Program Assistant, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center

PEN America, a growing nonprofit organization that stands at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a program assistant to support the day-to-day operations of the Freedom to Write Center and Kronika. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based in New York and reports to the Managing Director of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center.

This early-career position offers a significant opportunity for professional growth in a role that will expose the incumbent to all aspects of PEN America’s international work. Ideal for a motivated entry-level professional who is passionate about literature, human rights, and freedom of expression, this role will support a growing team by providing administrative and logistical support.

The successful candidate will be committed to PEN America’s mission as a human rights and free expression organization and be passionate about supporting writers at risk and protecting endangered materials. The successful candidate will work well under pressure, be comfortable juggling priorities, and have experience with one or more areas of programmatic work, including desktop research, social media, and event planning.

All positions are subject to a five-month trial period and assessment. In alignment with PEN America’s current policy, all applicants should be available to report to the office at least three days per week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide administrative support to the international team including scheduling, making travel arrangements, preparing for and taking minutes at meetings, creating and maintaining extensive filing and archiving systems and processing finances and payments
• Assist with event planning, including virtual events
• Assist with preparing, drafting, proofreading, editing, formatting, coding, and/or distributing materials such as news releases, reports, tables, charts, briefing papers, op-eds, publications, and text and image web content
• Draft copy for social media, post blogs, and press releases, and assist colleagues with various communication needs
• Support with recruiting, onboarding, providing guidance to, and coordinating interns, and with the recruiting of other staff
• Provide research assistance to staff, as needed
• Assist with tracking and acknowledging donations and donor communications

All PEN America staff are considered to be stakeholders in the development of our shared organization. As such, staff play a role in varied activities within the workplace as part of their job responsibilities. These may include committees or task forces to work on office issues, diversity and inclusion, strategy projects, training, or other initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of relevant professional experience
• Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills
• Interest in international human rights and free expression issues
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Excel, and videoconferencing
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong work ethic with the ability to multitask effectively
• Ability to identify and innovatively meet the logistical needs of multiple projects simultaneously
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and ability to think creatively and collaboratively
• Ability to develop and present new ideas and approaches
• Success in working creatively and collaboratively on a tight-knit team, as well as functioning independently
• Must be able to provide valid proof of U.S. work authorization
• Commitment to PEN America’s mission, centered on the celebration and defense of free expression for all. Willingness to defend the right to engage in speech that may be offensive and discomfiting and that reflects a wide range of political opinions and ideologies. PEN America promotes open and respectful dialogue across difference, and we work to allow a diversity of perspectives to flourish.
• Commitment to PEN America’s advocacy and support for writers, artists and their allies around the world, without regard to the ideology or actions of their country's government

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $55k-65k, commensurate with experience. Candidates whose expectations are outside this range are welcome to apply, as PEN America is open to considering talented individuals at varying stages of their careers. PEN America's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a complete application (including a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample) via BambooHR. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and is committed to having a workforce that reflects the population that it serves at all levels within the organization.

No phone calls, please.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

PEN America's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan.