Advocacy Assistant

SUMMARY:

The Advocacy Assistant will provide administrative support to policy advocates, paralegals, and attorneys to support the work of the Advocacy Department. This position will require flexibility, an eagerness to learn the inner workings of impact advocacy, and exceptional multi-tasking and prioritization skills.

The Advocacy Assistant reports to the Director of Advocacy Support and may be mentored by a Senior Paralegal.

The Advocacy Assistant, like all staff within the ACLU of Southern California, is expected to model professional workplace behavior and standards, and clearly and enthusiastically demonstrate our core values of accountability, collaboration, diversity, excellence, honesty, integrity, humility, and open communication. 

This is a hybrid role. The Advocacy Assistant will be required to come to any ACLU SoCal office location up to 3 times per quarter. 

CLASSIFICATION:

This is a full-time, non-exempt bargaining unit position in the National Organization of Legal Services Workers union.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Advocacy Department, including supporting the internship program; Assist Paralegals with court filings and discovery management (organization of exhibits, scanning and copying documents, coordinating medical records requests, sending and organizing PRA requests and responses, coordination of courier services, etc.) at the discretion of the Director of Advocacy Support

• Manage and maintain various databases through data entry, generating reports, security updates, etc.

• Drafting simple correspondence and memos

• Non-legal substance research projects

• Coordination and implementation of large mailing projects

• Assist with case-opening tasks and maintaining case files including pleadings, discovery, correspondence, dockets, etc.

• Make travel arrangements

• Assist with department financial tasks

• Miscellaneous copying, scanning, shredding, binding, etc.

• Provide logistical support for meetings, both in and out of the office, including helping to organize the ACLU’s involvement in coalitions and coordinated policy advocacy efforts, notetaking, etc.

• Manage end-to-end coordination of large-scale Zoom meetings including scheduling, hosting, and technical oversight; Be presented with opportunities to conduct in-person meetings with incarcerated clients in correctional facilities

• Attend community meetings when necessary

• Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications include the following: 

• At least 2 years of experience providing administrative support, preferably in a legal office

• A strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights

• Mastery of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and other Office programs, including facility with Zoom, spreadsheets, and tables

• Ability to quickly pick up new software and overall technological competence

• Strong attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple priorities effectively

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Candidate must be able to learn quickly and quickly apply new skills

• Ability to work independently while also being a team player

• Ability to keep track of and meet deadlines

• Ability to take initiative and handle a fast-paced work environment

• Ability to work with coalitions and community members

• Applicants must be willing to work occasional overtime on evenings and weekends. 

Desired qualifications include the following: 

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience working in public interest or social justice advocacy, coalitions and/or working with impacted communities

• Desire to learn how an impact advocacy organization works, one that uses a variety of advocacy tools to achieve large, long-term social change; and 

• Written and oral fluency in Spanish          

• Experience working in a non-profit preferred

• Experience working in coalitions and with impacted communities desirable.                                                                                                                   

Required Racial Justice Competencies 

• Understanding and Applying Racial Equity 

  • Demonstrate commitment to building or deepening understand of racial equity: 

    • Core terms and concepts such as structural racism, white privilege, and anti-Blackness. 

• • The role that racial inequity has played and continues to play in our society. 

  • How race impacts supervisory relationships, team dynamics, and organizational culture. 

  • Personal/implicit/unconscious bias. 

• Working for Racial Equity 

  • Consistently assess structural implications and racially disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions within the context of their job responsibilities; race/ethnicity, intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, and/or sexual orientation. 

  • Consistently adhere to organization’s racial equity policies and procedures, including those that relate to hiring, retention, and promotion. 

  • Consistently identify and disrupt ways in which bias plays out in work and/or team. 

• Leading on Racial Equity 

  • Effectively encourage people to have honest conversations about racial equity, and accept feedback openly, non-defensively, and from a posture of learning. 

  • Consistently address structural implications and racially disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions by identifying and implementing changes that can produce more equitable outcomes. This applies not only in terms of race/ethnicity, but also at the intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, and/or sexual orientation. 

  • Consistently set racial equity outcomes, goals, and performance measures for team, department, or organization, and develop and successfully implement plans to achieve them. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is between $33.22 and $37.42 per hour, which is the equivalent of approximately $64,775 and $72,969 annually. Compensation is based on number of years of relevant experience. This position is full-time and is benefits eligible. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their eligible dependents; life and long-term, short-term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with employer match; ample vacation and sick leave and twenty-two paid holidays.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume in order to be considered. This role will remain open until filled.

The ACLU of Southern California is committed to developing a culture of diversity, equity, respect, and inclusion and to strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the communities that we serve. The ACLU SoCal is an equal opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable law. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply and value people of all races, genders (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientations, disabilities, citizenships, ages, religions, and national origins and who have different marital statuses, family caregiving responsibilities, lived experiences with the criminal justice systems, and genetic information. The ACLU SoCal does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these characteristics.

The ACLU SoCal is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail hrsuppport@aclusocal.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Salary : $33 - $37