and youth rights?

This is a full-time position working in our downtown Oakland office.
ROLLING APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BEFORE May 1, 2006

Please visit www.youthmediacouncil.org to learn more about our programs and work.

Starts	03/16/2006
Ends	05/07/2006
Issues	Criminal Justice, Economic Justice, Gay/Lesbian, Gender/Women, Immigration, Media, Racial Justice, Youth
Homepage	action.youthmediacouncil.org
Contact	info@youthmediacouncil.org