What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Coordinator position at CARPLS?
ABOUT THE JOB
CARPLS Legal Aid is seeking a Communications Coordinator to join a team of passionate professionals providing equal access to justice in Chicago. The Communications Coordinator will drive strategy and implementation of all areas of communications work for the organization.
THE ORGANIZATION
CARPLS Legal Aid is an innovative legal aid program that offers an immediate response to the everyday legal problems confronting low-income residents of Cook County and across Illinois. As the largest legal aid provider in Cook County, CARPLS operates multiple legal aid hotlines, court-based advice desks, and online chatbots. CARPLS provides more than 90,000 legal consultations annually that give low-income clients direct access to experienced attorneys trained to quickly assess and respond to a wide range of civil and criminal legal problems.
Since its inception in 1993, CARPLS has provided over 1.2 million consultations, helping to find solutions to basic legal problems at an average cost of $35 per consultation. CARPLS’ attorneys resolve over 85% of all cases in-house by providing information, legal advice and brief legal services, including the preparation and review of legal documents. Clients with more complex needs are referred by CARPLS to a network of specialized legal and social service providers. Our unique "legal triage" system serves as a model for legal aid communities across the country and has increased access to justice by dramatically reducing the cost of legal aid services. CARPLS’ strength lies in using highly skilled attorneys and technology to fulfill our role as the “front door” to legal aid services, as the hub and central referral source for our network of legal aid partners, and as the legal “coach” for self-represented litigants in our courts. To learn more, please visit our website at www.carpls.org.
THE TEAM
The Communications Coordinator will be a member of the organization’s administrative team of seven supporting 50 legal professionals.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communications Coordinator reports to the Development Manager and is the organization’s primary storyteller, crafting messaging, strategies, and materials to elevate the organization’s presence in Cook County and beyond.
1) Content Creation and Strategy
a) Collaborate with program staff, clients, and volunteers to collect and craft stories and visual pieces to illustrate impact across communications platforms
b) Write copy and design graphics for digital and print materials, with a primary focus on giving and donor audiences
c) Partner with Development Manager to design fundraising communications, including, but not limited to: annual giving appeals, annual report stories, grant proposals, and stewardship
d) Draft and deploy regular organization newsletters and blog posts
e) Design and implement social media strategies to engage audiences across platforms
f) Maintain and update the website (WordPress), ensuring SEO optimization and regular content updates
2) Project and Digital Asset Management
a) Author and maintain the annual communications calendar for the organization
b) Serve as primary administrator of organization’s website and social media accounts
c) Manage all aspects of marketing and communications around the organization’s annual event: Golden Gavels
d) Deploy email communications, including newsletters and e-appeals
e) Maintain vendor relationships for key communications projects, including printers, videographers, and more
f) Maintain digital library of graphics and stories for the organization
g) Establish branding guidelines for use across the organization
3) Reporting & analytics
a) Analyze communication metrics (e.g., social media, website traffic, email campaigns) to measure success and adjust strategies accordingly
b) Prepare communications reports for CARPLS leadership
QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field
● 2-4 years experience in communications or marketing, nonprofit preferred
● Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills
● Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
● Experience with social media management and website content
● Competent in graphic design; preferred experience with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop
● Ability to work independently as part of a small team
● Knowledge of legal aid sector is a plus
COMPENSATION
Competitive salary commensurate with experience, with employee benefits including paid leave, paid holidays, health insurance, 401k with employer match, and other benefits. CARPLS has a hybrid work policy, and some remote work is permitted in this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit an email detailing your interest and experience and attach a copy of your resume to careers@carpls.org with the subject line “Communications Coordinator--Your Name”
CARPLS is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to having a diverse workplace. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.
Salary : $35