Are you passionate about free speech and eager to channel your creativity into a powerful cause? Join us as the Youth Free Expression (YFEP) Program Associate and be at the forefront of a dynamic campaign fighting censorship nationwide! This role is a thrilling opportunity to amplify your energy and commitment by growing a burgeoning program into a major force for literary freedom. You’ll work closely with students, parents, and community activists, forging vital connections and organizing impactful events that ignite change.

As our YFEP Program Associate, you’ll harness your skills to build and nurture a vibrant network of anti-censorship advocates. You’ll lead engaging meetings, organize empowering training workshops, and connect groups with resources from the literary world. This is your chance to make a real difference by empowering communities to stand up against educational censorship and champion the right to read. Dive into this exciting role and help shape a movement that defends the freedom to read and think freely!

The YFEP Program Associate will report directly to the YFEP Director.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute a national, annual event to defend the freedom to read
  • Keep event plans on or under budget and on schedule
  • Reach out to potential sponsors and collaborators to bring them onboard
  • Work with advocates on the grassroots level
  • Advertise events through multiple channels
  • Maintain accurate records of all expenditures
  • Ensure events are carried out successfully
• Support and manage the NCAC’s Right to Read Network (RRN)
  • Create and execute a plan for engaging RRN anti-censorship groups and outreach for individuals who are interested in forming new RRN groups
  • Manage and maintain RRN affiliate database of statistics for rigorous tracking and reporting of results
  • Develop and maintain positive working relationships, and build coalitions with school groups, community-based organizations, and local city/statewide stakeholders
  • Organize virtual, monthly meetings and/or workshops with RRN affiliates to discuss the current situation of book bans in their communities and plan strategies as well as advocacy training sessions with experts
  • Assist with other advocacy and organizing opportunities, meetings and event promotion/coordination as needed by RRN affiliates
• Monitor, track, and flag youth censorship incidents, and work with YFEP staff to assess for advocacy opportunities or RRN involvement
• In coordination with YFEP Director and Communications Director
  • Develop organizing materials such as fliers, e-mailers, fact sheets, and videos
  • Draft weekly messaging/social media posts

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years or more of experience in organizing, event planning, or policy advocacy
• Excellent listening, communication, and people skills
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations with a positive attitude, tact, and professionalism
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, able to set priorities and manage multiple responsibilities
• Kind, respectful, and inclusive attitude that enables relationship-building with a diverse and multigenerational set of activists, advocates, and policy experts
• Able to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced office environment with a small staff
• Computer fluency, including Microsoft Office, Adobe, and Google apps; familiarity with Canva and Salesforce
• Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Qualifications

• High Energy, Creativity, and Communication Skills: Candidates who excel in bringing enthusiasm and innovative ideas, possess exceptional verbal and written communication abilities, and have a strong track record in building relationships will be prioritized.
• Large-scale event planning. Candidates with experience creating, implementing and executing large scale events and/or familiarity with event management software will be prioritized.
• Media and design experience. Candidates with experience designing content, social media, and graphics will be prioritized.

This full-time, hybrid position (with two days in the office/per week) based in New York requires occasional travel and some evening and weekend commitments.

NCAC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.