Job Title: Community Outreach
Organizer
Organization: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Location:
Salary:
FT Regular
Job Description:
The American Civil Liberties Union welcomes applications for the position of
Community Organizer of the South Carolina National Office. This position is
available immediately.
OVERVIEW:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded in 1920 to preserve
the fundamental liberties written in the Constitution and its Bill of
Rights.
The ACLU is composed of two separately incorporated nonprofit organizations.
The ACLU, a 501(c)(4) membership organization, is the
primary lobbying arm.
The ACLU Foundation, a 501(c)(3), conducts litigation
and public education
programs in support of civil liberties. The majority of support for the ACLU
and ACLU Foundation comes from individuals, who believe in the guarantees of
freedom, justice, equality, and fair treatment under the law. The ACLU
receives no government funding and never charges clients for legal
representation.
Every ACLU office builds a menu of programs and services to meet the unique
characteristics of the communities that are served. Through communications,
lobbying and litigation, the ACLU endeavors to preserve and enhance
liberties grounded in the
rights laws. Among these liberties are separation of church and state,
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, the right to
privacy, reproductive rights, due process of law, and the right to equal
treatment under the law. To learn more about the work of the national ACLU,
please visit www.aclu.org.
The
The ACLU South Carolina is a national office of the ACLU and is the states
guardian of freedom. Working to promote and defend civil liberties
throughout the state, its mission includes a variety of legal, legislative
and public education programs encompassing a broad range of constitutional
issues.
Until recently, the ACLU of South Carolina was a separately governed and
operated statewide affiliate organization located in
Carolina
of the national ACLU to strengthen its statewide operations and program
capacity. The new office, to be opened in July, 2008, will be located in
capitol,
The newly formed ACLU South Carolina National Office will be focused on
expanding the ACLUs capacity to meet the increasing civil liberties
challenges in the state. The incoming Executive Director will be reporting
to the national organization and working collaboratively with a leadership
team of dedicated professionals to (1) Establish and maintain positive,
proactive statewide communications with existing members, supporters, and
donors; (2) Implement a statewide community engagement strategy designed to
attract new supporters, members and donors statewide; (3) Partner with the
national leadership team to launch targeted programs and services; and (4)
Foster the creation and collaborative efforts of a core team of staff and
volunteers to provide high quality service with measurable outcomes.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Community Organizer
will be responsible for implementing membership education programs, engaging
in coalition building, and mobilizing volunteers in order to spearhead local
issue campaigns in conjunction with our National ACLU office. The Community
Organizer will also play a role in implementing multi-disciplinary,
high-impact campaigns for civil liberties involving a combination of legal,
legislative, public education, and organizing strategies to enhance the
overall political capacity and effectiveness of the organization. The
Community Organizer reports to the Executive Director and works in concert
with other departments, as well as supporting and inspiring existing
networks of activists and volunteers.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Collaborate with other departments to develop strategic initiatives related
to local, statewide and national political and legislative action
Deploy existing ACLU members, along with new members, as advocates for civil
liberties
Provide guidance and support for local activist groups and ACLU members
across the state
Develop relationships with schools, colleges and universities to engage,
motivate, and advance the ACLUs policy campaigns with the younger
population
Plan and execute major public events, public forums, conferences, and
training opportunities
Collaborate with ACLU affiliates, and the ACLU National office on national
and statewide issues
Develop and nurture effective multi-organizational coalitions on priority
issues and statewide campaigns
Integrate technology as a tool for activists to advance program goals
Prepare the necessary status and data collection reports as required
REQUIREMENTS:
The ideal candidate will have these qualifications:
B.A. degree or equivalent relevant work experience. A minimum of 5 years
experience in community organizing or coordinating successful political,
legislative, or activist campaigns
familiarity and/or expertise in a broad range of civil liberties issues
including the death penalty, criminal justice, reproductive freedom, and
equal justice on the basis of race, gender, disability, and sexual
orientation
strong project management skills including the ability to multitask,
prioritize and manage a budget
excellent communication skills with the ability to act as an advocate and a
public spokesperson
ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues,
and communicate them to a variety of audiences
a passionate advocate with a reputation for creating innovative programs,
building coalitions, and fueling change at the grassroots level
an enthusiastic friendraiser with the
marketing skills necessary to build
community awareness and to catalyze new and existing ACLU members throughout
the state
a demonstrated ability to work effectively with and quickly gain the respect
and support of various constituencies including local members, local staff,
national staff, consultants, volunteers, and other community leaders
experience with on-line organizing
ability to coach and lead members, interns and volunteers in an environment
that fosters creativity, teamwork, a commitment to excellence, and mutual
respect
experience in growing and leading a successful start-up program
must be willing to travel frequently throughout the week and on weekends,
both locally and regionally and to devote as many hours as necessary to get
the job done
a commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual
and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance
fluency in both English and Spanish preferred
proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office; familiarity with design
software preferred
firm commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU
COMPENSATION:
The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits
package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU
compensation scale.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages
applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil
Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties
overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two
separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect
civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two
organizations under the name ACLU.
How to Apply:
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter and resume that describes your interest in this
position, your relevant qualifications and experience, and your
availability. Applications should be sent by email to
jobs@aclusouthcarolina.org reference
[SC-04/YNPN] in the subject line or
by mail to:
American Civil Liberties Union
RE: [SC-04/YNPN]
Applications will be accepted until position is filled, which will not be
before August 25, 2008. Please indicate where you learned of this job
posting.
Organization Web Site: www.aclu.org
Email replies to: jobs@aclusouthcarolina.org