Communication Specialist

Hybrid remote work schedule: 3 days in office/ field and 2 days remotes

Position Status: Full Time

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Cashiers, Hendersonville, Highlands, Marshall, Morganton, Newland, and Rutherfordton. With a dedicated staff of over 120 people, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 250 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to more than 25,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law.

Nature of the Position:

On Friday, September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene struck WNC, bringing severe flooding, landslides, and destructive winds that devastated homes and essential services. Pisgah Legal is committed to addressing the evolving and expanding needs of low-income clients, who now face compounded systemic and structural barriers due to this disaster.

The Communications Specialist supports the implementation of a wide range of internal and external communications and media policies, strategies and tools. Working closely with the other members of the Communications Team, they will develop targeted and compelling communications for PLS’ audiences, primarily focusing on community outreach to potential clients in need of Pisgah Legal’s Disaster Response services. The Communications Specialist will develop and maintain a digital outreach strategy aimed at sharing legal information, and issues-based communications. With a goal of increasing accessibility, they will share information with low income and vulnerable people in WNC, numerous non-profit and government partners, and the public at large.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the development, distribution and maintenance of publications pertaining to the
• Disaster Response Project, as well as other PLS programs. Publications include but not
• limited to newsletters, brochures, videos, social media and website.
• Develop, film, edit, produce and distribute short, impactful videos for advocacy
• campaigns, outreach efforts, policy changes, and other initiatives.
• In coordination with the Director of Communications, actively engage, cultivate, and
• manage press relationships to ensure regular coverage related to PLS programs and
• projects.
• In collaboration with other team members, manage PLS’ social media accounts and
• ensure they are supporting PLS’ advocacy, outreach, and fundraising efforts.
• Coordinate the appearance of all PLS print and electronic materials including but not
• limited to use of logo, brochures and website.
• Manage relationship with outside vendors including printers, graphic designers and
• website administrators.
• Contribute to management of website including content development.
• Use communications tools to support advocacy efforts, maintaining and updating
• document templates as needed.
• Work with legal and program units to brand PLS, increasing and maintain consistency in
• external communications and community education materials.
• Create data infographics, one-pager explainer flyers and other materials for the Disaster
• Response Project and other PLS Programs, with a focus on accessibility and aesthetics.
• Support Director of Communications in implementing and measuring success of a
• comprehensive communications and public relations program.

Salary/ Benefits:

Salary ranges from $40,533 - $58,666 depending on experience. Additional bilingual language skills that are applicable to this role may qualify for up to an additional $3k upon completing a language assessment test. Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relative professional work experience that qualify for this position to ensure equity in pay. Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer. Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage the 1st of the month following the start date. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage. PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage

Cost for BCBS Vision coverage. PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage. 401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment. Additional Fringe Benefits includes Pet Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Bereavement Leave, 13.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff, Employee Assistance Program for entire household and a great working environment with work life balance!

Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs.

PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice. Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.