Position Announcement
Field Director
American Civil Liberties Union of Texas
The ACLU of Texas is a non-profit, public interest organization devoted to protecting civil liberties and civil rights. Its staff of 18 employees and numerous volunteers work in a fast-paced, friendly office. The ACLU of Texas is one of the largest affiliates in the nation, with more than 17,000 members. In addition to the Austin headquarters, there is a regional office in Houston, ten active chapters and student clubs around the state.
The Field Director will create and implement a program to inspire, support, and strengthen our network of chapters and activists, and will implement strategic membership education, engage in coalition building and lead the field component of statewide and local issue campaigns in concert with our legal, legislative, development, and communications staff.
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.
• Expand use of web-based technologies as a tool for activists to advance ACLU of Texas program goals.
• Design, produce, and coordinate distribution of targeted mailings and email alerts to ACLU of Texas members on legislative topics; organize phone banks, track activist participation, and coordinate related chapter activities.
• Plan chapter summits in conjunction with the Affiliate Board of Directors and the affiliate development staff for training new chapter board members and officers.
• With the development department, help coordinate membership recruitment and retention efforts done by ACLU of Texas chapters.
Issue Campaigns
• Plan and coordinate high impact issue campaigns around selected issues, in collaboration with ACLU program and legislative staff.
• Strengthen and nurture alliances with communities of color and other interest groups on key issues.
• Develop written materials, including information packets, letters, flyers, legislative packets, and other documents to advance issue campaigns.
• Represent the ACLU in various coalitions and before community groups throughout the state.
• Work with the national ACLU to activate chapters and members in response to targeted, priority national outreach efforts.
Other
• Recruit, train, and supervise Field Department interns.
• Attend various ACLU functions not related to the field program
Qualifications
• Excellent leadership skills to facilitate communication and collaboration.
• At least 3 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 (ability to speak Spanish is 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.
• Ability to work irregular hours, to attend evening and weekend meetings, and to travel often and for extended periods of time to other Texas cities.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary commensurate with experience; excellent medical and dental insurance; disability insurance; pension plan.
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.
Additional Qualifications:
How to Apply:
Application
Electronic applications in MS Word preferred. Submit a letter of interest and résumé to:
e-mail: jobs@aclutx.org
or fax: (512) 478-7303
or mail: LaVelle Franklin
ACLU of Texas
P. O. Box 12905
Austin, TX 78711
Applications must be received no later than May 30, 2006.