Description
Positions Overview
Jon Rivera for State Senate is hiring for three positions on his campaign team for New York State Senate District 61: Campaign Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, and Field Coordinator. Please read the below posting carefully for job specifications for each one and follow the instructions for applying to one or more posting.
CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR
The Campaign Coordinator is responsible for the overall strategy, management, and execution of the campaign plan to elect Jon Rivera to New York State Senate District 61. This individual will oversee daily operations, act as a liaison with volunteers, other staff, and consultants, direct fundraising and communications efforts, and ensure the campaign meets its voter contact, financial, and organizational goals.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, highly organized, politically savvy, and able to lead a fast-paced operation under pressure.
Key Responsibilities
Campaign Strategy & Leadership
Develop and implement a comprehensive campaign plan, including field, communications, digital, and fundraising strategies.
Establish clear goals, benchmarks, and timelines to win the November general election.
Advise the candidate on political strategy, messaging, scheduling, and public positioning.
Monitor political landscape, opposition activity, and polling data to refine strategy as needed.
Staff & Operations Management
Recruit, hire, train, and supervise campaign volunteers.
Manage day-to-day campaign operations and maintain a high-performing team culture.
Work with treasurer to oversee campaign budget and ensure compliance with all financial and legal requirements.
Fundraising
Develop and execute a fundraising plan to meet financial targets.
Oversee call time, donor outreach, events, and digital fundraising efforts with candidate
Track fundraising progress and adjust strategy as needed.
Field & Voter Outreach
Direct voter contact programs including canvassing, phone banking, relational organizing, and GOTV (Get Out The Vote) efforts.
Analyze voter data and targeting strategies to maximize efficiency and impact.
Build and maintain coalitions with community leaders, stakeholders, and advocacy groups.
Communications & Media
Oversee messaging strategy and ensure consistency across all platforms.
Work with communications team to manage press relations, social media, and digital content.
Prepare the candidate for debates, public appearances, and media interviews.
Qualifications
3–5+ years of campaign experience, including at least one cycle in a senior leadership role (Campaign Manager, Deputy Manager, or equivalent).
Demonstrated experience managing staff, volunteers, and budgets.
Strong understanding of voter targeting, field operations, and fundraising strategy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
Preferred Skills
Experience with voter file systems (e.g., NGPVAN, NationBuilder, or similar).
Digital fundraising and communications experience.
Strong political instincts and crisis management abilities.
Data-driven decision-making skills
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Job Title: Communications Coordinator
Location: Buffalo, NY
Reports To: Campaign Coordinator
Employment Type: Full-Time, Temporary until November election
Position Overview
The Communications Coordinator is responsible for supporting the development and execution of the campaign’s communications strategy for Jon Rivera for State Senate. This role ensures consistent, persuasive messaging across platforms, manages media relations, and helps shape the candidate’s public narrative. The ideal candidate is a strong writer, excellent at social media platforms, highly organized, politically savvy, and thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure campaign environment.
Key Responsibilities
Message Development & Content Creation
Draft press releases, media advisories, statements, op-eds, speeches, talking points, and newsletters.
Develop and maintain message guidance to ensure consistency across all communications.
Collaborate with policy, field, and digital teams to align messaging with campaign goals.
Prepare briefing materials for debates, interviews, and public appearances.
Media Relations
Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media contacts.
Pitch stories and coordinate interviews, press conferences, and media availabilities.
Monitor media coverage and prepare daily press clips and rapid response summaries.
Respond quickly and strategically to breaking news and opposition attacks.
Digital & Social Communications
Draft and schedule social media content.
Coordinate messaging across email, website, and digital advertising platforms.
Track engagement metrics and adjust messaging strategies as needed.
Rapid Response & Research
Monitor news cycles and opposition activity to identify opportunities and risks.
Draft rapid response statements and fact-check materials.
Support crisis communications planning and execution.
Internal Communications & Coordination
Ensure staff, volunteers, and surrogates are equipped with up-to-date talking points.
