The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

Position Overview:

The ACLU of Alaska seeks a Community Engagement Director to develop and direct a robust and non-partisan organizing and engagement program that engages, educates, mobilizes, and co-creates with the community to strengthen the civil liberties and civil rights of all Alaskans.

A member of the ACLU of Alaska’s leadership team, the Community Engagement Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Integrated Strategy, and will work in close partnership with the Policy, Communications, Legal, and Development departments to execute the ACLU of Alaska’s State-wide integrated advocacy strategy within priority areas including but not limited to voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigrant rights, criminal legal system reform, Indigenous justice, and privacy protections.

The Director will lead a team of 1-3 community engagement specialists and organizers that listen to and work alongside impacted communities to develop and align strategies, engage volunteers, collaborate within State-wide coalitions and partnerships, mobilize grassroots support to influence decisionmakers, create and execute community education and awareness initiatives and events, and conduct outreach to Alaskans through community engagement opportunities and person-to-person contact to include them in the mission of the ACLU. The ideal candidate is a community collaborator, a creative who thinks in terms of systems and networks, an effective problem solver, someone who works well independently and as part of an integrated leadership team, a manager who effectively supervises a team with competing priorities, and a leader who models diplomacy, culturally appropriate interactions, and relationship-based communication skills in conflict.

This position will require limited travel throughout Alaska. The position is based out of the Anchorage, Alaska office.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Community Engagement

• Develop and implement clear organizing strategies that achieve the organization’s integrated advocacy objectives.
• In collaboration with the other teams, create and oversee the implementation of detailed campaign plans that turn goals into strategies, timelines, and metrics.
• Co-create alongside members from directly impacted communities, ensuring the voice of impacted communities guides the affiliate’s work within those communities by building and maintaining strong, reciprocal working relationships with community partners and grassroots coalition members.
• Lead a team that creates, hosts, and participates in community engagement and education events and trainings, mobilizing supporters, recruiting volunteers, and coalescing partners.
• Develop infrastructure and education opportunities to create and sustain an ACLU of Alaska volunteer program through recruitment, training, recognition, leadership development, and ongoing engagement.
• In collaboration with the Communications and Policy departments, develop persuasive and informative outreach materials to be used for organizing purposes.

Department Manager

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training, and management of Community Engagement staff, each with their own programmatic goals and responsibilities that align with ACLU of Alaska’s strategic plan and priorities.
• Model and implement culturally appropriate and trauma informed approaches throughout Community Engagement work.
• Facilitate successful implementation of organizing technology tools, including the best use of CRM EveryAction, peer-to-peer text messaging, e-mail, and phone calls to increase engagement by the organizing staff and volunteers.
• Design and implement a metrics-based reporting system to scale and track the department’s progress to goals, produce reports, and contribute to grant management.
• Identify and facilitate the professional development of Community Engagement staff including but not limited to training support, coaching, evaluation, and feedback.
• Ensure consistent implementation of organizational policies and procedures within the Community Engagement department, including communicating expectations, supporting staff compliance, and addressing concerns in coordination with the Operations and People function as appropriate.
• Oversee the departmental budget in collaboration with the Operations Department.
• Serve as part of the ACLU of Alaska’s integrated advocacy and affiliate leadership team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated cultural humility and personal commitment to centering and learning from the voices and leadership of communities impacted by the issues the ACLU champions.
• Demonstrated experience developing, integrating, and executing coalition and grassroots organizing strategies, including building organizing programs to advance advocacy goals.
• Demonstrated skills in developing and managing staff and projects.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and superior organizational and planning skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, inter-departmental communication skills, including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects internal and external relationships and differences.
• Demonstrated experience in volunteer development and management.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity that values the individual and the community and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Demonstrated time management skills and the ability to work under pressure and effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Demonstrated communication and public speaking skills, and experience addressing a wide range of audiences including donors, volunteers, Board members, vendors, staff, partners, and community members.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to participate in limited travel.
• Ability to work proactively, collaboratively, and independently as needed.
• Ability to work flexibly in a hybrid in-person/work-from-home environment, remaining attentive to the team’s needs regardless of setting.
• Passion for the ACLU of Alaska’s mission

Commitment To Operational Principles and Equity, Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion

ACLU AK operates according to the following principles: We are equitable, knowing that the strength of Alaska’s justice ecosystem lies in reciprocity and relationship; We are generational, building strong, integrated systems that sustain organizational wellness and longevity; We are

transparent, remaining accountable to our community, our staff, and our Constitutions; and We are place-based, rooting our work in the strengths of the communities and lands we serve.

ACLU AK is an equitable opportunity employer. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission by creating an environment where all community members can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified persons, including people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented groups.

ACLU AK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment that practices equitable and inclusive treatment. We work diligently to prevent and address harassment or discrimination of any kind.