📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Specialist (Content & Community)
🔹 Company: Democracy Docket
🔹 Location: Washington, DC
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (Tues-Thurs in-office, Mon & Fri remote)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: July 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with remote flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Creating and executing digital strategy across platforms
- Planning and scheduling engaging social media content
- Fostering meaningful community engagement
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams
- Analyzing social media trends and audience insights
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a creative, strategic communicator with a passion for democracy and social media as a powerful storytelling tool. They should thrive in fast-paced, newsroom environments and be comfortable navigating start-up culture.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Planned Content & Strategy:
- Write and schedule timely, engaging social media content
- Create visually compelling content for Instagram and other visual storytelling platforms
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams to support broader organizational goals
- Design Instagram carousels and collaborate with the graphic designer on promotional content
- Pitch, script, film, edit, and post short-form vertical video content
Community Management:
- Monitor and engage with audiences daily to cultivate a vibrant, informed community
- Respond to comments and questions, moderate discussions, and identify opportunities for authentic interactions
- Track social media trends and audience insights to inform content and engagement strategies
- Regularly report on audience engagement, trends, and platform performance
Other:
- Support digital and social media projects as needed
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven, with a strong grasp of storytelling tailored to social platforms.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 3+ years in social media, digital content creation, or community management, ideally in a rapid response or fast-paced environment
Required Skills:
- Exceptional writing and communication skills
- Strong grasp of storytelling tailored to social platforms
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven
- Experience with graphic and video editing tools
- Knowledge of U.S. politics, legal advocacy, and civil rights issues
- Familiarity with social media analytics
Preferred Skills:
- Comfortable appearing on camera for short-form video content
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a passion for U.S. politics, legal advocacy, and civil rights issues, and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $72,000 - $80,000 per year
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Generous PTO and holiday schedule
- Flexible work arrangements
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (Tues-Thurs in-office, Mon & Fri remote)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Online Audio and Video Media
Company Size: 11-50 employees (Small to mid-sized company)
Founded: 2020 (Relatively new company)
Company Description:
- Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform dedicated to information, analysis, and opinion about voting rights and elections in the courts.
- Founded by Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias, Democracy Docket provides detailed analysis and expert commentary on voting rights and election litigation and policy.
- The company offers free daily and weekly newsletters, a premium membership with exclusive content, and has a strong social media presence with over 700,000 total followers.
Company Specialties:
- Voting Rights
- Elections
- Democracy
- Mission-driven journalism
- Litigation tracking
- Email newsletters
Company Website: www.democracydocket.com
ASSUMPTION: Working at Democracy Docket offers the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization focused on protecting and promoting democracy through voting rights and election litigation tracking.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level (3-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Social Content and Strategy Manager.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Tues-Thurs in-office, Mon & Fri remote) with a flexible work schedule.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career growth within the Marketing & Communications department
- Opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to broader organizational goals
- Professional development opportunities through workshops, training, and mentorship programs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities within the Marketing & Communications department and the chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams to contribute to broader organizational goals.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Tues-Thurs in-office, Mon & Fri remote)
Office Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Geographic Context:
- Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and is known for its political and cultural significance.
- The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and music venues.
- Washington, D.C. is also home to many national landmarks, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the National Mall.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (Tues-Thurs in-office, Mon & Fri remote)
ASSUMPTION: Working in Washington, D.C. offers the opportunity to live and work in a city with significant political and cultural importance, with a vibrant arts and culture scene and numerous national landmarks.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the Social Content and Strategy Manager and another team member
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and communication skills
- Understanding of U.S. politics, legal advocacy, and civil rights issues
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, start-up environment
- Cultural fit with the company's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Showcase your understanding of U.S. politics, legal advocacy, and civil rights issues in your cover letter.
- Include examples of your social media content creation and community management experience in your portfolio or work samples.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
ATS Keywords: Social Media, Content Creation, Community Management, U.S. Politics, Legal Advocacy, Civil Rights, Fast-Paced Environment, Start-Up Culture, Hybrid Work, Washington D.C.
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may vary depending on the company's current hiring needs and the number of applicants. It is essential to closely follow the application instructions provided by Democracy Docket.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn)
- Graphic and video editing tools (e.g., CapCut, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
- Social media analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Buffer)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the company's current needs and the specific projects the Social Media Specialist is working on.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven journalism
- Transparency and accountability
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and adaptability
Work Style:
- Fast-paced, newsroom environment
- Start-up culture with a focus on agility and innovation
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Comfortable working with tight deadlines and changing priorities
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in U.S. politics, legal advocacy, and civil rights issues?
- How do you prioritize and manage your time effectively in a fast-paced, start-up environment?
- How do you approach creating engaging content for different social media platforms, and how do you tailor your content to each platform's unique audience and algorithms?
ASSUMPTION: Assessing your cultural fit with Democracy Docket's mission, values, and work style is essential for success in this role. Be prepared to discuss your alignment with these factors during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, newsroom environment with tight deadlines and changing priorities
- Navigating start-up culture and adapting to organizational changes
- Balancing multiple responsibilities and projects simultaneously
- Managing work-life balance in a hybrid work arrangement
- Dealing with potential criticism or backlash from social media users or external stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These potential challenges require strong time management, adaptability, and resilience. It is essential to be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and to have a thick skin when dealing with potential criticism or backlash.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Social Media Manager - Responsible for overall social media strategy and management, including content creation, community engagement, and analytics. This role may have more strategic and supervisory responsibilities compared to the Social Media Specialist role.
- Content Creator - Focuses primarily on creating engaging content for various platforms, with less emphasis on community management and analytics. This role may have more creative and less strategic responsibilities compared to the Social Media Specialist role.
- Community Manager - Primarily responsible for building and maintaining online communities, with less focus on content creation and strategy. This role may have more customer service and less creative responsibilities compared to the Social Media Specialist role.
ASSUMPTION: Understanding the differences between these similar roles can help you determine which role best fits your skills, interests, and career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating a social media campaign to raise awareness about an upcoming election or voting rights initiative
- Developing a series of short-form vertical videos to educate the public about a specific legal case or voting rights issue
- Designing an Instagram carousel to showcase Democracy Docket's premium membership content and benefits
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and tasks required for the Social Media Specialist role at Democracy Docket.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Democracy Docket support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Social Media team in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Democracy Docket foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork, especially in a hybrid work environment?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for someone to succeed in this role, and how do you see this role evolving in the future?
- How does Democracy Docket approach work-life balance, especially for employees in hybrid or remote roles?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions can help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, allowing you to make an informed decision about the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include examples of your social media content creation and community management experience in your portfolio or work samples
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
