Research Communications Assistant/Sr. Research Comms Assistant

Child Trends is seeking a research communications assistant to work as a member of our Client Communications area. The team member will support research translation and dissemination of adolescent health and sexual and reproductive health information, as well as dissemination of research that serves children and families with low incomes. Application reviews will begin immediately.

This position will focus heavily on providing communications and project management support to large projects and collaborating with project leaders to promote research findings and other information through digital communications. A typical day in this role includes crucial project management support such as drafting notes for project staff and clients and tracking staff assignments. This position also involves processing ad hoc requests like drafting messages to our clients’ stakeholders, updating content on websites, or crafting social media posts.

·        Project management

o  Schedules team meetings and prepares agendas.

o  Drafts meetings notes, staff to-dos, and progress reports to clients.

o  Maintains record of project purchases and processes expense reimbursements.

o  Triages client questions and manages ad hoc requests (e.g., website edits, social media posts).

·        Content development

o  Writes drafts of email digests, newsletters, and research reports.

o  Formats print materials such as one-pagers and flyers.

o  Checks data and citations in dissemination materials, such as journal articles, research reports, and other publications.

o  Designs graphics, charts, picture quotes, and other images for publications and presentations.

·        Social media and website management

o  Drafts social media posts and designs graphics with alternative text for users with disabilities.

o  Maintains social media presence for clients, including scheduling and posting content.

o  Conducts routine and ad hoc website maintenance, including editing content and correcting errors.

o  Implements updates to website content and navigation, as needed.

o  Remediates and posts to websites documents to increase accessibility for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

·        Stakeholder engagement

o  Keeps up-to-date stakeholder outreach lists and subscriber lists.

o  Assists with planning virtual and in-person events for government agencies, grantees, scholars, and youth.

o  Prepares event materials, tracks forms and applications, and provides technical support for attendees.

·        B.A. or B.S. in communications, public policy, public health, sociology, psychology, political science, economics, or related field.

·        Great grades and demonstrated record of success.

·        Motivated worker with great organizational skills and strong attention to detail.

·        Strong writing skills, as demonstrated in writing samples.

·        Interest in health equity, sexual and reproductive health, adolescent health, and race equity.

·        Experience with email marketing tools (e.g., Constant Contact, MailChimp), content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress), and social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn).

·        Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word and PowerPoint.

·        Understanding of Google Analytics, HTML, and virtual meeting platforms helpful but not required.

·        Fluency in Spanish a plus.

Locations: Flexible Remote Work; Child Trends’ offices are based in Bethesda, MD; Chapel Hill, NC; Minneapolis, MN. Many Child Trends staff work remotely, and while we are set up to hire remote staff in many states, we are not yet operating everywhere in the US and do not have any overseas operations. We are currently approved to hire full-time staff in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The organization will require time to assess additional set up requirements (e.g., employment and tax law) for locations outside of areas where we are currently approved to hire. Individuals who would like to work from areas outside of the currently approved states, if offered the position should indicate this preference as early as possible in the application process.

Please follow the “apply” link to submit your application. When asked by the system to upload resume, please upload one document that includes your resume, cover letter, transcripts, a writing sample and contact information for three professional references. Materials must be combined into one document in order to be uploaded. If you have any difficulties with this process please email the requested materials to recruitment(at)childtrends.org and make sure to reference the position in the subject line. No phone calls please!

Child Trends is committed to hiring, retaining, and promoting staff who bring a rich diversity of experience to support our mission of improving the lives and prospects of children and youth, especially those made most vulnerable by the effects of historical and ongoing systemic discrimination. Together, we envision a world in which a child’s race, ethnicity, family income, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or any other social identity does not determine how that child will fare in life. Therefore, we approach every aspect of our work with these ideals in mind and encourage professionals who share in our commitment to apply.  

Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disability encouraged to apply.