The Organization
The ACLU of Washington is a leader among state affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union, the country’s premier guardian of liberty. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend American rights to freedom, fairness, and equality. The ACLU is both nonprofit and nonpartisan. We have a staff of 45+ and are supported by more than 135,000 members, activists, and donors.
The ACLU of Washington is committed to ending racism in Washington State and throughout the country. This includes how we work with each other, and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. We are committed to bringing anti-racism to all aspects of ACLU-WA’s internal and external functions, including but not limited to recruitment; hiring and human resources; strategic planning; ally, donor, and volunteer relations; Board and committee processes; and deciding what cases to litigate and what legislation to support and oppose. We are looking for candidates who share this commitment to advancing racial justice, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.
The ACLU of Washington comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Inc. and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation. The two corporations share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU of Washington”.
Position Overview
Application Deadline: September 5, 2022
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA) is seeking a Development Associate. Reporting to the Development Director, this vital position will provide administrative support to the Development team, provide stakeholder customer service, support department events, and maintain database records.
OVERVIEW
The ACLU of Washington is a leader among state affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union, the country’s premier guardian of liberty. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend American rights to freedom, fairness, and equality. The ACLU is both nonprofit and nonpartisan. We have a staff of 45+ and are supported by more than 135,000 members, activists, and donors.
The ACLU of Washington is committed to ending racism in Washington State and throughout the country. This includes how we work with each other, and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. We are committed to bringing anti-racism to all aspects of ACLU-WA’s internal and external functions, including but not limited to recruitment; hiring and human resources; strategic planning; ally, donor, and volunteer relations; Board and committee processes; and deciding what cases to litigate and what legislation to support and oppose. We are looking for candidates who share this commitment to advancing racial justice, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.
The mission of the ACLU-WA Development Department is to unlock the full potential of the partnership between donors and the ACLU to fund the defense and expansion of civil liberties. We are committed to integrating an understanding of the intersections of race, class, power, and privilege in our development work, particularly through our engagement with donors. We bring our donors closer to the organization and build long-term relationships with them by sharing the ACLU’s story, engaging donors how they wish to engage, and asking them to give us their full financial support.
*Please note: the ACLU-WA is closely following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Currently, we have begun transitioning back to the office and hope to open fully under our new Hybrid Work Policy in the fall. We will continue to carefully monitor public health pronouncements and recommendations.
To aid remote work, we provide laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective WiFi connection and a way to reach you by phone. This position is eligible for either a work phone or phone stipend, as well as an additional $100 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.
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, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
General
• Participation in ACLU-WA’s race equity work. This may include utilizing ACLU-WA race equity tools, adopting ACLU-WA race equity practices, serving on the Race Equity Team or subcommittees, etc.
• Contribute to a culture that: centers race and other forms of equity; encourages respect, compassion, and courageous engagement; and acknowledges and values the humanity of all.
• Help staff with inter-office events (set-up, food ordering, etc.) and serve as administrative back up for limited time and scope projects across other departments, as needed.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.
Development Team Support
• General administration: take notes, calendar meetings and events, reconcile department credit card, create and maintain project documentation for department initiatives, provide general email support, and manage and maintain department subscriptions.
• Donor support: research donors; prepare and maintain electronic and hardcopy correspondence files including donor letters; support with appeal and cultivation mailing; and track organizational cultivation opportunities at the local and national levels.
• Support event managers: tracking RSVPs, producing donor bios, and day-of/onsite logistical support.
Data Entry & Data Hygiene
• Update and maintain accurate data entry records for various accounts.
• Provide data hygiene support as needed.
Customer Service
• Act as point of contact; responding to, making contact with, and addressing membership issues on behalf of supporters.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Ideal candidates will have an awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias.
• A personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills. Successful candidates can take direction while also managing their own workflow in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• High attention to detail, problem-solving, and follow-through required.
• Computer and technology proficiency with MS Office Suite and willingness to learn new software is required. Proficiency in Salesforce or other CRMs is strongly preferred.
• A proven commitment to confidentiality and prior experience of success with maintaining confidential and sensitive information is necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, over the phone, by email and in person, with staff, volunteers, allies, and other outside callers. Proven ability to work well with people with a wide range of interests, skills, and concerns from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as work as a member of a team.
• An understanding of and enthusiasm for civil liberties and civil rights and a commitment to advance racial justice, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.
• Prior administrative experience preferred, but not required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The ACLU-WA office is generally open between the hours of 9a.m. and 5p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Able to input information into a computer for long periods of time.
• Able to remain stationary for extended periods.
• Able to assess information communicated through a computer.
• Able to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
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 description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “non-exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The ACLU of WA is dedicated to centering equity in all aspects of the organization and, as such, has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees. The salary for this position is $60,000. Non-exempt employees observe a 35-hour work week with a 1-hour lunch break.
Benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days, fifteen holidays, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, a generous retirement plan, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass, and five paid workdays for professional development opportunities a year.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.
Applications will be accepted until September 5, 2022, at which time the job announcement will be marked as “closed” on our website at www.aclu-wa.org/careers.
HIRING TIMELINE
We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the application deadline and hope to have the selected candidate start in October.
The ACLU of Washington comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Inc. and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation. The two corporations share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU of Washington”.
How To Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.
Applications will be accepted until September 5, 2022, at which time the job announcement will be marked as “closed” on our website at www.aclu-wa.org/careers