State Communications Strategist

## About The Clean Slate Initiative

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) is a national, bipartisan organization advancing policies that automate and expand eligibility for record sealing. Our work helps ensure that a past arrest or conviction does not remain a lifelong barrier to employment, housing, education, and full participation in civic life.

Today, one in three people in the United States has a record. For millions, that record limits their opportunities, even long after they’ve completed their sentence and remained crime-free. Our vision is a society where no one is defined by their past, and everyone has a fair shot to achieve their full potential.

Clean Slate laws have been enacted in 14 states and Washington D.C., impacting more than 18 million people. We work alongside partners, directly impacted individuals, and community leaders to shape policy, drive implementation, and reframe the public conversation around second chances — turning hope into opportunity.

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## About the Opportunity

CSI is hiring two State Communications Strategists to lead the development, execution, and optimization of strategic communications supporting our state work. We are hiring for two distinct focus areas:

– **State Communications Strategist – Campaigns**, who will support active state legislative campaigns.
– **State Communications Strategist – Implementation**, who will support colleagues and state partners in states with newly enacted state laws, including increasing knowledge and awareness among impacted individuals and communities.

People hired for these positions will craft and support communications strategies that drive public awareness and mobilize support for Clean Slate policies. They will partner closely with our Director of Campaign Communications, other members of the Marketing & Communications team, campaign strategists, implementation managers, and external advocacy partners.

Depending on the position, they will support either Clean Slate campaigns or implementation efforts at the intersection of marketing, communications, and strategy—advancing high-impact partnerships, digital engagement, earned media, and partner communications.

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## Responsibilities

– Serve as CSI’s representative on communications working groups in state coalitions.
– Develop and maintain public-facing communications and educational resources that support CSI’s emerging notification practice by helping impacted individuals understand record sealing relief and navigate the process of checking or confirming whether their records have been sealed.
– Provide hands-on support for partners as they create educational materials (web, flyers, social media, etc.) for impacted individuals after Clean Slate laws are passed.
– Create media strategies for legislative and implementation successes and to influence government actors during legislative campaigns or when there are implementation problems.
– Serve as the primary communications partner to state coalitions, building trusted relationships while supporting the development of collaborative communications plans, messaging, and opportunities to amplify state efforts through CSI channels.
– Collaborate with CSI campaign strategists and implementation managers to ensure communications are aligned with legislative strategy, implementation goals, and partner needs.
– Collaborate with partners to expand their visibility and media confidence by helping them craft compelling stories, connect with journalists, and develop long-term media relationships that position them as reliable and trusted sources for journalists.
– Coordinate content creation and deployment: collateral (flyers, one-pagers, toolkits), digital assets, video/story assets, campaign microsites, etc.
– Create and disseminate outreach guidance, templates, and training materials for coalition partners that are informed by best practices.
– Serve as a subject-matter contributor and communications advisor to internal teams and external stakeholders, guiding partner organizations, coalition members, and state teams in communications best practices.

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## Qualifications

### Required

– Minimum 5–7 years of strategic marketing/communications experience, preferably in a nonprofit, advocacy, or policy-campaign setting.
– Proven ability to develop and implement integrated communications plans that include digital, earned media, partner/collaborator channels, and storytelling.
– Demonstrated success in education-oriented communications: translating complex guidance into accessible and usable information.
– Strong writing and editing skills: able to translate complex policy/data into accessible, compelling messages for multiple audiences.
– Demonstrated success in educational or issue-oriented communications strategies: aligning communications strategy with organizational, legislative, and post-legislative goals.
– Strong collaboration skills: able to partner across teams (campaigns, research/data, program, external partners) and manage multiple stakeholders.
– Solid analytical and metrics-driven mindset: comfortable interpreting data, setting KPIs, and adjusting strategy accordingly.
– Commitment to equity, inclusion, and centering directly impacted voices in narrative work.
– Ability to work in a remote environment, across time zones, with minimal supervision and strong self-management.

### Preferred

– Experience working in or with state/federal policy campaigns, legislative or advocacy environments.
– Background in narrative change, brand building, and social justice/justice-reform communications.
– Prior experience with public relations and media placements (national or regional).
– Familiarity with and passion for the mission of Clean Slate, criminal legal system reform, and second-chance initiatives.
– Lived experience (or close family experience) with the criminal legal system is valued at CSI.

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## Success Metrics

– Build and facilitate active state communications working groups.
– Foster strong, trusted partnerships with state communications leads.
– Develop collaborative communications plans aligned with campaign goals.
– Increase participation of directly impacted leaders in communications efforts.
– Drive effective use of CSI messaging, narrative, and communications resources.
– Ensure timely, consistent communication and aligned messaging across state coalitions.
– Strengthen partners’ communications, media, and storytelling capabilities.

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## Compensation and Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, a 6% employer match towards 401k retirement, pre-tax transportation benefits, and paid holidays, vacation, sick, and casual time off. The Clean Slate Initiative is committed to transparent and fair compensation. The hiring range for this position is **$90,000–$95,000 per year**.

The final salary within this range will be determined based on qualifications and relevant experience. Once an offer is made, CSI does not negotiate the compensation package.

This is a full-time, exempt, remote position. CSI is location agnostic within the United States, though hybrid or in-office work may be discussed for candidates near the Orlando office.

You will need to:

– Reside in the United States and be authorized to work in the United States.
– Work collaboratively with a team across time zones.
– Be close to a major airport with the ability to travel approximately 10–15%.
– Attend required onsite planning meetings at least twice a year in various locations.
– Attend one all-staff learning trip and the annual convening each year.

CSI is a 501(c)(3) public entity that passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and expands who is eligible for clearance. CSI is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and inclusive.

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## How to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to review CSI’s website: **cleanslateinitiative.org**.

Interested candidates may submit their application via the Talent Portal. Questions should be directed to **[email protected]**.

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## Tentative Timeline

– **Application Period:** July 21, 2026 – August 11, 2026
– Applications reviewed continuously; early submission encouraged.
– **First Interviews:** Weeks of August 17, August 24, and August 31, 2026
– **In-Basket Exercise:** After first interviews
– **Panel Interviews:** Weeks of September 14 and September 21, 2026
– **Finalist Interview with CEO:** Week of September 28, 2026
– **Reference Checks:** Week of September 28, 2026
– **Offer Extension:** Week of October 5, 2026
– **Tentative Start Date:** October 19, 2026

CSI reserves the right to adjust the timeline.

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## Reasonable Accommodations

CSI provides equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the hiring process, contact **[email protected]**.

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## Other Employment Standards

Applicants must have work authorization that does not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. Candidates will not be required to disclose sealed or expunged records.

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**Pay Range: $90,000.00 to $95,000.00 Annually**