ACLU-NC Field Organizer
Durham, NC
Full Time
Entry Level
ABOUT THE ACLU OF NORTH CAROLINA
The ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) is an affiliate of the National ACLU. For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s achieving full equality for LGBTQ+ people, working to transform our broken and racist criminal legal system, defending freedom of speech, religion, and the right to protest, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.
Two critical components of our work are uplifting the voices and leadership of impacted people and applying an anti-racist lens to all aspects of our internal and external functions including but not limited to our issue campaigns, recruitment and human resources, strategic planning, donor and volunteer relations, Board and committee processes, and deciding what cases to litigate. We are looking for candidates who share our commitment to our values.
The ACLU-NC brings together litigation, legislative advocacy, communications, and organizing strategies to empower communities and achieve our objectives in major issue areas including criminal law reform, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and the rights of immigrants. With 30,000 members and supporters across the state, the ACLU-NC has a staff of more than 25 people with an office in Durham.
THE OPPORTUNITY
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.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Campaign planning and execution
• 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
Capacity Building and Management
• 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
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, THE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE
• 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
TO STAND OUT FROM THE OTHERS, YOU WILL
• 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
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?
You are welcome here! The ACLU-NC is committed to an inclusive work environment that reflects the population that we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building an organization where all employees and North Carolinians can be proud. We eagerly anticipate 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, parental status, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
COMPENSATION
The annual salary range for this position is $71,000 - 81,000, based on experience. Excellent benefits include but are not limited to:
• 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
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The ACLU-NC/LF is a unionized employer, and the Field Organizer position is part of the union bargaining unit. Salary and benefits are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
TO APPLY
Applications may be submitted via this link (ACLU-NC Field Organizer - American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina - Career Page) and should include a cover letter explaining your specific interest in working for the ACLU of North Carolina and a resume. Please note that we will only be able to follow up with those candidates under consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The ACLU-NC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color from applying for jobs for which they would otherwise be competitive, we encourage all qualified individuals to apply -- especially people of color; women; people from low-income backgrounds; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
The ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) is an affiliate of the National ACLU. For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s achieving full equality for LGBTQ+ people, working to transform our broken and racist criminal legal system, defending freedom of speech, religion, and the right to protest, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.
Two critical components of our work are uplifting the voices and leadership of impacted people and applying an anti-racist lens to all aspects of our internal and external functions including but not limited to our issue campaigns, recruitment and human resources, strategic planning, donor and volunteer relations, Board and committee processes, and deciding what cases to litigate. We are looking for candidates who share our commitment to our values.
The ACLU-NC brings together litigation, legislative advocacy, communications, and organizing strategies to empower communities and achieve our objectives in major issue areas including criminal law reform, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and the rights of immigrants. With 30,000 members and supporters across the state, the ACLU-NC has a staff of more than 25 people with an office in Durham.
THE OPPORTUNITY
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.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Campaign planning and execution
• 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
Capacity Building and Management
• 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
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, THE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE
• 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
TO STAND OUT FROM THE OTHERS, YOU WILL
• 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
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?
You are welcome here! The ACLU-NC is committed to an inclusive work environment that reflects the population that we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building an organization where all employees and North Carolinians can be proud. We eagerly anticipate 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, parental status, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
COMPENSATION
The annual salary range for this position is $71,000 - 81,000, based on experience. Excellent benefits include but are not limited to:
• 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
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The ACLU-NC/LF is a unionized employer, and the Field Organizer position is part of the union bargaining unit. Salary and benefits are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
TO APPLY
Applications may be submitted via this link (ACLU-NC Field Organizer - American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina - Career Page) and should include a cover letter explaining your specific interest in working for the ACLU of North Carolina and a resume. Please note that we will only be able to follow up with those candidates under consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The ACLU-NC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color from applying for jobs for which they would otherwise be competitive, we encourage all qualified individuals to apply -- especially people of color; women; people from low-income backgrounds; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
The ACLU-NC and the ACLU-NCLF is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color from applying for jobs for which they would otherwise be competitive, we encourage all qualified individuals to apply -- especially people of color; women; people from low-income backgrounds; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
Apply for this position
Required*