Location: Rapid City, SD
Application Deadline: July 30, 2024
Job Summary
As a member of NDN’s Tactical Media Team, the Mni Luzahan Tactical Media Associate provides support on all aspects of tactical media strategy and media production for the NDN Collective ecosystem giving special attention to NDN Action’s Local Campaign needs, rapid response work, as well as team research.The Tactical Media Associate works across a host of disciplines and platforms, including livestream video productions, on-the-ground event coverage, post-production video editing, digital organizing, social media engagement, researching, and writing. The ideal candidate has lived experience in Indigenous communities and a strong awareness, political analysis, and articulation of Indigenous issues. The Tactical Media Associate reports to the Director of Tactical Media.
The Position
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Assists in the implementation of a tactical media strategy in alignment with NDN Collective’s mission and vision to enhance the reach of NDN Collective’s platforms and campaign engagement.
- Works with the Tactical Media Team to develop tactical media plans and narrative strategies from an Indigenous lens.
- Coordinates and collaborates with various teams across the NDN Ecosystem including but not limited to Communications and NDN Action to identify, plan for, and execute tactical media opportunities.
- Works with team members across the NDN Ecosystem to implement a rapid response communications and media strategy as needed – requiring on-call status.
- Participates in tactical media production, post-production, and digital organizing during atypical work hours to support rapid narrative development and original media around breaking events.
- Assists in the operation and maintenance of equipment for tactical media strategies, including a Rapid City-based studio.
- Assists with a variety of video production and editing projects including: Live Streams [on-the-ground and in-studio], long and short form videos, and social media reels.
- Publishes videos and social media content on the organization’s digital communications platforms to advance NDN Collective’s storytelling, mobilization efforts, funding, and local organizing campaign objectives
- Collaborates with Local Organizers, Digital Organizers, and the Associate Director of Tactical Media to develop campaign calls to actions, resource lists, and other engagement materials and opportunities.
- Utilizes digital organizing tactics and tools to uplift on-the-ground organizing, NDN campaigns, and initiatives.
- Supports strategies connecting tactical media to social media, while understanding algorithms and best practices for each social media platform.
- Works with the Associate Director of Tactical Media, the Tactical Media Researcher, Multimedia Specialist and other contractors, to develop, implement, and evaluate a tactical media research strategy that supports NDN Collective’s Local Organizing campaigns and initiatives.
- Works with the Tactical Media Team to produce copy for email blasts, newsletters, blogs, social media, graphic copy, etc.
- Works with Tactical Media Team to conduct interviews with sources to further investigations and sourcing for the development and production of multimedia content; always acts mindfully to protect vulnerable sources and others who face significant risk from retaliation as a result of reporting.
- Works with the Tactical Media Team to create investigative blog posts and independent print publications for public distribution.
- Supports efforts to cultivate and expand relationships/networks with those who are aligned with NDN Collective’s interests.
- Has the ability to travel nationally and internationally as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Who You Are
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in media and/or journalism preferred (but not required) with 2-3 years of professional experience.
- Must have experience working in a grassroots movement organization, non-profit, or Tribal setting preferably within a media and communications department.
- Should have experience with live-studio productions and collaborative media OR could have a strong interest in learning.
- Should have experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud and/or studio software (OBS or similar, VMIX or similar), and experience working with digital video cameras preferred OR could have a strong interest in learning.
Knowledge and Skills
- Must have an interest in decolonizing media production with a focus on consent and accessibility.
- Must have a willingness to make mistakes in order to experiment and refine media practices.
- Must have the ability to monitor timelines and track trending and breaking information relevant to Indigenous Peoples, Cultures, and Societies.
- Must have experience with various social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
- Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills with a strong ability to work with a range of groups, including campaigns, consultants, and community members/partners.
- Must have excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
- Must have experience working with G-Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Drive), as well as some database development experience.
- Should have experience with media, including print, digital, videography, and broadcast media.
- Must understand strong political analysis of Indigenous issues from both lived and professional experience.
- Must have the ability and a strong desire to work in a team environment which may include remote/virtual work.
- Must be motivated with a fierce ability to take initiative.
Personal Characteristics
- ACTIVATOR: You are a self-reliant person and are strong at making things happen by turning thoughts into Partners.
- LEARNER: You have strong learning agility and are able to rapidly understand and analyze new situations. You learn from your successes and failures and improve processes to drive our fundraising.
- COMMUNICATOR: You are an exceptionally strong communicator who can create high-quality materials and deliver compelling messages and presentations.
- ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: You are ambitious and creative and enjoy the process of building something from the ground up. You are excited by the opportunity to come in and have a heavy hand in shaping our development operations.
- SOCIALLY & EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT: You are able to work efficiently and respectfully with others. You understand how individuals, groups, and societies work and you build rapport through being trustworthy and empathetic.
- DETAIL ORIENTED: You strive for perfection and are able to move from the high level of a project to its smallest details.
- FLEXIBLE: You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are flexible when it is necessary. You are willing to travel when needed.
This position is salaried, commensurate with experience at a GS 11 ranging from $65-70,000. A generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave, professional development, and more.
How to Apply
Using the form submission below, include the following attachments:
- Your resume (FILE NAME: “[LAST NAME – RESUME]”)
- 2-page document to include: (FILE NAME: “[LAST NAME – COVER LETTER]”)
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the organization and position
- Short answers to the following questions:
- How does your experience working in Indigenous communities inform your current work and your interest in this position?
- What is your philosophy regarding tactical media for Indigenous Movements?
- NDN Collective conducts background checks, is there anything you want to share with us about your background?
- Tell us about the best advice you’ve ever received.
- Do you have personal or social connections to anyone who works at NDN Collective, who do you know and what is your relationship/connection?
As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.
Note: Please apply to one position only.
NDN Collective is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination. It is NDN Collective’s policy to comply with all federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity. In keeping with that policy, NDN Collective is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of any of our employees or others present at our facilities by anyone, including any NDN Collective supervisor, co-worker, vendor or client.