Jobs and Internships
Now Hiring: Associate Director Development and Communications
The Media Access Project in Washington, DC, seeks a highly organized, versatile, self-motivated person to serve as Associate Director Development & Communications. This is an exceptional
opportunity for a person with broad-ranging skills to function as a key member of a small, highly-regarded, nonprofit public interest law firm. Given the nature of MAP’s work and its size, flexibility and versatility are essential qualities of everyone on the team.
THE ORGANIZATION
The mission of the Media Access Project (MAP) is to enhance democracy in the United States by protecting and fighting for the public’s First Amendment right to a diverse marketplace of ideas.
On behalf of consumer groups and citizens at large, MAP advocates media and telecommunications policies that facilitate the free flow of information and increase the number of
independent voices available in all media.
THE POSITION AND ITS PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Associate Director Development & Communications, reporting to MAP’s CEO and working closely with the legal team, will be responsible for the administrative aspects of fund raising,
communications, and office management. The duties of this position are highly diverse; however, given MAP’s size, the volume of activity in each area is relatively light. The Associate Director Development & Communications will be expected to perform the
following functions.
Development
- Actively maintain a key database of donors and other MAP constituents
- Manage record-keeping, correspondence, etc., that support fundraising
- Monitor application deadlines, track due dates, draft reports to funders
- Explore new funding opportunities
- Draft funding proposals with content input from the legal team and compile them for submission
- Plan and manage logistics for occasional fund raising events
- Manage small direct mail funding appeals
Communications
- Ensure that MAP’s website is consistently up to date and functioning effectively
- Be prepared to work with web developers on improving MAP’s website
- Maintain the communications database (which overlaps with the Development database)
- Draft and circulate news articles, press releases, etc. about MAP activities
- Schedule meetings and events as requested
- Plan and manage logistics for periodic events such as press conferences and board meetings
- Oversee office management, including purchasing equipment and supplies, and relations with building management
- Manage limited human resources activities
- Oversee MAP’s use of information technology in collaboration with outside support
- Answer the telephone and greet guests in the absence of the Office Administrator
DESIRED SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
As the person with primary responsibility for the administrative aspects of development, communications, and office management, the Associate Director Development & Communications should demonstrate:
- Ability to take initiative, and work effectively without close supervision
- Attentiveness to detail and consistent follow-through to completion of projects
- A willingness to take a hands-on approach to the job since there will often be no one to whom tasks can be delegated
- A balance of the organization to create excellent systems with the versatility to fit into a team that is required to engage in projects that cannot be always be anticipated
- Very strong written and verbal communications skills
- Familiarity with website management and with contemporary applications for general business
activity - Readiness to take advantage of relevant, emerging information technology to improve internal operations and strengthen communication with constituents and other stakeholders
DESIRED EXPERIENCE
Candidates should have at least five years experience in a broad-based operations and support roles with an emphasis on business writing. Experience in nonprofit fund raising is highly
desirable. Experience maintaining a website is highly desirable, as is experience in other communications. Strong support for MAP’s mission is essential given the close interaction among the small staff.
COMPENSATION
Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, and competitive with similar positions at other Washington-based nonprofits. MAP offers an unusually generous benefits plan
and makes efforts to respond flexibly to employees’ personal needs.
TO APPLY
Please submit the following in confidence to Media Access Project:
1) Cover letter
2) Resume
3) Two-year salary history
By mail:
Media Access Project
1625 K Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 2006
By email (preferred):
job@mediaacess.org
In Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, or PDF formats only
Please, no phone calls!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Media Access Project is an equal opportunity employer.
TIMELINE
Position posted: January 7, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the job is filled.
Media Access Project, Job Announcement, Associate Director Development & Communications,
Posted January 7, 2008
Legal Internship
Media Access Project (MAP) generally has openings for 2 full-time interns during the summer, and 1-2 full/part-time interns during the school year.
MAP is a non-profit, public interest law firm that has been practicing telecommunications law for more than thirty years. Its mission is to promote the public’s First Amendment right to hear and be heard via the electronic media of today and tomorrow before the Federal Communications Commission, other policy-making bodies, and the Courts.
Previous interns have worked on the following projects: a petition for writ of certiarori to the Supreme Court; briefs and motions before the Federal courts of appeals, filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and helping to prepare MAP staff for Congressional testimony and policy conferences. MAP interns generally have the opportunity to attend meetings with FCC Commissioners and staff, as well as with MAPs clients in the public interest community.
Interns will gain experience in these issues and will develop a wide variety of legal research and writing skills. In previous semesters, MAP’s work has focused on:
- Fighting cable monopolization of broadband access and censorship of the Internet.
- Creating a new low power radio service.
- Ensuring that digital television technology promotes democracy and civic discourse.
- Ensuring broadcast stations afford reasonable access to political candidates.
- Promoting full community, government, and educational access to cable television and direct broadcast satellite outlets.
- Fighting discriminatory deployment of new media.
MAP offers an informal, congenial work atmosphere and strongly encourages women and minorities to apply.
Applicants should be mature, motivated, and dependable individuals who have an interest in telecommunications law and policy issues. A small stipend may be available for the summer position to superior students unable to obtain funding elsewhere, but students should pursue independent sources of financial support. MAP has had significant practice in providing rich internship experiences and considers the mentoring and education of students as part of its core mission.
Interested persons must send a resume and a detailed cover letter describing their interest in MAP to the contact person listed below.
Contact Person:
Parul Desai
Associate Director
Media Access Project
1625 K Street, NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20006 202-466-7656 (fax)
email: pdesai@mediaaccess.org
No direct calls, please
This position is unpaid.
Communications/Development Intern
Media Access Project (MAP), is seeking Communications/Development interns for fall, spring and summer employment.
MAP is looking for responsible and self directed individuals who can devote 15-20 hours per week to research and write overviews of various legal issues for its website and monthly newsletter, research new funding opportunities, and provide general assistance with its yearly annual fundraiser.
The internship offers a great opportunity to gain substantive work experience. The ideal candidate is an undergraduate junior/senior or graduate student with some knowledge of media and telecommunications policy and excellent computer skills. Knowledge of basic html and web design is a plus.
Media Access Project is an equal opportunity employer.
Interested persons must send a resume and a detailed cover letter describing their interest in MAP to the contact person listed below.
Contact Person:
Parul Desai
Associate Director
Media Access Project
1625 K Street, NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20006 202-466-7656 (fax)
email: pdesai@mediaaccess.org
No direct calls, please
This position is unpaid.