Organizing Strategist

Enthusiastic, energetic immersion into the communities of Southwest Ohio for the purpose of building a juggernaut of people power capable of positively transforming lives through the work of the ACLU of Ohio. That is what the next ACLU of Ohio Southwest Organizing Strategist will accomplish. The Southwest Organizing Strategist we are seeking will arrive on day one with a tool kit of ideas ready to build a community of organizers by identifying, recruiting, training, and mobilizing volunteer leaders and activists to provide on-the-ground support for the ACLU of Ohio’s strategic priorities and campaigns.

SALARY/COMPENSATION

Salary Range: $49,000 - $53,000

Compensation:  Salary offer shall be determined by depth and breadth of successful candidate’s knowledge and experience. Total compensation package includes generous health insurance benefits (including dental, vision, and hearing); new hires receive four (4) weeks of paid time off, accrued at approximately thirteen (13) hours per month; and fourteen (14) paid federal holidays.

RESPONSIBILITIES         

Provide on-the-ground organizing and advocacy support for ACLU of Ohio’s campaigns, projects, and programs

• Identify, recruit, organize, and mobilize volunteers and community leaders to advance organizational and campaign objectives;
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with volunteers while moving them along the ladder of engagement through agitation, one-on-one conversations, and opportunities to test leadership;
• Train volunteers one-on-one and in groups to think strategically, develop campaigns, and build vehicles of engagement for the general public;
• Plan and manage events relating to campaigns, volunteer engagement, and base building.
• Organize activists to join in ACLU lobbying, base-building, and mobilization

Build relationships with community partners to connect local justice allies with the ACLU’s state and national resources

• Build and facilitate a local Southwest Ohio coalition table around organizational priorities including bail reform, broader criminal legal reform efforts, and other issues;
• Maintain relationships and assist volunteer leaders in developing relationships with key political players, opinion leaders, allied organizations, and coalitions to build the ACLU of Ohio’s base of support in the region;
• Coordinate campaign objectives and actions with allied coalitions;
• Contribute to the research, drafting, and implementation of a statewide campaign plan;
• Interpret data to identify trends and assess the effectiveness of media, mobilization efforts, and deployment of resources.

 Increase awareness of the ACLU and its policy change efforts in Ohio

• Collect, cultivate, utilize, and archive stories of criminal legal system impacted people while supporting the Statewide Smart Justice Advisory Board.
• Generate public awareness and support by engaging with new, grassroots groups on mission-critical issues;
• Contribute to and disseminate educational, social media, mass communications, and other engagement content for volunteers;
• Speak to community groups, allies, stakeholders, and other key constituent groups about ACLU campaigns and mission;
• Recruit volunteers to mobilize on mission critical issues by training them to engage with the public, persuade the public, and mobilize the public through door-knocking, phone banking, text banking, writing LTE’s and Op-Eds, and other outward facing peaks.

Other

• Participate in planning and implementing other civic engagement projects as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in political or community organizing and/or in justice reform through both traditional and online outreach to expand and activate the ACLU of Ohio’s base;
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the ACLU of Ohio’s values, mission and goals, including a deep commitment to racial justice;
• Identifiable ability to maintain near constant communication with diverse volunteer base, leaders, and team during peak organizing seasons through writing, private, and public speaking;
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, maintain self-accountability, and create workplans for multiple projects that encompass key tasks of community organizing;
• Identifiable experience in problem solving, navigating difficult group dynamics, and conflict resolution.

OTHER

• The ACLU of Ohio has adopted a hybrid remote/in-person office staffing model. However, successful, impactful organizing requires building deep relationships in the communities served; therefore, the expectation for this position is that majority of time will be spent outside of the remote/in-office location and in the field.
• High-speed home internet and a personal mobile phone are required. The ACLU of Ohio provides a monthly reimbursement for each.
• Considerable travel, in Southwest Ohio, and across the state is required. The ACLU of Ohio has offices in Cleveland and Columbus. The Southwest Ohio Organizing Strategist should expect to travel to Cleveland six to twelve times per year. Travel expenses are reimbursed.
• Organizing Strategist must be able to manage a flexible, full-time schedule, including attending numerous evening and weekend meetings and events.
• May occasionally lift or carry 25 pounds.
• A degree is not a requirement of this position but a willingness to learn is.
• History of incarceration is not a bar to consideration for the position.
• The ACLU of Ohio is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our team members. All employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Verification of COVID-19 vaccination, or progress toward vaccination, is required prior to the start of employment.

Applications accepted until position is filled.