The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC) is seeking a full-time Advancing Racial and Economic Justice Policy Advocate.
The ACLUFSDIC is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) civil liberties and civil rights organization. working to advance equality, freedom and justice through public education and litigation. Together with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that does our legislative lobbying work, we are prominent force for the protection and expansion of fundamental rights in California’s second-most populous county (San Diego) and the county with the highest per capita Latina/o population (Imperial).
With affiliate offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the ACLU fights tirelessly in courts, in legislatures, and in communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the United States Constitution and U.S. laws to everyone in this country. The work of the ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (known collectively as ACLU-SDIC) encompasses the length of California’s border with Mexico. We collaborate with the National ACLU and with ACLU affiliates in California, on the U.S-Mexico border and throughout the United States. We strive to partner with community organizations and groups across the state and throughout the binational border region.
After 15 months of intensive strategic planning for our future – led by the ACLU-SDIC leadership team, ACLU-SDIC is restructuring to become an integrated advocacy organization that operationalizes our theory of change and prioritizes racial and economic justice, liberation and abolition. We are building on the affiliate’s proven track record of success combining impact litigation, lobbying, legal/policy analysis and research, field organizing, donor mobilization, strategic communications and non-partisan voter engagement to achieve meaningful, lasting social change across our region.
The ACLU-SDIC is dedicated to confronting issues that threaten our most cherished civil rights and freedoms and defending the progress the ACLU has made over its 100-year history. And we are dedicated to working in relationship with people directly impacted by inequity to create a more just and fair society for us all.
Position Overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual, eager to take on an unparalleled opportunity to work as part of our local team to support efforts to achieve policy change on racial justice issues including economic justice, access to housing and education equity. The successful applicant will understand how to determine priorities, work in coalitions, and develop actions by what will move our work forward.
As a member of the Advocacy and Legal team and working under the supervision of the Advocacy and Legal Director, the Advancing Racial and Economic Justice Policy Advocate in collaboration with the Advancing Racial and Economic Justice issue team will identify policy change opportunities, conduct policy research and writing, help develop issue campaigns and messaging, mobilize constituencies and coalitions, and work with decision-makers at local, state, and national level.
Job Responsibilities:
- Plan and execute grassroots and policy advocacy campaigns to effect changes at the local and state levels through legislation, changes in government policy and ballot measures, with a focus on racial justice issues including economic justice, access to housing and education equity.
- Develop advocacy materials including fact sheets, toolkits, and letters.
- Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, and ACLU members, to strengthen collaboration, and to support and engage in the ACLU-SDIC and ACLU of CA’s work in this area, as well as other ACLU priority campaigns.
- Organize, lead and participate in community education events and meetings.
- Serve as a press spokesperson for the ACLU-SDIC and as a public speaker on racial and economic justice issues.
- Organize and attend lobbying visits with national, state and local officials and provide testimony to administrative agencies and governing bodies; and develop and cultivate relationships with lawmakers and decision-makers to advance organizing and policy advocacy objectives.
- Provide technical support and strategic leadership to community groups, advocates and organizers in the region.
- Support the ACLU-SDIC’s base building, volunteer leadership development, and voter education work, as needed.
- Support intakes process as needed.
- Provide logistical support for meetings, both in and out of the office, and policy advocacy efforts, including helping to organize the ACLU’s involvement in coalitions and coordinated policy advocacy efforts.
- Manage and maintain various databases through data entry, generating reports, etc.
- Occasional work evenings and weekends.
- Occasional travel throughout the region and other parts of the state.
- Other duties, as needed and assigned.
Qualifications
- A demonstrated commitment to the cause of civil liberties and civil rights, including racial and economic justice.
- At least 3 years of organizing, campaign, and/or advocacy experience and a proven track record of developing and implementing successful policy and/or political campaigns.
- Experience planning and facilitating workshops, trainings, meetings, and other community events.
- Ability to explain complex policy principles in simple terms.
- Experience working effectively with coalitions.
- Excellent communication skills: written and verbal.
- Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
- Flexible team player and also comfortable working independently and taking initiative.
- Knowledge of state and local government politics;
- Familiarity with communities in San Diego County.
Cultural Competencies
Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction. Courage and impeccable integrity.
Physical Requirements
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to exchange accurate information, detect/identify documents and the information contained in them, move between areas in and out of the office to complete their role. The employee may need to move various equipment including computer to their work location.
Travel Requirements
Must be able to travel as needed.
Compensation
Salary range: $65,000-$96,000/year
Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; 20 office holidays; medical and dental
insurance for staff members and their families; life and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k)
plan with employer match.
What Now?
Please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position as
detailed in this announcement, a current resume, writing sample, and names and contact information of three professional references (including at least one supervisor).
Electronic applications are preferred. To submit your application, please click here.
However, hard-copy applications can be mailed to:
Deputy Director
ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties
P.O. Box 87131
San Diego, CA 92137-7131
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, veterans, and people with arrest records and/or convictions.
