Communications Specialist

### External Description
**Communications Specialist**

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world, seeks a Communications Specialist for our Tysons (McLean), VA office. ALPA represents more than 77,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. The Communications Specialist provides communications support to the Association’s collective bargaining goals and other ALPA-wide communications initiatives. They will apply their skills to assist pilot groups and Master Executive Councils (MECs), as needed, during all phases of contract negotiations, special events, and other issues that require additional resources. They will provide professional support in all areas of communications in close coordination with the supervisor of pilot group support.

Day-to-day, they provide project management and accomplish individual assignments to help the Pilot Group Support team ensure that specific projects and campaigns are completed in a timely fashion. They will also work with committee and pilot volunteers, assisting them with their communications efforts in the areas of written and electronic publications, website content, promotional products, and social media. They will assist in planning and executing events, such as informational picketing, rallies, and pilot unity building events.

This position coordinates closely with other staff in the Pilot Group Support section of the Communications Department. They must exercise initiative, possess strong organizational skills, build relationships with the Association’s professional staff and pilot leaders, and ensure that project benchmarks and deadlines are met. They must also exhibit solid writing, problem-solving, consensus-building, and interpersonal skills to establish credibility with pilots and staff alike.

Interested applicants are requested to submit online portfolio link(s) showing previous work.

**Travel:** 10 – 15%.

ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace. We prohibit discrimination, harassment, and harmful behavior of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, caste, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics as outlined in federal or provincial laws. We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

ALPA is a member-driven, staff-supported union with two internal professional unions.

### Minimum Requirements:
– Bachelor’s degree in relevant area, e.g., Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field, from an accredited college or university required; or, the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
– Three (3) years of prior experience in a communications role at ALPA or in an equivalent advocacy position elsewhere, five (5) or more years strongly preferred.
– Working knowledge of social media (organic and paid), media relations, advertising (digital, outdoor, and print), video, email, and web support. At management discretion, significant and wide-ranging, directly applicable experience may be substituted for some of the above requirements.
– Sound writing skills and attention to detail when reviewing and editing written materials are required.
– Strong social media relations skills required.
– Solid organizational, communications, and interpersonal skills required.
– Strong time management skills, able to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment, and transition easily between projects a must.
– Knowledge of desktop publishing, presentation, and graphic design, with a willingness to learn new software applications to enhance effectiveness.
– Software: Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) highly desirable. Familiarity with a web content management system (CMS), email management system, and/or HTML software a plus.

### Physical Demands:
Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

– Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet. Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.
– Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally). Also includes occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.
– Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.). While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs. (Assistance may not always be available.)

ALPA offers competitive salaries with terrific benefits, including:
– 401k Plan with Non-Elective Employer Contribution of 11% plus 2% into a Market-Based Cash Balance Plan after 180 days of employment. No employee contribution required! The 401k plan includes a Roth option and 4-year vesting schedule.
– Generous health care benefits on day one – PPO, Kaiser (where available), and a High Deductible Health Plan which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for employee, spouse, and/or dependent children;
– 15 days paid vacation and 12 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year;
– Generous sick and bereavement leave;
– Competitive parental leave;
– Company-paid premiums for disability and life insurance;
– Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts;
– Retiree health plan;
– Education Assistance Program; and,
– Optional benefits including pet insurance, excess life insurance, legal plan, and qualified transportation fringe benefits, where available.
– Partial remote work opportunities.

Learn more here