Advocacy Assistant

ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIF • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Advocacy Assistant will provide administrative support to policy advocates, paralegals, and attorneys to support the work of the Advocacy Department. This position will require flexibility, an eagerness to learn the inner workings of impact advocacy, and exceptional multi-tasking and prioritization skills. The Advocacy Assistant reports to the Director of Advocacy Support and may be mentored by a Senior Paralegal. The Advocacy Assistant, like all staff within the ACLU of Southern California, is expected to model professional workplace behavior and standards, and clearly and enthusiastically demonstrate our core values of accountability, collaboration, diversity, excellence, honesty, integrity, humility, and open communication. This is a hybrid role. The Advocacy Assistant will be required to come to any ACLU SoCal office location up to 3 times per quarter.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience providing administrative support, preferably in a legal office.
• A strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights.
• Mastery of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and other Office programs, including facility with Zoom, spreadsheets, and tables.
• Ability to quickly pick up new software and overall technological competence.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Candidate must be able to learn quickly and quickly apply new skills.
• Ability to work independently while also being a team player.
• Ability to keep track of and meet deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative and handle a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work with coalitions and community members.
• Applicants must be willing to work occasional overtime on evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience working in public interest or social justice advocacy, coalitions and/or working with impacted communities.
• Desire to learn how an impact advocacy organization works, one that uses a variety of advocacy tools to achieve large, long-term social change.
• Written and oral fluency in Spanish.
• Experience working in a non-profit preferred.
• Experience working in coalitions and with impacted communities desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Advocacy Department, including supporting the internship program.
• Assist Paralegals with court filings and discovery management (organization of exhibits, scanning and copying documents, coordinating medical records requests, sending and organizing PRA requests and responses, coordination of courier services, etc.) at the discretion of the Director of Advocacy Support.
• Manage and maintain various databases through data entry, generating reports, security updates, etc.
• Drafting simple correspondence and memos.
• Non-legal substance research projects.
• Coordination and implementation of large mailing projects.
• Assist with case-opening tasks and maintaining case files including pleadings, discovery, correspondence, dockets, etc.
• Make travel arrangements.
• Assist with department financial tasks.
• Miscellaneous copying, scanning, shredding, binding, etc.
• Provide logistical support for meetings, both in and out of the office, including helping to organize the ACLU’s involvement in coalitions and coordinated policy advocacy efforts, notetaking, etc.
• Manage end-to-end coordination of large-scale Zoom meetings including scheduling, hosting, and technical oversight.
• Be presented with opportunities to conduct in-person meetings with incarcerated clients in correctional facilities.
• Attend community meetings when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their eligible dependents
• life and long-term, short-term disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• ample vacation and sick leave
• twenty-two paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees