Job and Internship Opportunities

Reports to: Director of Communications

Position Summary

The Communications and Development Coordinator will work with the Director of Communications and Development Director to generate support for and raise awareness of SMYAL’s work empowering LGBTQ+ youth. While this position works most closely with the communications and development teams, it will require cross-departmental collaboration with SMYAL’s programmatic departments including housing, mental health services, and youth development and community engagement. The ideal candidate would be passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and using communications as a tool to educate, inspire, and engage diverse audiences.

Position Responsibilities

Communications

• Communications Strategy
  • Collaborate with Director of Communications to design and implement SMYAL’s overall communications strategy;
  • Assist in the creation and execution of external communications campaigns including end-of-year fundraising, days/months of observance, awareness/education campaigns, etc.;
• Community Outreach
  • Prepare printed materials for community outreach efforts including flyers and palm cards;
  • Identify opportunities for SMYAL to increase visibility and awareness of our programs, services, and community support;
  • Represent and be able to publicly speak about SMYAL’s work at events, workshops, conferences, and other arenas.
• Email and Social Media
  • Lead the creation of SMYAL’s two monthly newsletters;
  • Support preparation and circulation of donor communications for fundraising. This will be in partnership with the Communications and Development Teams;
  • Create content for social media including graphics, videos, and copy and research relevant articles, blog posts, and content to share on social media channels;
  • Manage a calendar of annual Days of Observance and coordinate campaigns with programmatic teams where necessary
• Storytelling and Impact
  • Collaborate with programmatic departments to help tell the story of SMYAL through speaking with youth participants and staff and conveying information through compelling written publications, graphics, etc.

Development

• Event Management
  • Assist in the planning and execution of in-person SMYAL fundraising events throughout the year to include pre-event promotions, logistical preparations, and on-site event execution;
  • Provide support for SMYAL’s signature event of the year, the SMYAL Fall Brunch, to include auction donor outreach and cultivation, ticket sales outreach, logistical preparations, onsite event execution, and other responsibilities with this major fundraising event with more than 800 guests;
  • Provide support to outside organizations who conduct fundraisers for SMYAL to include onsite event execution as well as providing marketing materials and support to organizations leading up to the event;
• Donor Relations
  • Provide administrative support for donor engagement to include preparation of thank you notes, spreadsheet creation and editing, and donor outreach via phone and email;
  • Conduct donor meetings, phone calls, and tailored emails, as needed.
• Volunteer Coordination
  • Serve as point of contact for volunteers at development/fundraising events;
  • Coordinate with corporate and non-profit groups in their volunteer activities with SMYAL;
  • Prepare and distribute monthly volunteer newsletter.

Position Qualifications

• An understanding of and commitment to LGBTQ+ issues, youth empowerment, diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Two or more years of relevant communications and development experience;
• Excellent writing, editing, and communications messaging.
• Strong project management skills, including attention to detail and time management.
• Experience working in a team and with partner organizations to develop and implement joint strategies.
• Ability to lift and move items up to 30 pounds at events preferred;
• General computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Google Apps (Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.);
• Comfortable speaking with various public audiences;
• Graphic design or knowledge of Canva is a plus.

To Apply

Applicants may send resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line Communications and Development Coordinator. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received with an ideal start date of Mid-February/Early-March 2023. No phone calls, please.

Salary range is $45,000-$50,000 with excellent benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, vacation and sick time. This position works both virtually and in person at our main offices, located in Washington, DC.

Position Summary

This will be an eight month paid part-time fellowship, from February to September. During this time, Youth Fellows will be provided with access to professional development opportunities while assisting the SMYAL team with crucial administrative and programmatic tasks, as well as contributing to SMYAL’s decision making and overall growth. There is one Youth Fellowship position open: The Drop In Programs Youth Fellowship. All Youth Fellows must be between 16 and 24 years old. Fellows must have an interest in supporting and empowering the LGBTQ community and communities of color.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist Programs staff in the daily operations of our drop in, after-school, and Summer programming.
• Co-create, plan, and facilitate youth programming with Drop-In Programs Manager
• Demonstrate personal and professional commitment to racial and gender equity, accessibility, as well as community safety and accountability
• With the help of the Drop In Programs Manager, increase peer education by developing culturally relevant workshops. (Fellows will be required to develop and give at least four workshops during their time at SMYAL)
• With the help of the Drop In Programs Manager, spearhead outreach and recruitment of youth for SMYAL programs and events.
• Develop and strengthen other skills they have previously specified as an area of interest, such as activism, social media management, development, etc.
• Assist with planning, as well as participating in, our annual 4 day, 3 night Activist Camp (Now virtually known as Rise Up!). Youth fellows are expected to co-facilitate workshops and assist staff as needed.
• Attend and help Facilitate QChat discussion, twice a month.
• Youth program facilitation and co-facilitation
• Data entry and other administrative tasks
• Will provide weekly progress reports and updates
• Table events to connect with youth and provider

Fellows Will Be Provided With

• Training in leadership skills, advocacy, and positive youth development
• Opportunities to provide input into SMYAL’s decision making
• Access to lectures, webinars, summits, and/or conferences

Desired Qualifications

• Youth Fellows must be between 16 and 24 years old
• Prior experience working with youth ages 13-24 (tutoring, mentoring, sports, arts programs, camp,
  babysitting, etc.)
• Interest in, or prior experience, working or volunteering in non-profit and/or educational settings
• Excited to share personal hobbies and talents with youth (art, music, books, theater, games, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; Comfort facilitating group discussions
• Ability to navigate multiple projects/responsibilities and deadlines
• Excited to be part of a team and work collaboratively
• Knowledge about queer and trans youth communities, intersectional frameworks, and knowledge of youth development framework highly desired
• Must be sensitive to issues of identity, including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Must demonstrate a commitment to advancing racial justice and gender equity.
• Queer and trans individuals, women, people of color, and people of all abilities are strongly encouraged to apply

Availability

The Drop-Ins Youth Fellow will be expected to work 20 hours a week, with some weekends required. The Fellowship will begin in February 2023, and end in September 2023 (exact dates to be determined based on SMYAL and fellow availability). The Fellow must be available during Drop Ins programming times: currently virtual programming on Wednesdays from 4:30-6pm and Thursdays 5-7pm EST and in-person programming on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7pm EST. The remaining hours will be determined together between the Fellow and Manager. The Fellow must also be available for weekly Staff and Team meetings on Thursdays and weekly check-in meetings with the Manager.

To Apply

The Youth Fellow will be paid an hourly rate of $17 an hour.

Applicants may send resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line Drop-In Programs Youth Fellow. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received. No phone calls, please. This position works both virtually and in person at our main offices, located in Washington, DC.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. SMYAL believes in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as bringing your authentic self to the workplace. So if you are excited about this position but your past experiences do not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may be just the right person for this or other positions.