Careers - National Consumers League

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The National Consumers League, a progressive consumer advocacy organization, seeks staff members who have a strong commitment to public interest work. NCL is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards.

To apply for any of our available positions, please submit cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to ncljobs@nclnet.org.

NCL
1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20006
fax: 202-835-0747
No phone calls please.

Full-time positions

Communications Manager

Executive Assistant/Program Associate

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Communications Manager

The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, is seeking a highly motivated staff member with a strong commitment to public interest work. The League (www.nclnet.org) is a national nonprofit organization that years has been protecting and promoting social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States since 1899. NCL focuses on fraud prevention and education, food and drug safety, teen-consumer literacy, child labor, and fair labor standards.

The primary purpose of the Communications Manager is to effectively promote the National Consumers League, its programs, brand, people, and mission to our varied audiences.

Reporting to NCL’s Vice President Communications, the Communications Manager takes ownership over projects and tasks; coordinates inter-and intra-departmental activities, including ongoing and special projects; gathers and relays information accurately; contributes to strategic planning; and enhances the Communications Department’s ability to function independently and as a service arm to other programs and departments.

A successful Communications Manager at NCL will have: a passion for promoting the public interest; a strong work ethic; excellent attention to detail; high standards for quality communications materials across all channels and formats.

The Communications Manager should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in a related field. The Communications Manager is expected to contribute to and lead communications efforts including, but not limited, to: content production, graphics, social media management, media outreach and public relations, and digital media elements of the department’s work including audio, visual, and virtual events.

KEY REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Superb, professional verbal and written communications skills
Strong graphic design skills (must be able to hit the ground running, producing brochures, logos, one-pagers, newsletters, reports, infographics, etc.)
Experience with WordPress CMS and email marketing platforms generally
Strong interest in and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media
Ability to work independently and on a team
Ability to take initiative to develop new strategies and outside-the-box ideas
Demonstrated project management and time management skills
Creativity, adaptability, and comfortable receiving feedback
Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management and colleagues
Comfortable with a long to-do list and tight deadlines
Experience working in a remote environment and/or reporting to a remote supervisor

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Graphic design and new media management (40%)

Serve as lead on in-house design of digital and print publications and graphics, working with department head on final review and approval.
Manage NCL’s We Can Do This! podcast: coordination of recording time, assist with drafting scripts, working with production vendor, responsible for promoting podcast and growth in listenership.
Take ownership over chronicling NCL activities with visuals by capturing images and effectively organizing / storing them. Will require attending events outside the organization.
Communicate with external vendors and serve as a printer liaison.

Social media and website management (30%)

In partnership with Communications and other staff, manage and write content for NCL’s multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
Monitor analytics and compile reports to present to department head and others. Make recommendations on strategy; seek to grow communities and reach.
Create and execute online campaigns, toolkits to promote NCL activities and encourage NCL’s constituency to engage with the organization.
Help maintain NCL’s main website and blogs.
Work with Communications staff to coordinate support for other program and websites.
Track web analytics of NCL’s websites and identify ways to improve engagements.
Respond to incoming requests from consumers and “contact us” form submissions.

Media relations (10%)

Field reporter inquiries and serve as a point of contact for press, assist with coordination of interviews. Occasionally attend media events or interviews.
Work with program staff to edit and distribute press releases, op-eds, articles, and reports for public release.

Content, messaging, strategy (10%)

Collaborate within department and with external colleagues to enhance organizational communications, approach challenges, manage events, create campaigns, etc.
Create written content for various organizational platforms and channels
Add value to strategic communications planning and content development, understanding the organization’s unique voice, creating appropriate messaging, and helping others on staff develop in this area
Represent Communications Department internally and with VIP audiences, including Board, partners, donors, vendors, etc.

Project management (10%)

Identify opportunities for increasingly independent management of tasks and activities, as well as areas of collaboration between departments.
Responsible for archiving communications publications.

Salary and benefits

Salary based on experience and education, competitive with other nonprofit public interest organizations. Excellent benefits, including health, dental, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), employer transportation contributions, annual and sick leave, and federal holidays. NCL is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply

Please submit cover letter, résumé, and at least two writing samples to ncljobs@nclnet.org and reference “Communications Manager” in the subject line. If selected for hire, candidates must agree to undergo a background check.

Executive Assistant/Program Associate

The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, is seeking a highly qualified and dedicated candidate to serve as Executive Assistant/Program Associate. The Executive Assistant/Program Associate provides administrative support to the executive director and programs where needed.

Responsibilities

Schedule appointments, conference calls, and meetings for Executive Director (ED)
Manage calendars and travel arrangements for the ED
Prepare travel expense reports and reimbursement submissions for the ED
Organize and maintain electronic and hardcopy files for the ED
Take meeting notes and draft correspondence
Provide other general administrative support
Propose and execute staff engagement activities, including identifying meeting dates, locations, ordering catering and awards.
Provide administrative support as needed for the Food program.
Assist with research on policy issues
Take meeting notes and prepare minutes for the Food Program
Create and maintain an alcohol labeling database
Create and maintain a Facebook page on alcohol labeling
Develop a database on policy experts
Manage the logistics for the Food program, including identifying meeting dates, locations, ordering catering and producing program materials.
Compile daily clips email for staff and periodic media impressions reports
Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bachelor degree or equivalent strongly preferred
Minimum of 2 years of experience providing administrative support in a complex, fast-paced environment
Detail-oriented and proven ability to work well under deadline
Excellent time management and organizational skills, including ability and flexibility to:
- Work on multiple projects with different task masters
- Complete projects accurately and on time
- Address tasks that arise unexpectedly
- Take proactive actions
Strong oral and written communication skills
Substantial experience handling logistics
Substantial experience managing complex executive calendars
Ability to act with discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information
Sound interpersonal skills including ability and flexibility to:
- Remain calm under pressure
- Work well both independently and with a team
- Adept at interacting cooperatively and productively with varying personalities
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
Experience working in non-profit organizations preferred

Salary and Benefits

Salary based on experience and education, competitive with other nonprofit public interest organizations. Excellent benefits, including health, dental, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), employer transportation contributions, planned telework, annual and sick leave, and federal holidays. NCL is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply

Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to ncljobs@nclnet.org and reference “Executive Assistant” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. If selected for hire, candidates must agree to undergo a background check.

Public Policy Associate

The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, is seeking a public policy associate to assist in the management of the Fraud & Public Policy department’s portfolio of advocacy priorities. Reporting to NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud, the ideal candidate will have a passion for promoting the public interest, a strong desire to advocate on a diverse array of public policy issues, and a strong background in research and writing for both external and internal audiences.

Due to COVID-19 social distancing protocols, the new hire may opt to perform some or all of the position’s responsibilities remotely through January 10, 2022.

Key responsibilities of the position include:

Assisting in the management of a diverse portfolio of pressing consumer protection advocacy issues including (but not limited to) automatic renewal clauses, live event ticketing, financial services, insurance, debt collection, pyramid schemes, airlines, telecommunications, privacy and data security;
Developing and maintaining strong and collaborative relationships with key policymakers in Congress and state legislatures as well as federal Executive Branch agencies;
Researching, writing, and editing impactful twice-monthly email newsletters, a monthly fraud alert, twice-monthly blog postings, fact sheets, press releases, Congressional and agency letters;
Organizing quarterly meetings of NCL’s Alliance Against Fraud coalition;
Assisting the Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud in managing the work of interns and public policy fellows;

Qualifications

1-3 years of experience in public policy advocacy settings, particularly on the Hill, at a federal agency, think tank, or progressive public interest organizations;
Excellent research and writing skills;
A demonstrated passion and commitment to public interest advocacy;
BA/BS in political science, journalism, communications, international studies or related fields;
Excellent organizational abilities, strong attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple, competing priorities;
Experience managing or working with internal and external teams;
Ability to excel at working independently, a self-starter;

Salary and benefits

Salary based on experience and education, competitive with other nonprofit public interest organizations. Excellent benefits, including health, dental, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), employer SmarTrip contributions, annual and sick leave, and federal holidays. NCL is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply

Please submit cover letter, résumé, and at least two writing samples to ncljobs@nclnet.org and reference “Public Policy Associate” in the subject line. If selected for hire, candidates must agree to undergo a background check.

Internships

Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud Intern (2021)
Child Labor Policy Intern (2021)
Communications Intern (2021)
LifeSmarts Intern (2021)

Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud Intern Full or Part Time (2021)

The National Consumers League seeks a motivated intern who wants to work with a nonprofit advocacy group. The League is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards. The intern will assist NCL staff with ongoing projects and research related to its public policy, telecommunications and anti-fraud campaigns. Such projects include researching and drafting content for NCL’s campaign websites, drafting fraud and telecommunications-related content for NCL’s LifeSmarts competition, assisting in organizing a national anti-fraud conference, and helping to coordinate meetings of the Alliance Against Fraud (AAF), a national coalition of non-profit, government, and private sector organizations dedicated to fighting Internet and telemarketing fraud.This internship will provide an opportunity to:

Gain knowledge about a variety of public policies affecting consumers, particularly regarding consumer fraud;
Become familiar with the agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders active in combating consumer fraud;
Understand coordination and management of a national coalition; and
Be involved in initiatives that advance the public interest and help keep millions of consumers safe from scams and con artists.

In addition, a National Consumers League public policy, telecommunications and fraud internship provides the following areas of experience:

Because the League’s staff is small, interns are an integral part, and are given responsibilities outside of their research duties, including: keeping project files up-to-date and providing limited office support (occasional data input, mailing, and filing).
The League requires from its staff and its interns a high level of oral and written communication skills. Interns are frequently called upon to write brief reports for NCL staff to provide background information on various issues.

Internships are unpaid. We ask that interns make a minimum time commitment of eight weeks, spending at least 20 hours per week working at the League. Of course, we welcome longer time commitments. Work hours per week are flexible for longer-term assignments. Our goal is to tailor your internship to suit your specific needs. The League is happy to consider the particular interests of applicants and will develop specific projects, complete paperwork, etc., as needed for class credit.

Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006, fax: 202-835-0747, email: ncljobs@nclnet.org.

Child Labor Policy Intern Full or Part Time (2021)

The National Consumers League (NCL) seeks a motivated intern who wants to work with the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), a 31-member group that serves as a national network for the exchange of information about child labor; provides a forum and a unified voice on protecting working minors and ending child labor exploitation; and develops informational and educational outreach to the public and private sectors to combat child labor abuses and promote progressive initiatives and legislation. The CLC has both a U.S. and international focus.

The intern will assist with ongoing CLC projects and research related to our work. The CLC’s domestic agenda includes several related initiatives to strengthening protections for working youth, with specific focus on children working as migrant and seasonal farmworkers, child trafficking for sex work and forced labor, and children in other worst forms of child labor.

This internship will provide an opportunity to:

Gain knowledge about child labor issues, both international and domestic;
Become familiar with various non-governmental groups and relevant government agencies, and their role in addressing child labor issues;
Attend congressional hearings and briefings and work with congressional offices;
Practice social media skills;
Write for the public;
Understand coordination and management of a national coalition; and
Be involved in international campaigns on child labor and basic education for all children.

In order to succeed in this internship, interns should possess superior skills in the following areas:

Communication skills. Interns must possess high level oral and written communication skills. Interns will be asked to write blogs and articles.
Research skills. Interns are frequently called upon to write brief reports for NCL staff to provide background information on various issues. We are also in constant need of web site updates and basic statistical “facts about” lists.

A typical day might include attending a meeting with other NGO groups, writing a blog, conducting internet research, working to expand our social media outreach, and providing web site updates.

NCL is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards.

Please submit your cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Child Labor Policy Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006 or via email: reidm@nclnet.org.

Communications Intern Full or Part Time (2021)

The communications department of the NCL is looking for an intern with good communications and marketing skills. The intern’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Marketing NCL publications and promoting NCL’s consumer education materials. This will include calling former buyers, finding prospective buyers, and publicizing publications in the media.
Press Releases Drafting press releases to help promote publications, and possibly, for other NCL events.
Communications Materials Writing and gathering information for an NCL press packet.
Press Files Maintaining clips and releases.
Press Outreach Checking existing lists for accuracy by calling reporters.
General Outreach Conducting outreach with members and answering general consumer questions.

Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Communications Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006, fax: 202-835-0747, email: ncljobs@nclnet.org.

LifeSmarts Intern Full or Part Time (2021)

The National Consumers League seeks a motivated summer intern to support the LifeSmarts program. The intern will assist NCL staff with ongoing projects and research in support of LifeSmarts. This internship will provide an opportunity to:

Develop LifeSmarts materials such as study aids to be posted at www.lifesmarts.org.
Write questions for the LifeSmarts online quiz and live competitions.
Work on special projects such as LifeSmarts program outreach, recruitment of state coordinators, and assessment of the program.
Work with NCL’s other summer interns to prepare for the upcoming LifeSmarts program year.

Internships are unpaid and interns will work out of NCL’s headquarters in downtown Washington, DC. We ask that interns make a minimum time commitment of eight weeks, spending at least 20 hours per week working at the League. Of course, we welcome longer time commitments. Our goal is to tailor your internship to suit your specific needs. The League is happy to consider the particular interests of applicants and will develop specific projects, complete paperwork, etc., as needed for class credit.

This internship is only available to members of the LifeSmarts Alumni Association. If you are interested, please email a cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to ncljobs@nclnet.org and include “LifeSmarts summer intern” in the subject line.

Health Policy Intern – Remote (Fall 2021)

The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, is seeking an intern with a demonstrated interest in public health and patient advocacy to work remotely. The League (www.nclnet.org) is a national nonprofit organization that has been protecting and promoting social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States since 1899. NCL focuses on health, fraud prevention and education, food and nutrition safety, teen-consumer literacy, child labor, and fair labor standards.

The health policy intern will assist NCL staff with ongoing projects and research, related to consumer education and outreach around a variety of health issues, including general health education, health reform, health information technology, and medication safety.

The health policy intern will be an integral part of the NCL health policy team. Assignments will include assisting NCL staff with research, outreach, legislative and regulatory tracking, and in the development of program materials ranging from blog posts to consumer education pieces.

This internship will provide an opportunity to:

Gain knowledge about current health policy issues;
Participate in various aspects of event planning for NCL’s bi-annual health stakeholder meetings;
Engage in grassroots public health initiatives, through NCL’s medication adherence campaign, Script Your Future;
Become familiar with various health care organizations, including government agencies;
Understand coordination and management of collaborative efforts such as meetings, joint letters, and advocacy coalitions; and
Engage with stakeholders and policymakers in the health policy arena

Key Qualifications

Superb, professional verbal and written communications skills
Keen research abilities
Ability to work independently and on a team
Ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Applications are due July 31, 2021. Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Health Policy Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006, fax: (202) 835-0747, email: ncljobs@nclnet.org.