ORGANIZING DIRECTOR
Application Deadline: July 7, 2008
Inquiries will be accepted until position is filled.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU-NC) seeks experienced applicants for its Organizing Director position. The Organizing Director works to inspire, mobilize, support and expand our existing network of members, volunteers and activists; build the capacity and effectiveness of our organizing and political strategies; and implement high-impact campaigns on a wide range of critical civil liberties issues. As a member of the ACLU-NC’s senior leadership team, the Organizing Director reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with the Legal, Policy, Legislative, Communications, and Development Directors in shaping the future of the ACLU-NC.

Job Description:

The Organizing Director’s responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership of the ACLU-NC’s organizing program, related to local, statewide and national legislative action;
• Educating and building effective relationships with elected officials on ACLU-NC’s priority civil liberties issues, and developing a cadre of leaders and activists to take legislative action;
• Developing and implementing strategies to deploy 55,000 ACLU-NC members as advocates for civil liberties;
• Providing guidance and support for ACLU-NC’s 22 local chapters and activist groups;
• Forging and strengthening collaborative efforts with other civil rights and civil liberties organizations and with diverse communities, including communities of color and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities;
• Collaborating with other ACLU-NC departments to implement public policy and political campaigns, involving a combination of legal, legislative, public education and organizing strategies;
• Collaborating with two other ACLU affiliates in California on statewide issues and ballot measure campaigns;
• Collaborating with the National ACLU office on national issues and federal legislation;
• Building and nurturing effective multi-organizational coalitions on priority issues and statewide campaigns;
• Growing the ACLU-NC’s email activist list and integrating new technologies as online activist tools;
• Organizing major public events (such as the annual Bill of Rights Day celebration), hearings, conferences and training opportunities;
• Responding to requests from ACLU-NC activists and Board members;
• Working with the Communications Department to create and implement a consistent, vibrant email action alert calendar;
• Preparing reports for the Executive Director, Board and chapters as needed;
• Supervising the San Jose Office Director; the ACLU-NC Youth Project; and two Organizers; and
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be a sophisticated political activist (minimum of five years experience) or legislative staffer and/or lobbyist with a proven track record of accomplishments. Other qualifications include:

• Extraordinary leadership skills;
• Substantial experience developing successful political/legislative and activist campaigns;
• Ability to articulate and form a strategic vision for a more effective and more diverse field program;
• Experience with online organizing and communication;
• Familiarity with and/or expertise in a broad range of civil liberties issues, including those emerging from the aftermath of September 11, the death penalty, criminal justice issues, reproductive freedom, and equal justice on the basis of race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation;
• A “quick study” on a dynamic array of issues;
• A deep and demonstrated commitment to the cause of civil liberties and civil rights;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as a public spokesperson and advocate (bilingual skills preferred);
• Experience in working effectively with experienced lawyers and other professional staff;
• Experience mobilizing communities of color and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities;
• Comfort with analyzing and articulating legal concepts and other complex issues and communicating them to a variety of audiences;
• Management experience, including supervising staff, managing budgets, and juggling multiple priorities and projects effectively;
• Personal enthusiasm and optimism, and a sense of humor.

Compensation:
Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members and their dependents and spouses/ domestic partners; life and long-term disability insurance; pension; and twelve paid holidays.

To Apply:
Applicants should mail a resume and cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in this position to the attention of Human Resources- Organizing Director Position,

ACLU of Northern California
39 Drumm Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
or
email to HR-Admin@aclunc.org.

(Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.)

The ACLU-NC is proud to be an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are particularly urged to apply.