About IAVA

Jobs and Internships

CURRENT OPENINGS:

• Deputy Communications Director
• Field Leader
  
• Senior Research Associate
• Senior Human Resources Associate
  
• Policy Coordinator
• Data and Systems Associate
• Receptionist

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 2004 by Iraq veterans, IAVA is a young, dynamic nonprofit with over 180,000 veteran members and grassroots supporters in 50 states. We're winning major battles in Congress (like the GI Bill), helping thousands of veterans nationwide, and making national headlines daily (like CNN, New York Times, NPR). If you care about how America treats its returning troops, and want to play a powerful role in national politics, IAVA may be the right fit for you.

 

Deputy Communications Director. New York. Full-time.

Background:

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization and has more than 150,000 active veteran members and grassroots supporters in all 50 states. Founded in 2004 by Iraq veteran Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA is staffed by both veterans and non-veterans. IAVA advocates on behalf of America’s newest generation of troops, veterans and their families. IAVA has high visibility in the media and is frequently featured in national media.

Job Summary:

Based in IAVA’s New York City headquarters, the Deputy Communications Director will work closely with the Communications Director and the Communications Associates on all communications efforts for the organization. This position offers an extraordinary opportunity to play a key role in the implementation of a nationwide communications campaign, especially in the writing and messaging process. IAVA is an exceptionally dynamic working environment that offers staff a unique opportunity to become involved with the most important issues facing the nation. Building on IAVA’s reputation as a leading source for first hand information about the issues facing U.S. troops and veterans, the Deputy Communications Director will be expected to inject the organization’s principles and spokespeople into the national conversation about the current conflicts and the issues facing this newest generation of veterans.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Working closely with Communications Director to draft strategic media plans for key organizational campaigns
• Writing press releases, media advisories, opinion pieces, blogs
• Helping to draft all external messaging
• Proactively pitching the media
• Managing a constant stream of incoming press requests
• Help with writing speeches and putting together press conferences/other high level media events

Qualifications:

This is a job of significant responsibility. The successful candidate will have a strong record of accomplishment in the communications field. This person must be an EXCELLENT writer and proficient in writing in several mediums. He or she must be quick-thinking, well-spoken, well-read, and a team-player. Familiarity with the structure and management of a nonprofit organization is preferred. A college degree is required. This position is full-time, and salary will be competitive, based on experience and qualifications. Along with the opportunity to do highly satisfying, worthwhile and dynamic work, IAVA provides excellent medical and dental benefits.

Salary and Benefits: $60k - $80k / year, DOE. IAVA provides a range of generous benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to hiring@iava.org, with "Deputy Communications Director" in the subject line. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please. IAVA is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Field Leader. New York. Full-time.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) seeks an experienced, highly motivated veteran leader to help us organize OIF/OEF vets across America.

For a smart, passionate veteran who loves to lead, this is a dream job. Almost 2 million Americans have come back from deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan, and thousands more return every week. IAVA gives them a voice when they come home, and a way to stay connected to service, community and leadership opportunities. The Field Leader will help IAVA build our already powerful national network, and ensure that OIF/OEF vets become America's next "Greatest Generation."

The Field Leader’s most critical attribute will be a constant hunger to lead, experiment and innovate. If you love motivating groups of people to tackle daunting tasks, solving problems on the fly without enough resources, and being a humble public face of a movement that is much larger than yourself, then we want to hear from you. We are looking for people with field and organizing experience. However, if you’ve never organized a field program but can show us concrete examples of your ability to think strategically, evaluate and reevaluate your plans, and execute a project with confidence, we want to hear from you too. If you can inspire and train other veteran organizers around the country, we want you to apply.

IAVA highly values top talent, and sets salaries accordingly. We are looking for candidates with degrees from top universities, high ranks in any military branch, and superior intellectual capacity. We hire only the best of the best.

IAVA and its members are already winning critical legislative battles, making national news daily, and improving the lives of millions of military families. Our power is growing rapidly. Help us truly harness the promise of America's new veterans by taking IAVA's organizing to the next level. 

