Location: WASHINGTON, District of Columbia, United States
Postal Code: 20001
Job Category: Online | New Media,Other
Employment Type: Full time
Salary: 126729 USD per year
Posted: 01.07.2026
Job Description
The assistant director will serve as a writer and editor in the AFT Communications department. The assistant director's role will be to emphasize storytelling across AFT’s core constituencies, produce quality and compelling content that brings to life the voices, values and victories of AFT members, as well as provide in-depth story coverage on a range of topics, including human rights, the student debt crisis and other issues. Under the supervision of the chief publications editor and senior director of the Communications department, the assistant director will plan, write and revise engaging content that persuasively explains the AFT’s positions on various issues and shines a light on AFT members’ work. This content will appear on the AFT’s website, in its blog (AFT Voices), in e-newsletters and other digital channels. The ideal candidate is a strong storyteller who can translate complex education and labor issues into accessible, emotionally resonant narratives that highlight the impact of AFT members. This role is ideal for a journalist or writer with sharp editorial judgment, a collaborative spirit and a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling to inspire action and build solidarity. For details, see https://go.aft.org/swa. To apply, go to https://go.aft.org/t5p.
Job Requirements
Research, pitch, write and/or edit articles for AFT’s website, for AFT Voices and other AFT publications and campaigns.
Serve as the communications liaison to AFT’s PreK-12 Teachers, Higher Education and Human Rights and Community Relations departments to ensure that their work is elevated through coordinated storytelling and messaging.
Attend AFT’s divisional Program and Policy Council meetings and other conferences to cover key issues and campaigns of the divisions and/or their affiliates and identify stories featuring members and locals.
Collaborate with the production team on images, pull quotes and layout/design and adhere to AFT’s editorial style, voice and brand.
Produce and edit two monthly e-newsletters (AFT Teachers and AFT Higher Education).
Collaborate with the media affairs team to cultivate “story corps” contributors and amplify media statements with substantive resources and supporting articles.
Contribute to the annual production of organizing materials and the biennial State of the Union report
The AFT is a place-based employer, and this position is assigned to the AFT National headquarters office in Washington, D.C. This job requires the ability to drive and travel throughout the U.S.