Job Description
Field Organizer
ACLU of Texas

The ACLU of Texas is a non-profit, public interest organization devoted to protecting civil liberties and civil rights. Its staff of nineteen employees and numerous volunteers works in a fast-paced, friendly office. The ACLU of Texas is the eighth largest ACLU affiliate in the nation, with more than 16,000 members. In addition to the Austin office, we have 14 volunteer chapters and student clubs around the state.

The Field Organizer will inspire, support, and strengthen our network of chapters and activists and will implement strategic education and mobilization campaigns in concert with our legal, legislative, and public education staff. The Field Organizer is a member of the ACLU of Texas’s leadership team and reports to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Field Program

• Strengthen the activities and effectiveness of ACLU of Texas chapters and activists; provide information, guidance, assistance, and training to chapter leadership; assist chapters in meeting their organizational requirements and track their progress; attend occasional chapter meetings; cultivate the establishment of new chapters as appropriate.
• Design and implement grassroots strategies to mobilize ACLU of Texas members and supporters to take meaningful action on ACLU’s local, state, and national agenda.
• Working with the Public Education Department, expand use of web-based technologies as a tool for activists to advance ACLU of Texas’s program goals.
• Develop targeted mailings and email alerts to ACLU of Texas members on legislative topics in collaboration with the Legislative Director; organize phone banks, track activist participation, and coordinate related chapter activities.
• Work with and support local chapters to increase the ACLU’s presence statewide and grassroots effectiveness, including yearly planning, special event development, town halls, membership campaigns and coalition-building opportunities.
• Develop strategies to increase and broaden membership and support of the ACLU-TX, including electronic advocacy, list purchases and new member and renewal appeals. Prepare regular reports to the Executive Director of significant membership trends.

Issue Campaigns

• Plan and coordinate selected issue campaigns around selected issues, in collaboration with ACLU program staff.
• Strengthen and nurture alliances with communities of color, youth groups and other interest groups on key issues.
• Working with the Public Education Department, develop written materials, including information packets, letters, flyers, and other documents to advance issue campaigns.
• Represent the ACLU in various coalitions and before community groups.
• Work with the national ACLU on various federal or nationwide issues.

Other

• Recruit, train, and supervise Field interns.
• Assist chapters to organize public events and testimony at public hearings.
• Attend various ACLU functions. Handle other projects, as assigned.
• Engage in public speaking, write articles for the organization’s newsletter and articulate the ACLU’s view to the public on a broad range of issues.
• Supervise the allocation of funds to local units and work with finance staff to ensure compliance with state budget and accounting requirements.
• Work with development staff on fundraising and donor cultivation events.
• Assist the Executive Director in maintaining a strong team spirit within the office.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent leadership skills to facilitate communication and collaboration.
• At least four years in developing and coordinating successful political, legislative, or activist campaigns, or similar experience.
• Experience with on-line organizing and communication.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; experience as a public spokesperson and advocate (bilingual skills a plus).
• Ability to work effectively with lawyers and other professional staff; comfort with analyzing and articulating legal concepts and other complex issues and communicating them to a variety of audiences; a "quick study" on a dynamic array of issues.
• Ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, to manage several projects simultaneously, and to adjust to frequently changing demands. Proficient in using Microsoft Office software.
• Experience in supervising and motivating volunteers and working cooperatively with groups.
• Familiarity with and a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights; personal enthusiasm and a confident, professional presentation.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• Ability to work occasional overtime or irregular hours, to attend evening meetings, and to travel.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Salary range $36,000 to $45,000, generous benefit package that includes vacation, excellent medical and dental insurance; disability insurance; pension plan.

APPLICATION:
To apply, mail a letter of application and a resume to:

Field Organizer Screening Committee
ACLU of Texas
P.O. Box 12905
Austin, Texas 78711

(Please no fax or email applications.) Position closes March 27, 2008.

The ACLU OF TEXAS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and lesbians and gays to apply.