ACLU-NC Field Organizer

American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina•Durham, NC

2d•$71,000 - $81,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) seeks two Field Organizers to join our Organizing department in developing a robust and non-partisan organizing infrastructure to defend and strengthen the civil liberties and civil rights of all North Carolinians. The Field Organizer will report directly to the Organizing Director and will work in close partnership with the Policy & Advocacy, Communications, Legal, and Development departments to execute the ACLU-NC’s mission on priority issues including voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigrant rights, and criminal legal system transformation. The ACLU of North Carolina has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work, focusing on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals while building the long-term political and community power of the ACLU to defend, protect, and strengthen civil liberties and civil rights across the state. Under the direction of the Organizing Director, the Field Organizer will be responsible for implementing comprehensive organizing strategies and tactics as part of these campaigns. This includes recruiting and developing volunteer leaders, working alongside impacted communities to develop and align strategies and tactics, mobilizing grassroots support to influence decision-makers, planning and executing campaign events, and conducting outreach to North Carolina residents through community engagement opportunities and person-to-person field contact to involve them in the work of the ACLU. This position will require the person to travel throughout North Carolina, but candidates should be based in or around the Triangle or the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area. Organizing does often require non-traditional hours based on key voter contact windows or night/weekend work. If the Field Organizer is working nights/weekends, they will coordinate time off with the Organizing Director to ensure sustainability and avoid burnout.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to and an understanding of civil rights, civil liberties, social justice, and the ACLU-NC mission, goals, and programs
Alignment with the values of the ACLU-NC and a professional commitment to advancing them
Ability to work in an environment committed to diversity with a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race/ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socio-economic circumstance, immigration status, age, and lived experience as people impacted by the carceral system
At least two (2) years' experience working in coalition, on grassroots campaigns, and recruiting and developing volunteers
Experience with creative and effective problem solving
Ability to work well independently and in a collaborative team environment
Skills to effectively manage competing priorities, time, and capacity
Issue-based and/or electoral campaign experience including phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, text banking, tabling and leading volunteers through these tactics
Excellent attention to detail and superior organizational and planning skills
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects difference
Strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure and effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities
A willingness and ability to speak in public and to facilitate meetings and training across a broad range of audiences
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and experience addressing a wide range of audiences
Proficiency in MS products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and EveryAction or a similar CRM
Must be willing and available to work irregular hours, including some evenings and weekends
Valid drivers’ license and willingness to travel as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience with one or more of the ACLU of North Carolina’s priority issue areas: racial justice, immigrants’ rights, criminal law reform, gender equity, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ equality
Ability to demonstrate a personal commitment to uplifting the voices and leadership of people who have been directly impacted by the issues the ACLU-NC champions
Possess knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance
Have experience and familiarity with a range of organizing styles and models, including campaign organizing and digital organizing strategies
Experience and interest in litigation as a tactic in a larger struggle for social justice
Demonstrated experience in volunteer development and management
Bilingual or multilingual

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Organizing Director and in collaboration with the Policy & Advocacy, Communications, and Legal Departments, help inform and implement clear organizing strategies that achieve the organization’s integrated campaign objectives
Help create detailed campaign plans that turn goals into tactics, timelines, and metrics
Facilitate the ACLU-NC’s presence at community events to mobilize and expand support for state-based civil liberties issues among ACLU-NC members, non-member supporters, and others and to recruit volunteers to engage with our work
Work alongside members from directly impacted communities, including building and maintaining strong working relationships with community partners and grassroots coalition members to find opportunities for collaboration and learning
Draft “call to actions” to mobilize volunteer leaders and community members to take action to support advocacy goals
In collaboration with the Legal Department, help develop and conduct Know Your Rights and other training specific to ACLU-NC issue areas for community members
In collaboration with the Communications and Policy & Advocacy Departments, help develop persuasive and informative outreach materials to be used for organizing purposes
Use organizing technology tools, including the CRM EveryAction, peer-to-peer text messaging, e-mail, and phone calls to mobilize engagement with ACLU-NC campaigns by supporters and volunteers
Conduct training for ACLU-NC members, supporters, and activists to develop them into strong leaders, advocates, and messengers for the civil liberties and civil rights movement
Recruit and develop volunteers through communication tools, one-to-one meetings, trainings, recognition, leadership development, and ongoing engagement
Develop relationships with partners throughout North Carolina to build collective power
Help maintain and consistently update information in volunteer database to keep records current
Consistently track goal progress, produce and help assess reports, and adjust plans as necessary
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

3 weeks paid vacation at time of hire (increasing after two years of employment)
10 paid office holidays, 1 floating holiday, summer recess (last week of August) and winter recess (December 25 - January 1)
10 paid sick days
Hybrid work environment
Generous medical, dental and vision insurance options for staff members, their dependents and spouse/domestic partner
Employer-funded health reimbursement account
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
Up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave
Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
401(k) defined contribution retirement plan with employer match
Annual professional development allotment
Free on-site parking