JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Policy Advocacy and Media Outreach Specialist - Close High Side Coalition
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OpenDoors is hiring a 1 year, part-time Policy Advocacy and Media Outreach Specialist to work closely with coalition volunteers on an initiative to end the use of long-term solitary confinement in Rhode Island’s prisons, close the ACI’s High Security Center and reinvest state funding into meaningful changes, informed by those with direct experience with incarceration. The Policy Advocacy and Media Outreach Specialist will work closely with OpenDoors’ Co-Executive Director and Policy Specialist, as well as volunteers from other local agencies such as The Rhode Island Center for Justice, The Formerly Incarcerated Union of Rhode Island, and other student volunteers and allies.
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The Policy Advocacy and Media Outreach Specialist will be responsible for the following:
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Conducting political advocacy work, which includes organizing lobbying volunteers, organizing the preparation of testimony, and direct lobbying to legislators.
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Coordinating public relations for the campaign, including connecting with media and facilitating media coverage about the progress of the campaign and events the coalition organizes.
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This may include the organizing of directly impacted volunteers and spokespeople, experts in the field of mental and medical health, experts in the field of corrections practices and solitary confinement reform, and connecting them all to media outlets for interviews, discussions, etc.
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This may also include contributing to the organizing of media content created by the coalition and trusted community media outlets (promotional videos, news articles and op-eds, etc.).
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Coalition building with various other stakeholders:
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Outreach and relationship building with other related local organizations, directly impacted communities, legislators and representatives, and stakeholders within Rhode Island’s criminal legal system.
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Weekly attendance of coalition meetings for planning, strategy, and decision making purposes.
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Requirements:
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Some experience with media work, political advocacy, or lobbying is preferred but not required.
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Computer literacy skills such as fluency with email and Google software (Docs, Drive, Sheets) are preferred.
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Preference will be given to applicants who have been impacted by incarceration and solitary confinement, either directly or through close family or friends.
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There is office space and computer access available, and some of the work can be done remotely if you have access to a computer and wifi at home.
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Schedule Hours​: This is a 20 hour/week position that will begin in January of 2020 and last for 12 months. Ideally, the Policy Advocacy and Media Outreach Specialist will be available for weekly meetings at 5pm on Thursdays, but this time is subject to change based on availability in the new year.
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Rate: ​This is a temporary staff position that will pay $14/hr plus an additional $1.75/hr healthcare stipend.
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If you are interested, please email ​admin@opendoorsri.org​ with a resume, your availability, a brief statement about why you are interested in the job, and your contact information.
Community Organizer - Close High Side Coalition
OpenDoors is hiring a 1 year, part-time Community Organizer to work closely with the Close High Side coalition volunteers on an initiative to end the use of long-term solitary confinement in Rhode Island’s prisons, close the ACI’s High Security Center, and reinvest state funding into meaningful changes, informed by those with direct experience with incarceration. The Community Organizer will work closely with OpenDoors’ Co-Executive Director and Policy Specialist, as well as volunteers from other local agencies such as The Rhode Island Center for Justice, The Formerly Incarcerated Union of Rhode Island, and other volunteers and allies.
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The Community Organizer will be responsible for the following:
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Expanding the membership of directly impacted individuals and those with lived experience in High Security among the coalition. This includes:
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Working with the coalition’s existing outside pen pals to safely expand the inside coalition membership.
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Creating and co-facilitating an accessible meeting space for the family and loved ones of those inside High Security, in which social and emotional support can be offered and empowerment can be found through discussion of organizing decisions.
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Helping to convene state-wide community education opportunities and public events (remote and, when safe, in-person) for people to learn about the campaign. This will include outreach using existing coalition networks such as schools, churches, community agencies, and neighborhood associations.
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Helping organize actions/demonstrations to attract wide public attention to the campaign.
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Other tasks and outreach as the coalition grows and goes through different stages, to include things such: gathering petition signatures, and facilitating interviews, discussions, and/or teach-ins.
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Attending and periodically facilitating weekly coalition meetings for planning, strategy, and decision making purposes.
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Requirements:
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Some experience with community organizing is preferred but not required.
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Computer literacy skills such as fluency in Google software (Docs, Drive, Sheets) are preferred.
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Preference will be given to applicants who have been impacted by incarceration and
solitary confinement, either directly or through close family or friends.
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There is office space and computer access available, and some of the work can be done remotely if you have access to a computer and wifi at home.
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Schedule Hours:​ This is a 5-20 hour/week position that will begin in January of 2020 and last for 12 months. There is office space and computer access available, and some of the work can be done remotely if you have access to a computer and wifi at home. Ideally, the Community Organizer will be available for weekly meetings at 5pm on Thursdays, but this time is subject to change based on availability in the new year.
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Rate: ​This is a temporary staff position that will pay $14/hr plus an additional $1.75/hr healthcare stipend.
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If you are interested, please email ​admin@opendoorsri.org​ with a resume, your availability, a brief statement about why you are interested in the position, and your contact information.