Careers

Current Job Openings:

We are hiring a Communications Associate to join CUNY ISLG’s growing communications department. The Communications Associate will play a critical role in helping the Institute grow and refine its communications practices and protocols, working with the Senior Communications Associate to manage a range of content releases, run our social media channels, oversee our blog, develop communications resources for the organization, and run point on other internal and external communications efforts.

This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial- and civic-minded, early-career communications professional interested in growing and applying communications skills in a public policy setting, and for a range of audiences that include government officials, community providers, funders, researchers, and the general public. This is also an excellent opportunity to develop an understanding of government policymaking in New York City and nationally, in a number of areas including criminal legal reform, racial equity, infrastructure, government operations, and finance.

The Communications Associate will report to the Senior Communications Associate and will closely work with them as well as project staff and other colleagues across the organization on a range of tasks. These tasks fall under four general buckets, and may include:

• Editorial & Content Development + Design

  • Guiding the editorial development—including outlining, editing, and proofing—of long-form products (i.e., reports, briefs) written by research and policy staff, to ensure they adhere to organizational standards, are cohesive, and are audience-appropriate

  • Drafting/editing supplementary products (i.e., blogs, fact sheets, e-blasts) that highlight the impact of our projects and organization overall

  • Flowing copy into branded templates (i.e., on InDesign)

  • Editing and updating content for CUNY ISLG’s website or sites it manages, aligning the website with changing context, needs, and trends in the field

• Social Media

  • Developing and posting regular content to CUNY ISLG’s Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts, including the creation of graphics (i.e., on Canva) as needed

  • Monitoring and reporting analytics data on said accounts

• Dissemination & Publicity

  • Assisting in the external release planning for CUNY ISLG products, including

    • Crafting talking points and outreach that supports a project’s earned media strategy

    • Drafting/editing press releases and op-eds

    • Supporting sourcing outlets and reporters

• Growing Communications Capacity

  • Collaborating with project staff on new ideas, approaches, and tools for communicating with CUNY ISLG’s audiences

  • Helping develop organization-wide communications resources and protocols

This position is hybrid and based in New York City. CUNY ISLG staff work out of the Midtown office two days a week of their choosing; the Communications Associate would overlap at least one in-office day with the Senior Communications Associate.

We would love to hear from you if:

• You have a BA or higher (or equivalent experience) and 2-6 years of demonstrated professional experience in communications, journalism, public relations, copywriting/marketing, and/or social media

• You have excellent writing skills, including experience drafting original content as well as constructively editing the work of colleagues

• You are familiar with:

  • Content management systems, such as Squarespace and/or WordPress

  • Design tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign and Canva)

  • Major social platforms

• You can get up to speed with and quickly adopt CUNY ISLG’s “voice”

• You have knowledge of NYC’s social service, criminal legal, and/or related system landscape (not a requirement but a plus)

• You have excellent time management skills and experience working in deadline-driven environments

• You can prioritize and work on a number of tasks simultaneously

• You have an exceptional commitment to accuracy and attention to detail

This is a full-time position in New York City with a salary range of $65,000-$85,000 and excellent benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance

• Paid vacation and personal days

• Paid sick leave

• CUNY tuition reimbursement program

• Pre-tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs

• Family/parental leave

• Life insurance

• A retirement plan with employer contribution.

• Our staff also benefit from:

  • A positive work/life balance.

  • Opportunities for advancement within the organization.

  • Engagement with the broader CUNY network.

  • Working with organizational leadership who have years of significant public sector and policymaking expertise.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=VB-2402-006110. You will need to submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interests, and attach your resume. Questions can be addressed to info@islg.cuny.edu.