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the launch and growth of IAVA’s 21st Century organizing model.
• Develop creative strategies and tactics for recruiting, engaging and serving IAVA members.
• Execute IAVA events nationally around key dates; Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc.
• Hire, train and oversee field staff and volunteers.
• Increase the number of Veteran members, and the quality of their experience.
• Extensive travel will be required, though most work will be done from IAVA's New York headquarters.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years experience with high-level, strategic leadership, in realm of business, political, advocacy or the military.
• Minimum 2 years experience as a manager, with power to hire and fire staff.
• Strong speaking, interpersonal and verbal communications skills.
• Experience managing high-value events, either individual events or coordinated events.
• Proof of ability to motivate, train, and develop leaders, especially volunteers.
• Proof of ability to set and meet clear goals.
• Extremely strong, clear writing skills.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Deep understanding of the unique strengths and needs of our newest generation of veterans.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest group for Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 2004 by Iraq Veterans, IAVA is a young, dynamic nonprofit with over 180,000 veteran members and grassroots supporters in 50 states.

Start Date: Immediate
Application deadline: Rolling

Salary and Benefits: $70k - $110k / year, DOE. IAVA pays extremely competitive salaries, on par with Fortune 500 corporations, not small non-profits. IAVA provides a range of generous benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to hiring@iava.org, with "Field Leader" in the subject line. Include a cover letter that concisely explains how your prior leadership experience will serve IAVA and its members. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please. IAVA is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Senior Research Associate. Washington, D.C. Full-time.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is seeking a highly qualified Senior Research Associate to lead IAVA’s research program, including the preeminent Issue Report series.

The Senior Research Associate will work closely with the Policy Director and the Legislative staff to define the most urgent issues facing new veterans and ensure that IAVA’s policy recommendations and press materials are grounded in rigorous nonpartisan research and analysis. He or she will be the lead author of IAVA’s influential Issue Reports, which are often cited by the media and used extensively on Capitol Hill. The Senior Research Associate will grow IAVA’s presence within academia and research institutions, manage a growing research staff, and join an energetic, highly visible team, helping win important battles on Capitol Hill and around the country.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct primary and secondary research into issues facing new veterans.
• Work closely with Policy Director to craft IAVA's legislative agenda.
• Conceptualize, write and edit IAVA's Issue Reports.
• Train veteran spokespeople to persuasively present IAVA's research findings.
• Manage outside vendors to produce and distribute Issue Reports and other materials.
• Manage 2-3 staff and/or contract researchers.
• Work with other IAVA departments and Executive Director to promote IAVA's research materials.

Experience Required:

• A minimum of five years experience in public policy or a related field.
• Experience managing, from conception to completion, at least one major publication or research project.
• Advanced degree (such as MPP, MPA or JD) preferred.
• Experience working with veteran's issues and/or for a nonprofit or think-tank a plus.
• Experience presenting complex materials in a creative, clear, and concise manner.
• Media experience (especially on-the-record) a plus
• Experiencing managing a small team, including hiring and firing employees.

Skills Required:

• Excellent project management skills, including ability to manage tight timelines, simultaneous projects, and external vendors.
• A thorough understanding of new media and social media technologies and tactics.
• Superior research design skills.
• Strong analytical thinking.
• Impeccable writing and editing.
• Teaching skills.
• Organizational and management skills.

Start Date: Immediate.

Application deadline: Rolling.

Compensation: Salary range is $50k-$70K, depending on experience. IAVA provides an excellent range of benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply: Please send a resume, writing sample, and cover letter that concisely explains how your research experience can benefit IAVA.  Send all materials in a single attachment to hiring@iava.org, with “Senior Research Associate” in the subject line.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.

 

Senior Human Resources Associate.  New York, NY. Full-time.

Working directly with the Director of Operations and in close contact with the Executive Director, the Sr. HR Associate will build and institutionalize hiring, training, and administrative practices at a growing and effective nonprofit organization.

