Position Vacancy

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Project
Public Policy Coordinator

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska Foundation invites applications for the position of LGBT Public Policy Coordinator. The ACLU of Alaska Foundation is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to the advancing the cause of civil liberties in Alaska through public education, legal action, legislative advocacy and coalition building, and grassroots organizing. We are affiliated with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to advocacy, public education, and litigation in support of civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of Alaska is a friendly, fast-paced environment with employees committed to the cause of civil liberties.

Position Description:
The LGBT Public Policy Coordinator will report to the Executive Director. The Coordinator will have primary responsibility for developing and implementing an organizing and advocacy strategy to advance and defend LGBT rights in Alaska. The Coordinator must comfortable with public speaking and be able to represent ACLU positions to the public generally. Travel, as well as work on nights and weekends, will be required. This is a grant-funded position with guaranteed funding for 2 years, with the possibility of additional funding after the grant has expired.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an organizing and advocacy strategy to advance and defend LGBT rights in Alaska.
• Increase Public awareness and understanding of the equal protection laws and the rights of LGBT individuals through outreach and education campaigns.
• Outreach to local organizations and decision-makers to educate them on LGTB issues.
• Coordinate with coalition partners on LGBT-related issues, including working with local organizations and activists to respond uniformly to any attempt by the legislature to decrease the constitutional rights of LGBT individuals.
• Work with the national ACLU LGBT & AIDS Project and other national organizations to develop strategies to defeat any decrease in the constitutional rights of LGBT individuals and their families.
• Monitor municipal governments in the state to ensure compliance with the equal protection benefits law and identify targets for possible enforcement action.
• Maintain a summary of the project's activities and assist in grant reporting as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with LGBT rights, same-sex benefits, or other civil liberties issues is desirable; commitment to those issues is essential.
• Experience in developing and coordinating successful public policy, legislative or activist campaigns, or comparable experience
• Excellent research, analytical and communication skills, including ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences.
• Experience in motivating volunteers and working cooperatively with groups and in coalitions.
• Applicants should be self-motivated, organized, diligent, and have the proven ability to work with a wide range of people.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and other basic software programs required.
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU or the advancement of civil liberties under the U.S. and Alaska Constitutions; understanding of basic liberties issues and current affairs a plus.
• Knowledge of and commitment to living in Alaska.

Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation is commensurate with experience within the parameters of Alaska non-profit environment, and includes benefits for full-time employees.

Application Process:
Please send letter of interest, resume, writing sample and contact information for three references to:

Jeffrey Mittman, Executive Director
ACLU of Alaska Foundation
P.O. Box 201844
Anchorage, AK 99520

Applications may also be submitted by fax to 907-258-0288 or by email to akclu@akclu.org . Such inquiries should include "LGBT Public Policy Coordinator Applicant" in the reference field and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word.

The ACLU of Alaska is an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBT persons are encouraged to apply.