[nfb-talk] NFB Director of Public Relations, Baltimore

[David Andrews]

JOB DESCRIPTION

Name:  Vacant__________________________

Title or Primary Job Duty:  Director of Public Relations

Department:  Strategic Initiatives

Supervisor:  John Paré

Individuals supervised and their positions:
Chris Danielsen, editor, Voice of the Nation's Blind
Jessica Freeh, public relations assistant

Date submitted:  August 21, 2007

General Responsibilities (applicable to all 
employees):  Assists the President of the 
National Federation of the Blind in conducting 
the work of the organization by performing any 
tasks assigned by him or anyone he has designated 
to supervise employee’s work whether or not those 
tasks are related to the tasks described in the 
specific job responsibilities or job title.  A 
number of employees and volunteers working with 
the organization are blind, and the organization 
works with blind people from throughout the 
community and the nation. This means that the 
employee if able to do so may be called on to do 
such things as reading, driving, assisting with 
shopping or errands, and helping blind persons 
with various activities in the community. The 
National Federation of the Blind holds an annual 
convention for approximately one week each year 
in different parts of the country. The employee 
may on request be assigned to attend and assist 
in preparing for and conducting the national 
convention. The employee is encouraged to 
participate in the activities of the Baltimore 
Chapter and the National Federation of the Blind 
of Maryland; to keep informed about the National 
Federation of the Blind by reading the Braille 
Monitor and by other available methods. The 
employee makes observations and reports 
information learned to Dr. Maurer or a supervisor 
as appropriate and performs such other tasks 
throughout the organization as are needed or required.


Specific Job Responsibilities: The director of 
public relations is responsible for all aspects 
of National Federation of the Blind (NFB) 
publicity.  This includes the responsibility for 
identifying, developing, writing, and 
distributing information which clearly 
communicates the NFB’s positive philosophy of 
blindness, expresses NFB positions and 
priorities, and disseminates information on 
events and programs important to blind 
people.  The director works with NFB leadership 
and media professionals to obtain maximum 
positive publicity in order to influence public 
opinion, shape public policy, encourage donors, and increase membership.


Job Duties/Activities (list all of the tasks that 
are part of your work assignment):  The director 
of public relations reports to the executive 
director for strategic initiatives and has the following primary job duties:

Manage and supervise a group of two to four public relations specialists.

Develop and execute a successful publicity 
strategy for the NFB, including its affiliates, 
divisions, and chapters in order to further the 
policies and programs of the NFB.

Direct the identification, research, and writing 
of NFB press releases, media advisories, portions 
of the NFB Web site, and other NFB publications 
as needed such as the NFB annual report.

Advise directors of NFB programs and initiatives 
on media relations and coordinate strategies for 
event promotion and program participation.

Work with NFB affiliates, divisions, and chapters 
to develop public relations strategies including 
the writing and distribution of press releases.

Develop and maintain relationships with members 
of the press, community and business leaders, and 
public relations professional organizations.

Design and develop NFB marketing materials which 
include brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and newsletters.

Design and develop the NFB annual report.

Manage the development of audio and video content 
for both the Web site as well as other media outlets.

Manage the development of content for various 
portions of the NFB Web site, including the home 
page.  This also includes managing administrative 
functions of content development such as updating 
existing information, monitoring for 
inconsistencies and errors, removing and/or 
archiving out-dated material as needed.

Monitor all media outlets for news reports which 
are inconsistent with our philosophy, advise the 
president and NFB leadership of these reports, 
make recommendations for appropriate responses, and respond as necessary.

Provide to the executive director for strategic 
initiatives an annual public relations budget 
which accurately reflects anticipated expenses 
and is consistent with guidelines and direction 
provided by the Executive Director.

Maintain all public relations files and records 
for both historical as well as audit purposes.

Applicants should send, preferably via e-mail, a 
résumé and cover letter indicating salary 
requirements to:  Anthony Cobb, Director of Human 
Resources, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 
Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone 
410-659-9314, ext. 2281; fax 410-685-5653; e-mail 
Acobb at nfb.org <mailto:Acobb at nfb.org>.  The 
National Federation of the Blind is an equal 
opportunity employer.   Accordingly all terms and 
conditions of employment will be carried out 
without regard to race, creed, color, religion, 
gender, sexual preference, nationality, marital status, age, or disability.



David Andrews and white cane Harry.