Program Assistant

The Secular Coalition for America is seeking an Program Assistant with strong organizational skills, a knowledge of office administration, and executive support skills. 

The Secular Coalition for America is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States. We are located in Washington, D.C. for ready access to government, activist partners and the media. Our staff lobbies the Federal Government on issues of special concern to our constituency.

Job summary

Under the supervision of the Executive Director or her designee, the Program Assistant maintains all basic administrative and programmatic systems and assists with organizational projects and tasks. This is an entry level position in our Legislative Affairs department.

Summary of essential job functions

• Provide administrative support to Executive Director and program staff.

• Provide general program support to the Director of Federal and State Affairs.

• Provide administrative back-up to Office Manager.

• Coordinate with organizers of outreach events staff is scheduled to attend .

• Process and coordinate travel arrangements and expense reports for Executive Director and staff

• Update internal outreach schedule and public calendar.

• Assist with event organizing and provide administrative support during events.

• Provide support to state chapters, including organizing, advertising and hosting monthly conference calls, connecting interested activists and chapters, providing informational and promotional resources to chapters, advising chapters on policies and procedures, and supporting state chapter lobbying and media efforts.

• Provide administrative support for coordinating the state chapter program, including updating state chapter leadership contact information documentation, collecting and organizing outreach information, moderating state websites, setting up chapter resources such as email addresses, websites, mailing lists, etc.

• Draft weekly updates on state level secular activity for national weekly conference calls.

• Provide support for meetings, including scheduling, distributing agendas, coordinating logistics, preparing materials, and arranging catering.

• Schedule lobbying meetings as requested.

• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Excellent organizational skills and experience supporting multiple staff.

• Manages time appropriately and effectively prioritize duties and activities.

• Professional demeanor and attitude.

• Collaborative team player: dependable, respectful, and considerate.

• Perseverance and autonomous problem solving .

• Strong attention to detail.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to adapt to change and respond to unexpected occurrences.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Internet research tools.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of basic legislative, regulatory, and policy process

• Comfort with secular mission

• Familiarity with very basic html, Drupal, MailChimp, Congressional Quarterly, or Google services

• Advanced experience with Microsoft excel.

• Experience in an administrative support capacity.

The Secular Coalition for America offers a competitive benefits package in addition to a friendly, professional environment with an enthusiastic staff committed to our mission. 

To apply e-mail resume and cover letter to jobs@secular.org. No phone calls or drop-ins, please.  

Summer 2013 Internship Program

The Secular Coalition for America is pleased to offer two unpaid internship positions for summer 2013. The Secular Coalition for America is seeking highly motivated undergraduate junior- or senior-level students with a demonstrated interest in our mission to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.

The Secular Coalition for America is a 501(c)4 advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. Our staff lobbies federal legislative and executive decision makers on secular issues and advocates for the separation of church and state. To learn more, visit www.secular.org. 

The internship will provide activities and opportunities to learn about, assist with, and work with the four main areas of our office: lobbying and advocacy, grassroots and outreach, development and fundraising, and media relations and social media networking.

The internship will be a 12-week program and will run from Tuesday, May 28, 2013, through Friday, August 16, 2012; work hours will generally be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional weekend and evening hours may be expected. Transportation costs to and from Washington, D.C. will not be provided.

To apply for the Secular Coalition for America Summer 2013 Internship Program, please fill out and send the following documents to internship@secular.org: 

• Completed Application 
• Resume: Attach a resume that includes your current GPA, relevant coursework, relevant work experience, and other leadership or civic experiences that relate to the internship.
• Personal Statement: On a separate document, write a double-spaced 12-point type statement about why you are interested in the separation of religion and government and how the Secular Coalition for America internship would assist you personally and academically. Please limit the statement to 500 words.
• Letter of Recommendation: Provide one letter of recommendation from a current or former professor or employer. The letter should include the contact’s email and phone number for verification purposes. 

Complete applications must be emailed to internship@secular.org by March 1, 2013 at 5pm ET. A selection will be made by March 19; only the selected candidates will be notified. Do NOT send applications by regular mail. No phone calls please. Incomplete applications will not be considered.