Campaign Organizer (Criminal Legal)

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff. Learn more about the ACLU-WA.

ACLU-WA is seeking a Campaign Organizer. Working in the Integrated Advocacy Department under the management of the Field Director, the Campaign Organizer furthers the ACLU-WA’s work to champion and advance political goals the ACLU-WA has prioritized in consultation with impacted community partners. The Campaign Organizer will build political power with and in communities disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression by cultivating trusted relationships with community partner organizations and facilitating collaboration among internal and external stakeholders in the implementation of campaign strategies that advance shared political goals. The Campaign Organizer will focus on campaigns to advance equity and fairness in Washington’s criminal legal system and may also work on campaigns related to other civil rights and civil liberties issues. 

• Participation in ACLU-WA’s race equity work. This may include utilizing ACLU-WA race equity tools, adopting ACLU-WA race equity practices, etc.
• Cultivate trusted relationships with community partners, including those representing and led by directly impacted people. Working in collaboration with the Field Director and staff in other ACLU-WA departments, develop plans for broadening and deepening the ACLU-WA’s relationships in particular geographic areas, or with and among people with particular lived experience or expertise, and support effective execution of those plans. 
• Represent the ACLU-WA externally in campaign coalition meetings and other campaign organizing spaces. Share information about the ACLU-WA’s positions on issues, goals, and strategies with accuracy. Listen and learn about community partners’ priorities and positions and communicate that information to other staff in the ACLU-WA. 
• In collaboration with other advocacy staff, seek the input of organizations led by and/or centering the voices of directly impacted individuals and communities to help shape ACLU-WA’s priorities, strategies, and tactics. 
• Develop and implement coalition organizing workplans to help advance specific legislative priorities during legislative and electoral cycles, and through ballot measure campaigns. Recruit, educate, and mobilize campaign coalition partners to broaden and deepen base of support for political goals, facilitate coalition meetings for collective strategy development, support coalition partners in engaging in activities to influence lawmakers, help prepare people for testimony panels, and support inclusive and accountable collaboration by maintaining timely and accessible communication of updates. 
• Facilitate internal and external meetings related to specific legislative campaigns. 
• Serve as a key point of contact for campaign coalition partners, particularly partners who represent individuals directly impacted by the campaign issue. Work with coalition partners to build alignment around shared goals, identify areas of disagreement, and with the support of the Field Director and other ACLU-WA staff involved in the campaign, engage with coalition partners to redress conflict. Shepherd coalition partners’ engagement in developing and executing pivots in tactics (in response to changing circumstances and often under significant time pressure) to accomplish longer term strategy. 
• Help build community partner campaign organizing skills and capacity; share ACLU-WA information and tools, model their use, and provide mentorship as appropriate and welcomed. Identify opportunities to help build community partners’ political power and communicate those in the office. Facilitate or participate in, as assigned, coalitions convened to advance priority issues through direct and grassroots lobbying, and ballot measure proposals.

• An awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias.
• At least 2 years’ experience in motivating and mobilizing individuals and organizations to collaborate in advancing a shared legislative or electoral campaign goal. 
• Strong facility with Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to adapt to new technologies, including the Asana project management platform. 
• Experience working with constituent relationship management software preferred. 
• An understanding of civil liberties and civil rights issues. Lived experience with the criminal legal system, or prior experience working with people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with diplomacy, and to work effectively and respectfully with politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse people and communities. Demonstrated ability to bring people from diverse perspectives together around common goals. The ability to build and maintain genuine and strong relationships with people who have been marginalized by systems of oppression. 
• Experience managing and motivating coalitions to achieve specific, timebound legislative or electoral goals, including recruiting new allies, building and maintaining relationships, identifying and supporting leaders, serving as a consultant to community partners, shepherding pivots in strategy, engaging in generative conflict, and working with others to develop productive mechanisms to redress conflict. 
• Demonstrated capacity for self-reflection, and the ability to seek, accept, and apply constructive feedback. 
• Strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills combined with the ability to listen deeply and authentically.
• Strong group facilitation skills. 
• Ability to make presentations on complex issues to a variety of audiences; a "quick study" on a dynamic array of issues. 
• Experience in keeping organized in a fast-paced environment, managing several projects simultaneously, and adjusting to frequently changing demands. 
• Experience in having courageous conversations with colleagues and community partners. The ability to engage in candid conversations about racial equity, white supremacy, and allyship to communities impacted by systemic oppression.
• Excellent judgement regarding sharing sensitive information with external stakeholders; the ability to build trust, steward the ACLU-WA’s resources and reputation. 

• Be committed to advancing the mission, vision and values of the ACLU-WA;
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives; and
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington

CLASSIFICATION: This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This position is approved up to one (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE) and is “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. All staff are required to live within two driving hours from our downtown Seattle office.

Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Able to input information into a computer for long periods of time.
• Able to assess information communicated through a computer.
• Able to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to periodically work long and extended hours.
• Able to travel locally/regionally/across the state as needed.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: The ACLU-WA seeks to provide equitable and competitive compensation for attracting and retaining staff with the skill, judgment, and perseverance to confront challenges to civil rights and civil liberties and build a state where all people live with dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial and economic injustice and other forms of oppression. We provide a mix of compensation for staff that is intended to address today’s needs and allow planning for tomorrow and into retirement. As such, the ACLU-WA has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees.

The salary for this position is $83,409 - $99,903. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.

BENEFITS: Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days with an additional ten days given in 2024, fifteen holidays, employer-paid professional development, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, an employer contributed retirement plan, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass.

ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate by phone. This position is eligible for either a work phone or phone stipend, as well as an additional $150 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé on our job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and work.

HIRING TIMELINE: This position is open until filled with the first review of candidate applications scheduled for October 7, 2024. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.

REFERENCES: Please submit with your application three (3) professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment is extended before conducting reference checks.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.