ROLE OVERVIEW

The Smart Justice Organizing Coordinator will be responsible for assisting in the transformation of Alabama’s criminal justice system by connecting and supporting folks on the ground, especially those who have been directly impacted by the justice system. 

As a member of the organizing team, the Organizing Coordinator will help build our volunteer base and engage activists in building political power and organizational capacity for the ACLU-AL by working with our internal teams, coalition partners, and fellows in planning and implementing grassroots advocacy campaigns that support Smart Justice statewide policy goals.   

The ACLU-AL partner base is diverse, including people who are directly impacted by the issues we work on as well as allies, from many different backgrounds and life experiences, all motivated by a desire to make change and advance civil liberties. The Organizing Coordinator works with our staff to meet volunteers wherever they are in their activism journey to develop their skills, their commitment to racial justice and other forms of equity, and their ability to meaningfully engage in our work. The Smart Justice Organizing Coordinator reports to the Organizing Director. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Identify and maintain new volunteers, cultivate volunteer leaders; supervise and provide ongoing professional developmentopportunities for those volunteers and any future organizing staff that may be hired by the ACLU-AL. 
  • Help manage, plan, and actively participate in programs and events for the ACLU-AL Smart Justice Organizing School Fellowship and Werk the Lege program to help develop participants in their legislative advocacy and organizing skills. This includes but is not limited to creating and delivering in-person trainings and/or identifying and coordinating external trainers and/or training programs for additional leadership development.
  • During the interim and legislative sessions of the General Assembly, be the point person coordinating mobilization of justice advocates to lobby, testify, and speak out to further ACLU-AL Smart Justice policy goals.
  • Collaborate with the Organizing Director to connect fellows and partners with volunteer opportunities, lead trainings or other activities such as phone banks, and plan and implement workshops, meetings, or smaller events.
  • Frequent statewide travel is required.

COMPETENCIES

  • Knowledge/Skill: Able to retain detailed instructions, and ensure that they are carried out accurately in every instance
  • Problem Solving: Able to solve routine challenges of processing work requests in one’s area of assignment.
  • Decision Making: Exercises a degree of independent decision-making; ability to work with less guidance and cross-functionality. Reports directly to the Advocacy Director
  • Leadership/Management: May manage fellows, volunteers, advocates
  • Leadership:  May manage people, teams, projects internally; Manages partner advocates. Meaningfully contributes to a culture of equity and inclusion and engages in trauma informed work. 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • At least one (1) years of experience working in community advocating for change
  • At least one (1) year of experience working directly with volunteers strongly preferred.
  • Personal experience being incarcerated or in other ways system impacted.
  • Knowledge of criminal justice reform advocacy and messaging, or an ability to quickly become conversant with the latest decarceration research, messaging, and tactics used to educate the public and move policymakers.  
  • This position is based in Alabama but requires frequent statewide travel. Candidates must reside in Alabama and have reliable transportation.
  • Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU. Strong passion for criminal justice issues, commitment to criminal justice reform, and an understanding of the racialized nature of the criminal justice system are absolutely essential.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills.
  • Strong written and oral communications skills.
  • Superb organization skills: detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
  • Demonstrates comfort in implementing standard equity and inclusion practices, group facilitation and use of language.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU of Alabama: $55,000 - $62,000. Benefits include medical and disability insurance, 401(k) and vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a letter of interest, current resume, and salary requirements via e-mail to: jobs@aclualabama.org with “Smart Justice Organizing Coordinator” in the subject field.

The ACLU of Alabama is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary and transgender individuals.  Any candidates requesting accommodations may either contact us above, or an independent 3rd party at ACLU@rocketcityhr.com  or (256)272-9555 and dialing ext. 9.

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this job description restricts the Executive Director's right to assign other duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.

The ACLU of Alabama is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status and commits to comply with all applicable equal opportunity and nondiscrimination laws and to refrain from unlawful discrimination.

 

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