Field Organizer
Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation

FIELD ORGANIZER

Freedom to Marry Campaign
Two-Year Position

AS AN ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL PEOPLE, THE MCLU CONTINUES TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, TRANSGENDER, BISEXUAL, LESBIAN AND GAY PERSONS TO APPLY.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation seeks a Field Organizer to organize a comprehensive advocacy, outreach, and public education campaign to advance protections for LGBT individuals and their families. The MCLU, an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, is a statewide not-for-profit public interest organization committed to advancing and preserving civil liberties in Maine through advocacy, education, and litigation. The MCLU, founded in 1968, has over 3600 members. The office is in Portland.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Field Organizer will work under direct supervision of the Executive Director to help execute the public education and mobilization components of the MCLU’s freedom to marry and anti-discrimination campaigns and will be responsible for community outreach and organizing strategies aimed at solidifying support for marriage equality within the MCLU membership and the broader Maine community.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Work with the Executive Director to design and implement public education and mobilization strategies to promote marriage equality.
• Organize grassroots lobbying efforts connecting constituents to elected officials to advance anti-discrimination and freedom to marry efforts.
• Plan and execute public forums, rallies, news conferences, panel discussions, trainings, and other events designed to mobilize MCLU members and the public around the freedom to marry.
• Represent the MCLU at coalition meetings, tabling events, rallies, public speaking engagements and/or other events when requested by the Executive Director.
• Recruit, train, empower, and organize volunteers to become community leaders and advocates in a statewide movement for fairness.
• Organize young people, utilizing traditional organizing methods as well as social networking and web-based outreach tools.
• Produce and maintain updated outreach materials (flyers, brochures, event notices, press releases, newsletters and other publications).
• Work collaboratively with key coalition partners to expand and strengthen the Freedom to Marry and Maine Won’t Discriminate coalitions.
• Other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong commitment to and understanding of the mission of the MCLU/ACLU. Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of LGBT communities and issues. Grassroots, political, or campaign organizing experience. Experience working with diverse populations and constituent groups including but not limited to business, faith, and cultural organizations. Demonstrated computer literacy. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Willingness to speak in public and facilitate meetings and trainings. Exceptional interpersonal skills, attention to detail and work ethic required. Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, and understanding of and experience with the legislative process and constituent lobbying preferred. Because this position will require community outreach and organizing throughout the state, applicants must have a willingness and ability to travel often and to maintain a flexible work schedule. Bachelor's degree preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary is commensurate with experience, within the parameters of the MCLU compensation scale. Generous benefits package includes paid vacation and holidays, employer-paid health, life and disability insurance, and pension plan; optional 401(k).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
By no later than August 1, interested persons should submit a letter of interest which includes desired salary range, a resume, names and phone numbers of three references and a writing sample to:

MCLU Search
401 Cumberland Ave., Suite 105
Portland, ME, 04101.