Based in IAVA headquarters in New York City, the Sr. HR Associate will take over and streamline recruiting and HR efforts currently being handled by several staff and external consultants.  You should be ready to hit the ground running—this is a job for someone who’s eager and ready to take the lead. The Sr. HR Associate will need to quickly grasp and internalize IAVA’s organizational culture; HR efforts will be an important part of enriching IAVA office life as the organization grows. If you apply, you should have innovative ideas for recruiting top talent and developing existing talent, as well as an open mind towards continued experimentation and improvement. This is a position with significant opportunity for growth and promotion.

The ideal Sr. HR Associate will be equally enthusiastic and thorough about both paperwork and office happy hours; he/she will understand how important both are for taking care of staff. He/she will be a positive, magnetic presence in the office, playing an important role in keeping the atmosphere friendly and familial as the staff continues to grow.

Hiring veterans is a high priority for IAVA, so experience with military job issues will set your application apart — if you don’t know how to support an employee in the National Guard, do some research before applying.

Responsibilities:

• Initiate new, high-level recruiting efforts to find top talent, especially from the military.
• Grow and institutionalize the IAVA training program to include both basic office skills for entry-level employees and high-level management trainings for Directors.
• Manage the internship program. 
• Oversee staffing administration, including payroll, benefits, HR handbook, and other paperwork.  
• Plan social events, both in-office and out, to keep office morale high and maintain a friendly atmosphere in a growing office. 
• Structure and manage regular staff review process.
• Create and follow best practices to post job opportunities widely, reach out to IAVA’s networks, and screen the hundreds of resumes IAVA receives weekly. Oversee the entire hiring and interview process.
• Work with Directors to strategize new positions and promotion opportunities for existing staff. 
• As part of staff review, provide the Executive Director with regular updates on teams and individuals and suggest strategies for supporting and rewarding staff.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of professional HR experience, or military equivalent.
• Strong writing and communication skills; diplomatic instincts as well as the ability to give honest and clear feedback.
• Ambition to lead continually improving HR efforts; responsibilities for this position will grow along with the organization.
• Strong office-culture literacy; ability to quickly and fully understand, analyze, and strengthen a supportive and dynamic office environment.
• Desire to serve our nation’s newest generation of veterans.
• Corporate experience preferred.
• Training and professional development experience preferred, both for groups and individuals.
• Good knowledge of military job issues preferred.
  

Along with the opportunity to do highly satisfying, worthwhile and dynamic work, IAVA provides excellent medical and dental benefits.

Salary and Benefits: $60k - $80k / year, DOE.  IAVA provides a range of generous benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply: Please review IAVA’s website thoroughly before applying.  Send a cover letter (written specifically for IAVA) along with your resume (preferably in the same document) to hiring@iava.org with “Sr. HR Associate” in the subject line. Applications without a cover letter will  not be considered. No phone calls, please.

 

Policy Coordinator. Washington, D.C. Full-time.

IAVA is seeking a highly effective hard worker to assist the Policy Director in our DC office. In 5 short years, IAVA has become one of Capitol Hill's most respected advocacy groups. Now, we need additional staff to help take us to the next level. The Policy Coordinator, answering directly to the Policy Director, is an entry-level position suitable only for a rising superstar. If you are detail oriented, ambitious, and want to learn how to really get things done in DC from the best, this job could be your shot. The Policy Coordinator will help plan and implement advocacy campaigns and research projects, and get exposure to the highest levels of government. There will also be grunt work – the challenging and critical tasks of developing and implementing various office systems, organizing meetings and office events, scheduling, organizing mailings, answering phones, ordering supplies, greeting visitors, etc. If you aren't excited to put in the long hours and go the extra mile on behalf of our latest generation of veterans, please don't apply.

Experience Needed: Specific experience is not needed, proven skills and traits are a must.

Skills Needed:

• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines; detail oriented
• Excellent analytical thinking skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Traits Needed:

• Incredibly bright
• An interest in precision and getting things right
• Eager to impress and succeed
• Methodical
• Obsessive attention to detail/perfectionist
• Curious
• Consummate learner
• Diplomatic
• Discreet
• Discriminating, excellent sense of judgment
• An interest is politics and policy
• Comfortable working in a small collaborative team environment

Start Date: Immediate
Application deadline: Rolling

Salary and Benefits: $30k - $40k / year, DOE.  In addition to the opportunity to do highly satisfying work, IAVA provides a range of generous benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to hiring@iava.org, with "Policy Coordinator" in the subject line. Include a cover letter that concisely explains your desire to work at IAVA and how your experience has prepared you for our office. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please. IAVA is an equal opportunity employer.
 

