Senior Program Associate

Description:

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) is seeking a senior staff member to assist with its program activities in the following areas:

Arts Advocacy: NCAC’s Arts Advocacy project is the only national project dedicated to working directly with individual artists and curators involved in censorship disputes. Its main goal is to protect artists' rights to participate in the democratic dialogue by defending public access to their work and supporting their ability to freely express views that might be unpopular or controversial.

Censorship of science: NCAC’s Knowledge Project on Science and Censorship investigates, researches and documents examples of government censorship of scientific research, such as the suppression of evidence about global warming, and advocates for the public’s right of access to information that affects health, safety, and welfare.

Youth Programs: NCAC’s youth programs advocate for the rights of students to access information by opposing attempts to remove books from school libraries and curricula, to cancel high school theater productions, and to unreasonably restrict the information available to students online. It also protects students’ rights to express themselves whether through art, theater, poems, clothes or posters. It also sponsors an annual film contest for teens.

Responsibilities include:

-Responding to censorship incidents in schools, libraries, or public exhibition spaces by: confirming facts, contacting reporters, public officials, teachers, curators and librarians; drafting letters to public officials and letters to the editor; communicating with public officials about model policies and procedures and explaining resources; and assisting students, parents, teachers, writers, artists and others in defending their rights.

-Reporting on censorship incidents in Censorship News (NCAC’s newsletter), on the NCAC website and on NCAC’s blog.

-Developing educational materials and resources for publication in hard copy and online.

-Maintain a web page database with links to articles highlighting issues related to free speech restrictions in scientific research.

-Assisting in drafting grant proposals and reports.

Qualifications:

Excellent communication, writing, research, and analytical skills. Interest in and knowledge of the First Amendment and censorship issues.

M.A. or a minimum of four years relevant experience required, Ph.D. or J.D. preferred.

Basic computer and web skills. Knowledge of and experience with social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs) expected.

Ability to work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Be self-motivated, collaborative, and flexible; comfortable working in a small, non-profit office with limited support staff. Strong organizational skills, initiative, and a sense of humor.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter indicating salary requirements with a resume and at least one writing sample to jobsearch@ncac.org. (NO PHONE INQUIRIES, PLEASE.) Applications will be considered as they are received.

Salary is proportionate with experience and in line with salaries in the non-profit sector. Good benefits package.

The National Coalition Against Censorship is an alliance of 50 national non-profits, including religious, artistic, labor, professional and educational organizations, devoted to defending freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression. It promotes First Amendment rights and values through education, advocacy, and activism. Founded in 1974, NCAC is one of the oldest civil liberties coalitions in the country.

NCAC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER