The Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco was organized in 1987 to garner the active participation of poor people and front-line staff on the design, critique and implementation of public policy and services that result in permanent solutions to poverty. It is a unique organization in that the driving force is low income and homeless people, working in every aspect of the organization, from the volunteers to the staff and leadership body.
– Communications Director –
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Communications Director
Reports to: Executive Director
Annual Salary: Full time: 40 hours per week ($62,395-
$64,890 Annually) Full health and dental
benefits, and a generous vacation
package.
About Us:
The Coalition on Homelessness (CoH) is a dedicated,
grassroots-driven organization committed to addressing the
root causes of homelessness in San Francisco through
advocacy, policy change, and community organizing. Since
1987, the Coalition has been at the forefront of systemic
change, empowering those directly impacted by homelessness
to lead the fight for their rights, solutions, and dignity. Our
office is a welcoming space for activists, community members,
and volunteers united in the mission to create lasting change.
About the Role:
The Communications Director is a key role at CoH,
responsible for shaping and delivering our messaging, media
relations, and public communications. As the issue of
homelessness gains visibility and urgency, the
Communications Director will be instrumental in amplifying
the voices of unhoused individuals and driving the
conversation on solutions. The ideal candidate is a skilled
communicator with experience in media relations, social media
strategy, and crafting compelling narratives that resonate with
diverse audiences.
Key Responsibilities:
Social Media and Communications (70%)
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that aligns
with CoH’s mission and goals.
Draft and produce a wide range of media content, including articles, press releases,
opinion pieces, newsletters, social media posts, and toolkits that support our
campaigns and advocacy work.
Manage and grow CoH’s social media presence, ensuring consistent, impactful
messaging across all platforms.
Develop, train speakers bureau made up of formerly homeless and unhoused leaders,
and set up speaking gigs.
Work with the development director to coordinate the promotion of fundraising
platforms and events.
Work with the Street Sheet editor to develop messaging around vendor recruitment
and expand distribution of our in-house street paper.
Coordinate with various teams to ensure unified messaging, and oversee the
production and dissemination of content.
Lead organizational communications efforts during monthly meetings, collaborating
with staff to refine and enhance our communication strategies.
Foster relationships with media professionals, including journalists, editors, and
broadcasters, to ensure coverage of our work and issues related to homelessness.
Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews and public statements with the
appropriate staff and community members.
Public Relations and Advocacy (30%)
Develop and articulate clear, accessible statements reflecting our public stances on
key policy issues, translating complex topics into compelling narratives.
Create talking points, scripts, and other tools for public hearings and press
conferences
Draft fact sheets to support our advocacy efforts, ensuring they reflect the input and
voices of those directly impacted by homelessness.
Deep familiarity with homelessness and a commitment to engaging with diverse
communities.
Organize press conferences, public forums, and other events that elevate the voices of
unhoused individuals and bring attention to critical issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
Excellent writing and communication skills, with experience in media relations and
public communications.
Strong proficiency in social media management and communications strategy.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong initiative and
organizational skills.
Experience with social justice communications work, grassroots organizing, and
advocacy is a plus.
Proficiency in using Macintosh computers and word processing software.
How to Apply:
Applicants, Please email your cover letter and resume to jfriedenbach@cohsf.org DEADLINE Tuesday October 10th 2024
Preference will be given to candidates who have personally experienced homelessness or social
oppression. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experiences of
poverty are strongly encouraged to apply.
– Housing Justice Internship –
The Coalition on Homelessness Housing Justice Workgroup, made primarily of homeless and formerly homeless parents, fights for real solutions to the housing crisis and advocates for economic and social justice. Its mission is to prevent the displacement of San Franciscans experiencing poverty and to keep the city building and restoring housing units for unhoused people.
Just last year, the Housing Justice Workgroup fought for and won funding for emergency hotel rooms for 100 youth and 25 hotel rooms for families to shelter-in-place, over 400 housing subsidies, including over 100 subsidies for families, and 1,750,000 dollars in employment services for over 100 homeless individuals.
What you will do:
- Conducting Outreach (25%)
The Housing Justice Workgroup does regular outreach to people living in shelters and in Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels. During outreach, a pair of organizers talk to people and learn about their concerns, priorities, and goals. Organizers will also connect people to ongoing campaigns based on their interests. Outreach is a key part of our organizing, and it guides the Coalition’s priorities as an organization. The Housing Justice Intern will go on outreach with a partner two times per week.
- Coordinating Outreach (25%)
The Housing Justice Intern will work with the Housing Justice Organizer, the Doubled-Up Organizers, and the Organizing Director to develop and implement an overall outreach strategy and outreach calendar.
- Attending Workgroup, Staff, and Supervision Meetings (25%)
Work at the Coalition is coordinated through a weekly staff meeting, and two weekly workgroup meetings. This is where we exchange information, make work plans, and report back on campaigns. Attending the staff meeting and Housing Justice Workgroup Meeting will allow the Housing Justice Intern to share their experiences from outreach and learn more about the different parts of our organizing. The Human Rights Intern will also have one-on-one meetings with organizers, workshops, and readings to help them develop their organizing skills.
- Assistance with Mailings/Homeless Verification and Front Desk (25%)
The Coalition does much of our organizing during outreach. We also organize with people who come to our office for Street Sheets, Homeless Verification, or other programs. Providing people with the information they need, having conversations, and telling them about our ongoing programs are the three parts of the front desk work. Every two weeks at least one half day will be spent assisting with mailings.
- Why Be a Housing Justice Intern?
Participate in a community-based effort to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness in San Francisco.
Learn the fundamentals of community organizing through hands-on work and one-on-one mentorship.
Develop an in-depth understanding of San Francisco’s budget and how affordable housing is funded in the city.
Build relationships with other folks in the community working to end poverty and homelessness.
We are able to provide the means and implements for this internship (notebooks, pens, computer use, etc) – if you need anything just ask!
- Who We Are Looking For
A person with lived experience of homelessness in San Francisco or who is currently experiencing homelessness.
Folks who are excited to contribute to a project dedicated to ending homelessness and are comfortable working independently on assignments.
If interested please Julian Highsmith at jhighsmith@cohsf.org
– Human Rights Internship –
Our Human Rights Workgroup fights for a city in which poor and homeless people are empowered with universal human rights and where dignity, respect, compassion, and equality are the standard of the community and the policy of the City. The campaigns and policies we pursue are determined by San Franciscans without housing who live on the streets, in shelters, and substandard housing.
The Human Rights Intern will be working primarily documenting sweeps for our lawsuit, conducting surveys for CART and other campaigns.
What you will do:
- Conducting Outreach (50%)
The Human Rights Workgroup does regular outreach to people living in shelters and on the street. During outreach, a pair of organizers talk to people and learn about their concerns, priorities, and goals. Organizers will also connect people to ongoing campaigns based on their interests. Outreach is a key part of our organizing, and it guides the Coalition’s priorities as an organization. On outreach you will focus specifically on spreading the word about the administrative claims project and identifying new claimants. You will submit paperwork to lawyers documenting your monitoring and survey homeless people on their experiences.
- Attending Workgroup, Staff, and Supervision Meetings (25%)
Work at the Coalition is coordinated through a weekly staff meeting, and two weekly workgroup meetings. This is where we exchange information, make work plans, and report back on campaigns. Attending the staff meeting and Human Rights Workgroup Meeting will allow you to share your experiences from outreach and learn more about the different parts of our organizing. You will also have one-on-one meetings with organizers, workshops, and readings to help you develop their organizing skills.
- Assistance with Mailings/Homeless Verification and Front Desk (25%)
The Coalition does much of our organizing during outreach. We also organize with people who come to our office for Street Sheets, Homeless Verification, or other programs. Providing people with the information they need, having conversations, and telling them about our ongoing programs are the three parts of the front desk work. Every two weeks at least one half day will be spent assisting with mailings.
- Why Be a Human Rights Intern?
Participate in a community-based effort to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness in San Francisco.
Learn the fundamentals of community organizing through hands-on work and one-on-one mentorship.
Learn about the current and historical policing of people experiencing homelessness, as well as programs that protect the human rights of people experiencing homelessness.
Build relationships with other folks in the community working to end poverty and homelessness.
We are able to provide the means and implements for this internship (notebooks, pens, computer use, etc) – if you need anything just ask!
- Who We Are Looking For
A person with lived experience of homelessness in San Francisco or currently experiencing homelessness.
Folks who are excited to contribute to a project dedicated to ending homelessness and are comfortable working independently on assignments.
If interested please Julian Highsmith at jhighsmith@cohsf.org