Coordinate messaging across departments to maintain unified communications.
Maintain an organized archive of press materials and media lists.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
1–3+ years of experience in political campaigns, public affairs, communications, or journalism preferred.
Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Strong understanding of social media landscape, trends, and how to amplify messaging to target audiences online.
Strong understanding of media relations and political messaging.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required during campaign cycle.
Preferred Skills
Experience with media monitoring tools and email marketing platforms.
Familiarity with social media management and analytics tools.
Graphic design and video editing skills
Knowledge of the local political landscape.
Core Competencies
Strategic thinking
Attention to detail
Crisis management
Discretion and confidentiality
Team collaboration
Adaptability under pressure
FIELD COORDINATOR
Job Title: Field Coordinator
Location: Buffalo, NY
Reports To: Campaign Coordinator
Employment Type: Full-Time, Temporary until November election
Position Overview
The Political Field Coordinator is responsible for organizing and executing grassroots voter contact efforts within an assigned turf or region for Jon Rivera for State Senate. This role focuses on volunteer recruitment and management, direct voter outreach, event coordination, and data tracking to meet voter contact and turnout goals. The ideal candidate is energetic, highly organized, people-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced campaign environment.
Key Responsibilities
Volunteer Recruitment & Management
Recruit, train, and retain volunteers to support canvassing, phone banking, text banking, and events.
Build relationships with local supporters, community leaders, and partner organizations.
Schedule and manage volunteer shifts to ensure consistent voter contact operations.
Foster a positive and motivating team culture.
Voter Contact Operations
Execute door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and other direct voter outreach programs.
Manage staging locations and ensure turf packets, scripts, and materials are prepared and distributed.
Train volunteers on campaign messaging, voter engagement best practices, and data entry procedures.
Monitor daily voter contact goals and adjust plans to meet benchmarks.
Data & Reporting
Track and report daily, weekly, and cumulative voter contact metrics.
Ensure accurate data entry into the campaign’s voter database (e.g., VAN or similar tools).
Maintain organized records of volunteer activity and outreach results.
Identify areas of improvement and recommend strategic adjustments.
Community Engagement & Events
Coordinate local campaign events, town halls, and visibility efforts.
Represent the campaign at community meetings and coalition gatherings.
Identify opportunities to expand grassroots presence in the community.
Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)
Lead GOTV efforts in assigned region, including early voting and Election Day operations.
Coordinate poll coverage and volunteer deployment plans.
Help implement turnout strategies to ensure maximum voter participation.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, Public Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
Previous campaign, organizing, or community engagement experience strongly preferred.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
Ability to work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
Access to reliable transportation for travel within assigned region.
Preferred Skills
Experience with voter databases (e.g., VAN, PDI, NationBuilder).
Bilingual skills a plus.
Experience supervising volunteers or small teams.
Knowledge of local political landscape and community networks.
Core Competencies
Leadership and team-building
Results-oriented mindset
Adaptability in high-pressure environments
Strong communication skills
Attention to detail
Accountability and initiative
Compensation
For all three positions, salary commensurate with experience
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to: riverafornysenate@gmail.com and include the job title in the subject line. Applications without a job title in the subject line will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The campaign is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that is reflective of the district and is an equal opportunity employer.
Requirements
Campaign Coordinator Qualifications
3–5+ years of campaign experience, including at least one cycle in a senior leadership role (Campaign Coordinator, Deputy or equivalent).
Demonstrated experience managing staff, volunteers, and budgets.
Strong understanding of voter targeting, field operations, and fundraising strategy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
Knowledge of campaign finance law and reporting requirements.
Communications Coordinator Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
1–3+ years of experience in political campaigns, public affairs, communications, or journalism preferred.
Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Strong understanding of social media landscape, trends, and how to amplify messaging to target audiences online.
Strong understanding of media relations and political messaging.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required during campaign cycle.
Field Coordinator Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, Public Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
Previous campaign, organizing, or community engagement experience strongly preferred.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
Ability to work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
Access to reliable transportation for travel within assigned region.