 

 

Data and Systems Associate. New York City. Full-time.

As a 21st century vets organization, IAVA has become a leader in using information technology to create strong advocacy campaigns and support a dynamic, growing national membership. We are looking for a smart, technically gifted person (preferably an OEF / OIF vet) to help us manage our data and online systems. The Data and Systems Associate will be responsible first and foremost for overseeing the health and creative use of our databases, primarily Salesforce. He or she will also be responsible for providing technical oversight of our web content management systems. This position will touch every aspect of the organization, supporting the work of our communications team, our front-line organizers, our policy advocates and our development department. This is an ideal position for someone with a background in technology and database work who is looking to take a deep dive into Salesforce administration, and to help manage a database from top-line strategy to nuts-and-bolts data integrity.

IAVA offers an exceptional working environment. We've been described as a cross between a political campaign, a nonprofit, and a tech startup. We have high standards, we reward success, and we get the job done right. IAVA is an equal opportunity employer;

Responsibilities:

• Managing the ongoing development and data integrity of IAVA's constituent database (based in Salesforce.com).
• Creating and enforcing organization-wide protocols for proper use of the database.
• Working with staff in all departments to find and implement database solutions to business challenges.
• Training staff and volunteers on proper use of our technology systems.
• Ensuring data cleanliness and security.
• Integrating Salesforce with other systems, including Drupal.
• Some coding, to create web forms, build webpage templates, etc.
• Working closely with content creators and online organizers to build amazing, innovative online experiences for our members.

Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience in the technology field, either in a civilian or military setting.
• Experience with databases
• Web development experience a major plus, though not absolute necessity.
• A college degree.
• A service orientation -- patient, helpful, and ready to teach other staff how to use our tech tools most effectively.
• Passionate about finding technical solutions to organizational challenges.
• Obsessed with efficiency and accuracy.
• A desire to innovate.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to prioritize and juggle many requests, sometimes under pressure.
• Interest in emerging IT and online organizing trends.
• Experience with Content Management Systems (we use Drupal, primarily).
• Strong desire to serve our returning men and women in uniform.

Start Date: Immediate
Application deadline: Rolling
Salary Range: $40k-$60k, depending on experience. 
Benefits: IAVA provides a range of benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to hiring@iava.org, with "Data & Systems Associate" in the subject line. Include your resume and a cover letter that concisely explains how your past technology experience could be applied to this job. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Please review IAVA’s website www.iava.org thoroughly before applying.

 

Receptionist. New York, NY. Full-time.

Working at the front desk of the New York headquarters, the Receptionist will be responsible for answering all calls and greeting visitors.  The ideal candidate will have an extremely positive and professional disposition and demeanor. He/she will report directly to the Director of Operations.  

In addition to the opportunity to be a part of an effective and innovative nonprofit, IAVA offers excellent medical and dental benefits and three weeks of paid vacation.   

Responsibilities:

• Answer main phone line and direct calls.
• Oversee reception area, greeting visitors, taking coats, offering beverages.
• Receive, sort, and post mail and packages.
• Assist with meeting preparation.
• Assist with keeping common areas organized (including reception, meeting rooms, kitchen, bathroom, copy area, etc.)
• General support as needed.

Qualifications:  

• Friendly and positive attitude.
• Strong communication skills.
• Professional etiquette and presence.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Organized.
• Sense of humor.
• Commitment to serving this generation of veterans.

Salary and Benefits: $30k - $40k / year, DOE. IAVA provides a range of generous benefit packages and three weeks paid vacation per year.

To Apply:  Send a resume and cover letter to hiring@iava.org. Your cover letter should explain clearly why you want to work at IAVA; we do not accept resumes without cover letters. No phone calls, please.

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IAVA is an equal opportunity employer. VETERANS OF THE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN CONFLICTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.