The Treatment Advocacy Center, a national non-profit based in Arlington, Virginia that fights to bring effective treatment to people with severe mental illnesses, is seeking a dynamic person with significant experience in media and public relations to join our team as Communications Director.   The Treatment Advocacy Center has facilitated legal reforms in 20 states, including Kendra's Law in New York, that are designed to save lives.  Communications strategies will be developed in close coordination with Treatment Advocacy Center's ongoing grassroots campaigns and state advocacy efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Advise in planning, development, and  implementation of the organization's communication and media strategies;
• Develop and implement, with key staff, communication and media strategies for state campaigns;
• Manage Treatment Advocacy Center website, blog, and electronic communications to ensure consistent and effective messaging to media and other major constituencies;
• Identify opportunities to engage media and to place information to raise awareness of organization's mission, positions, and campaigns;
• Maintain ongoing relationships with key media contacts and cultivate new relationships with media and other third parties to increase the organization's mission and visibility;
• Respond to media requests to determine appropriate responses, to identify best interviewees, and to personally engage in media interviews as appropriate;
• Write press releases, press kits, blogs, letters to the editor, op-eds, video scripts and other materials;
• Monitor daily news to identify stories and incidents that may be relevant to promoting the mission of the organization;
• Track media placement and preparing periodic media tracking reports;
• Write and create content for, and be involved in production of, organization's flagship publication Catalyst.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field;
• 7 years minimum experience working within the media or communications field;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Direct experience in new digital and social media;
• Demonstrated ability to build media contacts and record of media placements;
• Good working understanding of legislative process and factors that motivate elected officials;
• Knowledge of mental illness treatment issues at the national, state and provider level is a plus.

Salary: $60k - $80k. Benefits include:  health, dental, 403(b) plan with employer contribution, free on-site parking, and liberal vacation and leave policies. Successful applicants will submit resume, salary requirements, and a cover letter that specifically addresses (1) your interest in our mission and (2) how your experience is relevant. Send to jobs@treatmentadvocacycenter.org with subject line "Communications Director."  The Treatment Advocacy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected status. No phone calls please.

Deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, December 16th, 2009.