Fuse Washington

Field Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington

FIELD DIRECTOR

Full Time Position Available

The ACLU of Washington is a non-profit, public interest organization devoted to protecting civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU advances its goals through legal and legislative advocacy, media and public awareness efforts, information and training, membership mobilization, and coalition work. Its staff of thirty employees and numerous volunteers work in a fast-paced, friendly, and professional office.

The Field Director, a member of the ACLU of Washington’s leadership team, implements strategic education and mobilization campaigns in concert with our legal, legislative, and communications departments. The Director is responsible for member and grassroots action; coordination of statewide and local advocacy campaigns; development of ACLU’s presence and leadership across the state; and oversight of our online advocacy system. The Field Director reports to the Executive Director and Deputy Director and works closely with other senior staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and coordinate multi-faceted advocacy campaigns on key issues in collaboration with senior staff; build and participate in coalitions; develop and direct grassroots strategies to mobilize supporters and allies to advance ACLU issues.
• Inspire, support, and strengthen our volunteer chapters and activists throughout the state; provide information, guidance, technical assistance, and training to chapter leadership; assist chapters to organize public events and testimony at public hearings; attend occasional chapter meetings; cultivate the establishment of new chapters, as appropriate.
• Workings with other members of the “web team,” manage our online activism and help increase the use of web-based technologies to advance ACLU-WA’s program goals.
• Oversee the design, production and distribution of targeted mailings, information packets, letters, flyers, and other tools for activists, working in collaboration with other program staff.
• Represent the ACLU in various coalitions and before community groups. Work with the national ACLU on federal and nationwide issues.
• Train and supervise advocacy staff and interns. Supervise field staff that support ACLU student club and handle outreach activities. Evaluate the effectiveness of field activities; track activist participation and outcomes.
• Bilingual in underserved language is preferred. Help maintain a positive, respectful, welcoming, and professional work environment and a strong team spirit within the office.

• Attend various ACLU functions. Assist in other activities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least five years experience in developing and coordinating successful public interest, legislative, political or similar campaigns. Extensive knowledge of grassroots organizing strategies and advocacy techniques, including knowledge of on-line organizing and internet-based communications strategies.
• Excellent communication and analytic skills, both written and oral; ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and to communicate about them to a variety of audiences; a “quick study” on a dynamic array of issues.
• Ability to work effectively with lawyers, other professionals, and activists, as well as groups and individuals across the demographic and political spectrum. Strong group facilitation and coalition building skills.
• Experience supervising, conducting trainings for, and motivating staff and volunteers. An ability to inspire others; personal enthusiasm and a confident, positive, and professional presentation.
• Experience in effectively keeping organized in a fast-paced environment, managing several projects simultaneously, and adjusting to frequently changing demands.
• A demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights. 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.
• Strong facility with Microsoft Office suite. Experience with Convio software or other web-based tools is a plus.
• Ability to work beyond 9 to 5 as needed, to attend evening meetings, and for occasional travel to other parts of Washington state. A valid Washington State driver’s license is required.

• Bilingual skills in an underserved language are a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale. Excellent benefits package is provided, including three weeks vacation to start, excellent medical and dental insurance, disability insurance, pension plan, and a commuter FlexPass.

APPLICATION

To apply, mail a letter of application and a résumé to:
Field Director Screening Committee
ACLU of Washington
705 2nd Avenue, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104-1799

Please no fax or email applications. Applications accepted until the position is filled, at which time the announcement will be removed from our website.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

The ACLU of Washington comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation. The ACLU of Washington and the ACLU of Washington Foundation share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU of Washington.”