Art Director

Job Type: Part-time Contract
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Rolling

Job Description

Prison Journalism Project, which trains incarcerated writers to be journalists and publishes their stories, is looking for a part-time contract Art Director. The ideal candidate will have experience working in an editorial environment with a firm understanding of how visuals can elevate journalistic storytelling. They must be a team player, be able to work in a remote virtual environment, demonstrate confidence in their decision-making, and understand PJP’s branding as a small nonprofit organization working at the intersection of journalism, education and criminal legal reform.

PJP is an independent nonprofit startup initiative that aims to develop a network of prison correspondents. We believe that the deep reforms that are necessary to fix the U.S. criminal legal system can only happen through informed, public discourse about mass incarceration. Incarcerated people, who are talked about but are rarely heard from, must be a part of this conversation.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Work closely with the editorial team to support PJP’s editorial needs by selecting, sourcing or creating illustrations and photos for online stories, special projects and our quarterly printed newspaper. This will include, but not be limited to: photos, edited photos, original illustrations, editorial collages and data visualizations
• Work with PJP’s audience engagement editor to help create graphics-oriented social media posts that build a compelling online presence and help promote PJP stories, special projects and fundraising campaigns
• Work with all PJP stakeholders to help conceive and execute overall visual direction for PJP’s website, keeping it refreshed, relevant and engaging
• Research and source images from various public and private stock photo repositories, including archival sites
• Review and select artwork submissions by incarcerated artists for publication

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience working in an editorial environment under tight deadlines and knowledge of news publishing principles
• Experience creating and selecting visuals that tell a story and complement journalistic narrative
• Must be a team player who can synthesize strong opinions from different stakeholders
• Able to juggle multiple projects concurrently and to adapt to shifting priorities
• Have a demonstrable portfolio of published work
• Experience with video production and animation a plus
• Experience with data visualizations a plus
• Knowledge of graphic design and principles of typography a plus
• Knowledge of content management systems, such as WordPress
• Attention to detail a must
• Creativity and resourcefulness a must
• Must be based and qualified to work in the United States

EEOC/Diversity Statement

PJP is an equal opportunity employer. We commit to fostering an environment in which people of all identities are welcomed, valued and supported. We seek to create an organization with diverse voices and experiences that are representative of our society and the communities we serve. Harassment and discrimination in the workplace is not tolerated. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and encourage all qualified applicants to apply. We promote a climate of mutual respect.

Pay and Benefits

This is a part-time contract position that pays $40/hr. Duties will likely consist of 10-20 hours a week on average. There are no benefits associated with this position.

Application Requirements

Please apply through this Google form: https://forms.gle/AiSACek5to4ZX4sV6

You will be asked to submit:

• Resume
• Portfolio of published artwork demonstrating your qualifications
• Two professional references, including one person that you worked for in the past.
• Short answer questions (150 words max per question)