Field Fellowship

Locations: Fresno County; Kings County, Madera County; Merced County; Stanislaus County; and/or Tulare County

Application deadline: Open until filled

The position

The fellow is a community-builder and coach who steps into leadership with self-awareness and is a critical thinker, team player, self-starter, and problem-solver who thrives on building relationships and the leadership of others. You are deeply committed to expanding democracy and inspiring others to act. You are committed to applying a racial justice lens to your community organizing work and recognize the full wheel of factors that shape your community’s individual and collective identities and life experiences.

Fellows will work within their communities to support the fundamental principles of our democracy and our basic civil liberties. Fellows will be provided with significant training and guidance throughout the fellowship. With guidance from staff, fellows are responsible for helping develop volunteer leaders in their communities by engaging in community outreach, providing training, and leading volunteer events to engage community members in the 2018 election.

This is a part-time position. Fellows will work 15-20 hours a week. All work will be completed under the close guidance of the Central Valley Mobilization and Civic Engagement Associate, and with support from the CV Mobilization and Civic Engagement Assistant.

About the organization

The ACLU of Northern California is an affiliate of a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil liberties and civil rights. For most of the last century, it has been at the heart of many of the most major – and sometimes controversial – struggles for civil liberties and civil rights in our state. Our mission is to ensure that Constitutional rights don’t just exist on paper, but are protected in practice. As we move into a new era and face dangerous policies that threaten our civil rights and civil liberties, we remain dedicated to confronting these issues and defending the progress we have made. We must use our decades of experience in impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and fearless organizing to fight these un-American policies and protect our most cherished rights and freedoms. We are the resistance. Join us.

Duties & responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment

You will be responsible for recruiting and training volunteers to participate in civic engagement activities in your community. Through 1:1 conversations and community meetings you will activate ACLU supporters to get involved and support our work. You will foster positive relationships with community members and motivate others to take action. This will include phone conversations and in-person meetings with potential volunteers.

Managing Phone banking and Canvassing Events

With the support of the Central Valley Mobilization and Civic Engagement team, you will run regular and ongoing civic engagement activities. You will train community leaders on basic text banking, phone banking and canvassing skills. You will work to meet contact goals and deadlines in order to maximize voter outreach in the Central Valley.

Supporting Mobilization in Key Issue Areas

You may also have an opportunity to participate in local, state, and federal advocacy on relevant issues. You will support the Central Valley Mobilization and Civic Engagement team with mobilization for ACLU priority legislation and other related events.

Qualifications

Education / Experience

• Demonstrated experience or commitment to work collaboratively with community members.

Required Skills / Competencies

• Ability to participate in two-day training in Fresno, CA in August (dates to be determined and will be provided to applicants). Lodging will be provided and transportation will be reimbursed. Fellows must also be able to participate in additional trainings throughout the course of the fellowship;
• Strong interpersonal written and verbal communication skills;
• Organized and highly self-motivated;
• Understanding of or interest in learning about the political landscape in your county/congressional district;
• Ability to travel independently throughout your county/congressional district; and
• Interest and ability to thrive in an evolving environment, including the ability to easily balance being available to staff and community members and staying focused on details that matter.

Preferred Skills / Competencies

• Proficiency in Spanish or in another language other than English commonly spoken in your region.

To apply

Applications must include (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) a list of three references. Applicants concurrently applying to any other position with the ACLU should state what other position they are applying for in the cover letter.

Please submit your application in PDF format (preferred method) to: https://aclunc.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk01sm9 or mail to the attention of Field Fellow search, ACLU of Northern California, 39 Drumm Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU-NC strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is free from discrimination and supportive of a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our communities and the people we serve.