About CLASP

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty organization advancing policy solutions that work for people with low incomes and people of color. We advocate for public policies and programs at the federal, state, and local levels that reduce poverty, improve the lives of people with low incomes, and advance racial and economic justice. Our solutions directly address the barriers individuals and families face because of race, ethnicity, low income, and immigration status.

For more than 50 years, we have kept our vision alive through trusted expertise on policy and strategy, knowledgeable and committed staff, partnerships with directly impacted people and grassroots leaders, and approaches to economic and racial justice that are bold, innovative, and inclusive.

CLASP is organized around five policy teams: Child Care and Early Education; Education, Labor & Worker Justice; Income and Work Supports; Immigration and Immigrant Families; and Youth Policy. The Youth Policy team houses two cross-cutting bodies of work focused on the justice system and mental health.

CLASP Values for Racial Equity

We understand that inclusion is only the first step toward fostering sustainable racial equity, in our society and organizational culture. At CLASP, we value the importance of including multiple perspectives in shaping our organizational culture and engaging in our policy and advocacy efforts. However, we also know that to move beyond inclusion and achieve true racial equity, we must be intentional in centering and prioritizing the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of people of color. For true and sustainable change to happen in our country, historically white-founded and led policy and advocacy organizations must commit to full and immersive racial equity.

About CLASP’s Communications Team

The communications team is responsible for providing strategic communications guidance and overall tactical support to CLASP’s policy teams. Among the key communications functions provided by the team are editorial support and review, media relations, digital/website and social media engagement, event support, and marketing/writing support for CLASP fundraising efforts.

We are adding a new writer/editor position to what will soon be a seven-person communications team.

The writer/editor will be responsible for providing editorial review of blogs, briefs, fact sheets, reports, op-eds, donor materials, etc. In addition, the person in this role will draft original content (often for authorship by others). This may include congressional testimony, op-eds, letters to the editor, press releases, newsletters, and speeches—along with materials that may include executive summaries and one-page fact sheets that will be derivatives of CLASP resources.

This position is based in the Washington, D.C., office and will report to the director of communications. CLASP is currently working under a hybrid office model.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, write, and edit effective written materials that advance CLASP’s mission and provide strategic guidance to staff for achieving policy priorities.
• Create executive summaries, fact sheets, one-pagers, and other materials that are derivatives of longer pieces written by policy teams.
• Ghostwrite op-eds, speeches, and presentations for organizational senior leaders and others.
• Serve as primary editor of CLASP materials, reviewing for content, clarity, accessible language, organizational style, grammar, and punctuation.
• Write and edit with an eye toward racial equity to ensure CLASP’s materials properly reflect how racism and inequities intertwine with the nation’s public policies.
• Collaborate with the senior media relations manager to draft relevant materials: press releases and statements, quotes for others’ news releases, talking points for interviews, etc.
• Work closely with policy teams to conceptualize materials and resources that advance our policy and advocacy goals.
• Update and maintain the organization’s style guide, which includes our racial equity glossary.
• Support and back up colleagues on the communications team as needed, through occasional project management, social media content development and website posting.
• Assist professional development sessions on writing for staff—both individually and in groups.

Requirements

• BA/BS and at least six years of communications-related experience focused on writing and editing. In addition, candidates with some combination of college and/or work experience who can clearly demonstrate proficiency in the skills outlined in this announcement may be considered.
• Skilled and experienced in writing, editing, and strategizing around written and visual material such as op-eds, blogs, advisories, briefs, fact sheets, and reports.
• Facility with AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style, which serve as the basis for CLASP’s style guide.
• Deep proficiency with grammar, punctuation, and usage—including an understanding of current trends and rule changes in copyediting.
• Experience working in policy/advocacy communications in the nonprofit policy arena and a team-oriented and highly collaborative environment.
• Expert writing to translate complicated, jargon-laden topics into clear, easy-to-understand language.
• Skilled editing that probes for clarity, from the lead to the endnotes.
• Excellent written and oral communicator who is comfortable working and engaging with knowledgeable policy expert colleagues.
• Comfortable with the occasional need for fast-paced rapid response to an evolving and changing policy landscape.
• Ability to multi-task and manage several projects at once.
• Confidence and sound judgment.
• Proficiency with communications technology and tools like Microsoft Office, Excel, and Google Suite.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) platforms (e.g., WordPress) and creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Clouds programs including Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) is a plus, but not required.

COVID Requirements:

Full COVID 19 vaccinations required for new hires effective February 2022 or required weekly negative COVID test (for non-vaccinated employees) with documentation shared with Human Resources.

Compensation:

Salary range $66,000-77,000 (Salary is commensurate with experience.)

CLASP offers exceptional benefits, including several health insurance options (most that currently require no employee-paid premiums). In addition, we provide the following benefits that currently require no employee-paid premiums: dental and vision insurance, life insurance,  short- and long-term disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. Additionally, we offer a 403(b) retirement program with employer contributions, flexible spending accounts, and a no-cost gym onsite at our D.C. office. Finally, we provide generous vacation (4 weeks in the first year), paid sick leave (3 weeks annually), two personal days a year, paid family and medical leave, and holiday schedules.

Application Process:

Please send a cover letter explaining your interest in CLASP’s mission and why you are the best candidate for this position, along with your resume and 2-3 writing samples (press releases, media advisories, messaging documents, blogs, op-eds, statements, or original pieces you authored).

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. People of color are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. You must send all requested materials and follow the outlined above to be considered. No phone calls, please.

CLASP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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