ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is the leading civil rights organizations in the Lone Star State. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend the civil rights for Texans throughout the state. The ACLU of Texas is both a nonprofit and
nonpartisan organization. The ACLU of Texas operates professional offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Brownsville, Texas.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Community Engagement Associate executes projects that engage ACLUTX supporters and organizations and encourage them to take action in support of civil liberties across a range of issue areas. This is a role for someone with 1 to 5 years of experience in organizing
and advocacy work. The position reports to the Community Engagement Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Executes projects that contribute to the department’s community engagement objectives, with strong support and direction from the supervisor.
• Develops skills in outreach to organizations, training, organizing activists and coalition work through on-the-job experiences, including building familiarity with relevant tools and systems (e.g. VAN). Regularly conducts volunteer outreach, training, and tracking activities, with increasing degrees of ownership. Able to respond quickly to changing contexts, propose new modes of engagement, and adapt to emerging needs.
• Supports the drafting of plans, presentations, training materials, communication to volunteers, and other written products to a high standard of accuracy, readability, and impact. Learns to efficiently incorporate feedback in producing high-quality deliverables.
• Builds working-level relationships with partner organizations and knowledge of coalition-based work. May sometimes represent the organization in coalitions. Maintains strong internal coordination toward objectives through relationships, agenda-driven meetings, email, and appropriate elevation as issues arise. Develops strategic planning skills and contributes to departmental strategic planning.

COMPETENCIES

• Written and verbal communication. Expresses ideas and information accurately and understandably in oral and written form. Adept at delivering training presentations for diverse audiences.
• Problem-Solving Approach: Brings a positive, problem-solving attitude to relationships with colleagues and partners, with an emphasis on collaboration and proposing solutions to increasingly complex problems.
• Work Management and Dependability: Reliable and dependable in performing job related tasks, finishing assigned projects, meeting deadlines, and showing up for work-related opportunities and commitments.
• Incorporates feedback. Accepts and delivers constructive feedback.
• Accountability and ownership. Takes ownership for the quality of individual
• work and pride in the work that the team delivers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated communication abilities.
• Experience organizing through professional and volunteer activities.
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and
• communications tools. VAN experience a plus.
• Flexible schedule and ability to work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties
• Familiarity with local landscape of civic and nonprofit organizations preferred,
• connections to community organizations a strong plus

COMPENSATION
Salary is commensurate with experience and within the parameters of ACLU of Texas’ salary scale.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

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, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, previous criminal conviction and veteran
status.