Field Organizer

Job Description

Position Description

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU of Florida) seeks an Organizer to coordinate the ACLU’s outreach efforts on a variety of civil liberties issues, including but not limited to immigrants’ rights, voting rights, criminal justice reform, racial justice, women’s rights, and LGBT rights.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is freedom’s watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The position will be virtual and is responsible for organizing civil liberties activities across the state of Florida. The organizer will focus primarily on our Immigrant Rights or Voting Rights campaigns, which encompasses local reform, at the municipal and county levels.

The ACLU of Florida has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work. Work is focused on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights, while building the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement.

As a result of this campaign approach, the ACLU of Florida’s organizing model focuses on developing volunteer leaders for the civil liberties movement, mobilizing grassroots support for campaign objectives, and educating Florida residents about campaign objectives through person-to-person field contact. ACLU of Florida organizing is intended to engage both existing ACLU members/supporters/volunteers in the movement, as well as to reach new constituencies. Organizing at the ACLU of Florida centers the experiences and leadership of directly impacted people and engages directly impacted people in the work, while also ensuring that non-impacted allies engage in effective and substantive action.

Organizing at the ACLU of Florida is intended to complement the approaches used by some other groups— especially those that connect individuals to resources, build community/social capital, primarily react to unanticipated or emerging community concerns, or educate the public about important issues—but not to replicate those approaches. Organizing at the ACLU of Florida is instead oriented towards systemic change and policy action—moving people to take strategic actions that lead to decision-makers making different decisions, ones that result in the advancement of specific campaign objectives. These strategic actions can take place in the electoral, legislative, legal, and community education contexts. Organizing at the ACLU of Florida is also designed to build long-term political and community power for the civil liberties movement, so that civil liberties and civil rights are better protected and strengthened.

The Organizer will report to the Deputy Field Director and will work with a team of policy and advocacy staff throughout the state to advance ACLU priorities. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker; goal oriented and can motivate community members and decision makers. They are also a flexible team player who manages their time effectively.

Primary Responsibilities

The Organizer will:

• Build a strong demographic, community and political base of connections and relationships in the State of Florida;
• Identify, engage, and partner with key organizations, long-time partners and new entities and constituencies to advance ACLU policy objectives;
• Organize events and activities to advance the ACLU’s local, state and national policy priorities, as outlined above;
• Occasionally serve as a spokesperson at community gatherings and to press as needed in cooperation with the ACLU of Florida’s Communications Department;
• Collaborates with ACLU statewide leadership on increasing visibility of organizational initiatives and campaigns;
• Represent the ACLU of Florida in select coalitions;
• Operate as a part of the ACLU of Florida’s integrated advocacy team consisting of legal, communications, development and policy experts, and
• Perform additional duties, as necessary, as a Policy/Advocacy team member.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or a minimum of two years’ experience with organizing and grassroots mobilization is required; multi-year experience in issue organizing or similar experience is preferred;
• Demonstrated experience successfully implementing a local, state or federal advocacy campaign, including the ability to understand, articulate and maneuver government and power structures in order to successfully change policy;
• A demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights and the mission of the ACLU;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• The ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment and to manage several projects simultaneously;
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Publisher) and social media networking;
• Experience working cooperatively with diverse groups and organizations;
• Ability to build a vision, and to stimulate and inspire others;
• Ability to work cooperatively and willingness to learn new skills; and
• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings, and to travel throughout Florida.
• Must have a valid FL driver’s license and a vehicle.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be set depending upon experience. The ACLU of Florida provides excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance with generous vacation, holiday and sick leave policies, as well as a Defined Contribution 401K Retirement Plan.

Application Process: Please send cover letter and resume by email to [email protected]. All inquiries should include “Organizer Applicant” in the subject line and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or pdf format.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please.

The ACLU of Florida strongly encourages formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Florida reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. The ACLU of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Florida encourages 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, or veteran status. The ACLU of Florida undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.