Community Organizer jobs in Maryland

Minimum Entry Requirements

The following are the primary entry qualifications required for this position.

Values Agreement:

• Demonstrated personal commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications through previous experiences.

Race Equity Commitment:

• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, dismantling white supremacy, and incorporating a structural power analysis into work. Must have knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstances.

Typical Education & Work Experience:

(Relevant education/experience may substitute for required education/experience at a rate of one-year relevant education/experience per year of required education/experience.)

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
• A minimum of 3 to 7 years of experience in a similar position or equivalent combination of education and experience including a minimum of 3 years of experience working with political campaigns, direct action organizing, community development, or advocacy in a non-profit, advocacy, or political organization.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of and commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and the ACLU of Maryland’s mission.
• Strong ability to contribute legal knowledge and expertise in support of community-generated initiatives and help make the law accessible and useful to disenfranchised communities.
• Demonstrate initiative, including pro-actively identifying and addressing issues and making recommendations.
• Working knowledge of advocacy campaigns, including legislative advocacy, coalition building, and community outreach.
• Ability to be proactive, understand the political landscape, and be able to work effectively on issues that require bipartisan support.
• Experience with statutory and legislative analysis; legal research and writing; legislative processes in Maryland; advocacy and policy change tools; awareness of the local political landscape.
• Creative, self-starting, willingness to learn; ability to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities with deliberate time management skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Analytic, negotiation, and writing and oral advocacy skills; ability to articulate complex issues and communicate them respectfully and effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to think strategically and conceptually with an unbiased approach to solutions using a race equity lens.
• Recognize and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in the context of a variety of situations with multiple variables, both predictable and unpredictable
• Make sound and timely informed decisions in complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with coalitions and community groups, motivate volunteers, and work across the political spectrum.
• Willingness to take direction from directly impacted people and to contribute legal knowledge and expertise in support of community-based initiatives with the purpose of empowering community members and making the law accessible and useful to disenfranchised communities.
• Ability to give presentations and engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently while also working as part of a team and collaborating with others; ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, and to adjust strategy to frequently changing demands.
• A strong commitment to racial equity, dismantling white supremacy and incorporating a structural power analysis into work.
• Knowledge of office-related software, including Apple and Microsoft office products and any industry-specific technology.

Certification or License Requirements:

• None.
• Willing to complete a weeklong “Direct Action Organizing 101” training through Midwest Academy or a similar organization depending on availability.

Bonus Considerations:

The following are the desired competencies, characteristics, or traits for this position:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent post-Secondary credentials acceptable
• Direct Action Organizing training or certification.
• Ability to communicate (speak, interpret, translate) fluently in English and Spanish or French is preferred, but not required.

Work Schedule & Travel Obligation:

• The ability to work occasional evening, weekend, and irregular hours, and to travel within the state as needed.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS