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The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a nonprofit organization working towards compassionate and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion. PCRM promotes preventive medicine, especially through good nutrition. PCRM has led the way for reforms of federal nutrition policies and continues to break ground with its clinical research programs, which have shown the dramatic benefits of vegetarian diets. PCRM encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research. PCRM opposes unethical human experiments and promotes alternatives to animal experimentation.

PCRM is seeking a Communications Coordinator to assist with publicity and other communications programs.

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY & SPECIFIC DUTIES:

-Publicizes all new Cancer Project Food for Life cooking and nutrition classes through phone calls to reporters, calendar notices, news releases, pitch e-mails, and other methods
-Continually develops new ways to promote Cancer Project’s Food for Life classes and other Cancer Project programs and special projects, including the Cancer Project Symposium
-Publicize PCRM programs, campaigns, and events through phone calls to reporters, news releases, pitch e-mails, and other methods
-Supports the Communications Department with other publicity and communications efforts, such as pitching public service announcements, quick hits, and news conferences
-Develops and cultivates excellent relationships with press and spokespeople
-Responds to incoming media requests, helping reporters and producers find the information and spokespeople they need
-Locates appropriate PCRM spokespeople, including physicians, scientists, and other experts, as well as others who can speak to the particular issue or campaign that PCRM is addressing. Works with Communications Director and Media Relations Manager to ensure that spokespeople are media-trained and prepared for interviews
-Books and schedules interviews; pitches story ideas to the press; provides background information for reporters
-Helps represent PCRM at press briefings and other events; helps coordinate such events
-Builds targeted media lists using Bacons Media Source, PCRM’s media database, and other systems
-Maintains standard operating procedures for primary areas of responsibility

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Full-time in PCRM’s Washington, DC, office

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS:

Education-

-Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a communications-related field

Experience-

-A minimum of 1 year of work experience in a communications-related position
-Experience with Cision Media Source and Dada Mail preferred

Skills-

-Excellent written and verbal communication skills including an effective phone manner and ability to summarize key issues and activities
-Good news sense
-Ability to deal effectively with reporters, the public, colleagues, and PCRM members
-Ability to professionally advocate PCRM’s positions on issues
-Good judgment
-Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and see projects through to completion in a very fast-paced environment
-Ability to develop solutions to any identified problems
-Professional skills, demeanor, and work ethic
-Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite
-Ability to maintain a sense of urgency, efficiency, and flexibility

Other-

-Interest in public relations, advertising, and marketing communications
-Enthusiastic willingness to talk to journalists about PCRM programs
-Enthusiastic willingness to perform a variety of tasks and jobs
-Willingness to go the extra mile for PCRM and the Communications department
-Commitment to continually develop professional skills
-Enthusiasm for PCRM’s mission and objectives
-Ability and willingness to travel to related seminars, conferences, training, meetings, etc.
-Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed

HOW TO APPLY: Please mail, fax, or e-mail (preferred) a cover letter (see note below) and your résumé to:

PCRM
Attn: Sarah Petersen
5100 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20016
Fax: 202-527-7410
E-mail: careers@pcrm.org (Please note Communications Coordinator in the subject line of your e-mail.)

NOTE: Please include the following in your cover letter: an explanation of your interest in joining PCRM, where/how you found out about this career opportunity, and your salary requirement.