Steven Galante
******@*********.*** • 201-***-**** • smgalante.org • @smgalante
Communications expert with 9-years experience with proven ability in media communication within a team environment. Seeking a position within a firm that will integrate my writing, social media, media relation and qualitative and quantitative research skills to provide superlative results for the firm’s clients. Skills
Full-stack development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), WordPress, NationBuilder, digital engagement and content strategy, community-building, event planning, writing and editing. Fluent in Google Analytics (including tag manager), Facebook and Twitter insights.
Communication Experience
The Citizens Campaign Metuchen, NJ
Communications Coordinator Nov. 2015 – Present
● Manage all aspects of communications & marketing (press conferences, media releases, media outreach, social media) for a civic awareness campaign called “The Civic Challenge”
● Conduct user surveys and market research to inform engagement and growth strategy
● Manage both quantitative and qualitative analytics with audience metrics
● Cultivate and maintain relationships with news reporters and community leaders PROJECTS
● Managed full-stack redevelopment of our website with contracted web design firm
● Supervised and developed a communications strategy to maximize awareness of “The Civic Challenge” through cultivating partnerships with organizations, social media outreach and public events
● Organized a panel discussion and a hands-on bootcamp session about journalism NJ Tech Weekly West Caldwell, NJ
Reporter Oct. 2013 – Nov. 2015
• Covered technology and business-related news (e.g., lectures, product pitches, public policy, entrepreneurship) New Jersey Office of Legislative Services Trenton, NJ Policy Analyst Intern Jan. – May 2014
• Provided research and administrative support to legislative committees
• Researched, provided analysis and drafted memos on issues and policy matters of legislative concern
• Created policy reports for legislators, legislative staff from both parties and legislative committees PROJECT
● Consolidated and analyzed data from multiple state agencies related to Hurricane Sandy funding for legislative committees
Rutgers-Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling New Brunswick, NJ Poll Research Intern Jan. – May 2014
• Analyzed and interpreted survey polling data for major news outlets during the “Bridgegate” scandal
• Wrote for the Center’s website and social media explaining polling results for a general audience PROJECT
• Researched and contributed to the presentation “The Booker Effect: The Role of Interviewer Race and Ethnicity in Polling the 2013 New Jersey Special U.S. Senate Election” The Progress Caldwell, NJ
Staff Writer Sept 2008 – Aug. 2012
• Covered a range of areas (e.g., news, government, police, business, education) as a full-time general assignment reporter, photographer and videographer for a readership of 10,000+
• Oversaw production of and ran all social media accounts attracting 2,000+ followers
• Interviewed, hired, trained and managed 4 freelancers
• Wrote spot news, explainers and content to build audience and engage residents, including discussions and community inspired editorial content
PROJECTS
● Researched and highlighted notable stories for the newspaper’s 100-year anniversary issue
● Wrote a multi-part series on chronic flooding of the Passaic River which received an award in news writing in 2012
Other Experience
BlueWaveNJ Montclair, NJ
Volunteer May 2014-Nov. 2015
• Organized and executed public and private events including fundraisers and lectures
• Developed and implemented messaging strategies with community stakeholders Cory Booker for Senate Montclair, NJ
Field Organizer Sept. – Nov. 2014
• Recruited, managed and trained 200+ volunteers for phone banking and canvassing
• Scheduled shifts and organized canvassing and phone bank events
• Leveraged NGP VAN (Voter Activation Network) for daily volunteer recruitment and voter outreach Additional
• Organized and moderated the panel discussion “Jersey Journalists: Local News, Political Coverage, and the Changing Media Landscape” at Rutgers University on Sept. 30, 2014
• Eagleton Institute of Politics Alumni Co-chairperson
• Former Member of the West Essex Democratic Coalition; co-chair of the West Essex Young Democrats
• Founder and former Communications Director for the Essex County Young Democrats Education
Rutgers Coding Bootcamp, Full-stack Web Development Certification 2016 Rutgers University, M.A., Communication and Information Studies 2014 Montclair State University, B.A., Political Science and Philosophy 2008 Achievements
• First-place award in the New Jersey Press Association’s 2012 “Better Newspaper Contest” with The Progress.
• 2014 Eagleton Institute of Politics Legislative Fellow at Rutgers University.
• Wrote top-10 most popular pieces for NJ Tech Weekly in 2014 and 2015.