Organizer | ACLU-NJ | Newark, NJ

[Sybil Liberties]

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) is hiring an Organizer dedicated primarily to coordinating and implementing the organization’s campaign to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adults. Information about this campaign, New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform (NJUMR), may be found at http://www.njmarijuanareform.org. In addition, the Organizer may also work on other priority ACLU-NJ issues. The position is full time and reports to the Public Policy Director.

Founded in 1960, the ACLU of New Jersey is the state’s leading organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil liberties and civil rights. Whether in the courts, legislatures, or in communities, the ACLU-NJ fights on a daily basis for criminal justice reform, free speech, racial justice, privacy, immigrants’ rights, reproductive rights, religious freedom, due process, LGBT rights, drug law reform and voting rights. With tens of thousands of members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU-NJ works in every corner of our state to defend the principle that every individual's rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin.

The ACLU-NJ is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Our staff consists of 16 full-time staff members plus a number of regular in-office volunteers and interns.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.

About the Campaign

The ACLU-NJ publicly launched its campaign to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adults in 2014. Its marijuana reform campaign is one of the ACLU-NJ’s top racial justice and criminal justice reform priorities. New Jersey makes more than 21,000 arrests for marijuana possession each year, and Blacks are nearly three times more likely than Whites to be arrested, despite similar usage rates. Legalizing, taxing, and regulating marijuana will help put an end to the tremendous harms caused by our current laws, create jobs, increase public safety, and generate millions of dollars in revenue to fund projects that help all New Jerseyans, including evidence-based drug prevention and treatment strategies and reinvestment in communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Devising and implementing advocacy strategies to accomplish the ACLU-NJ’s marijuana legalization campaign goals;
• Organizing and conducting public engagement events, including forums, panels, rallies, trainings, lobby visits, public hearings, and other public presentations;
• Building, facilitating, and overseeing day-to-day administrative support of the New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform coalition;
• Recruiting, training, and managing an active volunteer program to support the campaign goals;
• Lobbying local, state, and federal lawmakers;
• Representing the ACLU-NJ at coalition and organizing meetings across New Jersey;
• Drafting content for ACLU-NJ and NJUMR websites, as well as social media, fact sheets, e-mails, reports, training materials, and other advocacy materials;
• Conducting research and staying up-to-date on developments in marijuana reform news, policy, science, and the national reform movement;
• Proactively working to expand the ACLU-NJ’s community presence;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Experience in organizing or social justice advocacy; experience working in/building coalitions preferred;
• Passion for racial justice and criminal justice reform;
• Demonstrated experience designing or managing issue-based or political campaigns;
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse staff, coalitions and community groups, recruit and motivate volunteers, and work across the political spectrum;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking skills;
• Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands;
• Experience using social media as an advocacy tool;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain orderly records;
• Outgoing personality and sense of humor;
• Proficiency with MS Office and popular social media platforms;
• Ability to sometimes work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends;
• Ability to travel within the state, and a valid driver’s license;
• Proficiency in Spanish (preferred but not required).

Compensation

The ACLU-NJ offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, sick time and holidays; medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members, their dependents, and spouse; life and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k) with employer match.

Full Job Description

A full and printable job description is available here: https://www.aclu-nj.org/download_file/1692 (PDF).

To Apply

To apply, visit https://www.aclu-nj.org/jobs and complete the job application for the Organizer job opening. Application materials sent via postal mail, e-mail or fax will not be accepted. No calls please. Resumes reviewed upon receipt. Position will remain open until filled.

The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), familial status, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, and mental or physical disability, perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status.