Job Description
The ACLU of Arizona works to advance equity and dismantle systemic injustice through legal action, policy advocacy, and mobilizing our communities to protect the civil rights, liberties, and dignity of all Arizonans. We are excited to announce the search for an experienced, community-based profession to build the political power necessary to energize the fight for civil liberties and protect our wins for years to come.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Community Organizer will advance the ACLU of Arizona’s goals and priorities by recruiting volunteers, developing their leadership, and mobilizing people in the community who share values with the ACLU of Arizona. They will also lead and work collaboratively with other ACLU of AZ staff, other affiliate programs and movement partners to develop and execute advocacy campaigns to influence decision-makers and community leaders to adopt policy changes that contribute to Arizonans civil rights. Reporting to the Organizing Director, the Community Organizer plays a key role in leading the ACLU-AZ’s organizing work addressing priority issue areas including democracy, reproductive rights, criminal justice, education equity, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants’ rights and other issues as they arise.
Location: Arizona; Phoenix or Tucson preferred
Starting Salary Range: $45,000-$62,000
Deadline to Apply: Friday, July 7th
Supervision: This position reports to the Organizing Director, with no director reports
Classification: Full-time, exempt
POSTION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Base-building and leadership development
· Recruit and build a base of new people who have been impacted in our main issue areas and train them to advocate for change and support affiliate advocacy efforts.
· Develop core leaders through on-going in-person 1:1 meetings; building their skills through trainings, developing them as spokespeople, mobilizing them through targeted, strategic actions, and supporting their development as leaders.
· Build a base of community advocates by recruiting and engaging them through campaign meetings, welcome sessions, public events, actions, and other ACLU-AZ activities.
· Build a contact/outreach list of core leaders, directly impacted individuals/family members and general supporters, and track data in a meaningful and meticulous way.
· Support volunteer campaigns to contact local elected and appointed officials and build support for campaign goals among community leaders.
· Create a volunteer leadership development process that empowers community advocates and mobilizes them to participate in advocacy action including meetings, rallies, hearings, and delegations.
· Develop and carry out monthly grassroots actions to include but not limited to community meetings, rallies, and other community events.
· Remain knowledgeable on ACLU-AZ issue areas, community events and activities, and Arizona social justice movements.
Campaign planning and development
· Plan, develop, carry out organizing strategies on issue areas and campaigns to advance affiliate goals and priorities.
· Work with other ACLU of AZ departments to support the development and execution of campaigns to advance the affiliate’s goals and priorities.
· Create work plans designed to promote leadership development, volunteer participation, and advance organizing goals in affiliate campaigns and/or priority issues.
Assist in setting meeting agendas and facilitating campaign meetings as assigned while building partner and external relationships.
· Develop relationships and galvanize the support of various stakeholders such as advocacy groups, grassroots, faith, and business leaders to advance organizing and organizational goals.
· Represent the ACLU of Arizona in coalition meetings and work collaboratively with community organizations and coalition partners on shared tactics to advance affiliate goals and priorities.
· Represent the organization and its campaigns in front of internal and external stakeholders including speaking at events and to groups and occasionally giving testimony on behalf of the ACLU of Arizona
· Participate in media interviews as assigned.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Be an active contributor to the Organizing team’s efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how our organizing program and organization can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into our day-to-day operations as well as our goals, plans and work with volunteers, leaders and partners.
- Working closely with the organizational consultants, EDIB Committee members, National ACLU, and the organizing team to set and achieve EDIB goals for the department and ensure that EDIB is centered in our organizing practices.
- Support development and implementation of various activities to enhance the organizing department’s sense of belonging and connection to the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS:
· Experience in community/field organizing and leadership development, working directly with volunteers, a membership base, community leaders, or directly impacted people
· Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the ACLU of Arizona including equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles, using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance, and record of arrest or conviction.
· Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts.
· Exceptional interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and training skills;
· Superb organizational skills; detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
· Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, and eager to learn new skills.
· Demonstrated ability to work in an intensely collaborative, team-oriented environment.
· Attention to measurable goals and results.
· Working knowledge of civil rights and liberties issues in Arizona, with a particular focus on affiliate priority areas
· Understanding of current political alignments and opportunities for collaboration with a broad range of groups and familiarity with the advocacy and community organizing landscape across the state
· Strong trust building, diplomacy and problem-solving skills.
· Willingness to learn and adopt to new styles of organizing and building power.
Cultural Responsibility:
Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.
Working Conditions:
The ACLU of Arizona offices are generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Inputting information into a computer for long periods of time.
· Work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
· Periodically work long and extended hours.
· Frequent travel across the state of Arizona as needed.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. Please note that some in-person attendance at the office is required however most day-to-day work can be done remotely.
Why work for ACLU of AZ?
Time off: Staff get 15 vacation days their first three years; 20 days after four years. We offer an additional 17 days off for holidays and personal days.
Benefits package: We cover 100% of health, vision, and dental insurance for employees. We provide life and disability insurance, as well as reimbursement of some out-of-pocket healthcare related expenses. Staff are reimbursed for cell phones and home internet if working from home.
401k Plan: We want you to be prepared for retirement! We match 100% of the first 1% of your salary deferred to your 401k, plus 50% of the next 5% of your salary contribution. And then, we contribute an additional 2% of your salary contribution each pay period.
Commitment to our staff: We invest in staff growth and professional development opportunities and are committed to providing regular feedback and opportunities for advancement.
Crystal clear focus: Our team focuses on some of the most important and urgent issues of our times – from abortion rights, voting rights and democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, border justice, and racial justice.
Our team is amazing: You will be working with incredibly dedicated, smart, and caring people who know how to have fun while getting a lot done in a low-ego environment. In addition to your Arizona colleagues, you will become part of a national network of ACLU staff in all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico!
How to Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to jobs@acluaz.org. Include “Community Organizer” in the subject
line and how you heard about the position. In the cover letter, in addition to
your qualifications, please make sure to answer the following questions:
1) Why you are interested in working at ACLU of AZ; and
2) How have you demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional work?
No phone calls or walk-ins, please.
The ACLU of Arizona undertakes inclusive strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to
contact jobs@acluaz.org
Deadline:
Applicants must submit their cover letter and resume by Friday, July 7th.
The ACLU of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.