Position: Bilingual Organizer (Suffolk-Riverhead)Department: Field Organizing DepartmentTerms of Employment: Two (2) year Grant Funded /Temporary Full-Time/Exempt/Union Position. NYCLU staff is currently working in a Hybrid model. A number of in-person days will be required. Location: Suffolk County Regional OfficeSalary: $55,000-$65,000Application Deadline: Until the position is filled.The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties. Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and seven offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website: www.nyclu.org . DEI VISION STATEMENTThe NYCLU affirmatively values the humanity and contributions of those we work with, inside and outside of the organization; and will take action to build and sustain an equitable, anti-racist culture that centers the voices and experiences of marginalized and directly impacted people and communities, and an organizational environment where all people feel valued, trusted, and respected. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve and actively recruit people of color, women, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people.SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONThe Suffolk County Regional Office is part of NYCLU's state Field Organizing Department. The Suffolk County Organizer is a member of the NYCLU's Suffolk Regional Office and will report to the Suffolk County Regional Director. NYCLU's statewide Field Organizing Department engages in multi-layered advocacy efforts aimed at both the state and local levels including base building organizing, public education, coalition building, leadership development, and lobbying of state and local lawmakers. The Organizer will focus on local organizing work in Suffolk County to improve democratic participation-including by voters, candidates, and residents, and support efforts for change through integrated advocacy that will allow marginalized communities to better hold school districts accountable. This work takes place within the context of the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (NYVRA) and the opportunities the law provides to facilitate electoral reforms in local government.We are looking for bilingual candidates (English/Spanish) who have experience working on grassroots campaigns, have strong base-building and leadership development skills, and are committed to building power to win transformative policy and legislative change. Ideal candidates are strategic, passionate, and collaborative.The ideal candidate is passionate about engaging with diverse NYCLU members and community leaders to drive meaningful change. They are empathetic, approachable, and skilled at building connections and facilitating tough conversations in multiple languages. They advocate for equitable solutions, considering race, poverty, abilities, gender, and immigration status in education access. They understand the links between issues like mass incarceration and economic inequality and are committed to centering organizing efforts on directly impacted communities. They excel in leadership development, communicate effectively, they will meet people wherever they are at and are constantly working to push them to greater heights. They will follow the latest developments in the statewide social movements but know that changes in the local conditions are equally important, adapt to changing conditions, and thrive in fast-paced environments without sacrificing input or quality and have the resilience to navigate setbacks with an eye toward new opportunities, turning challenges into learning opportunities.ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Centers and empowers directly impacted people and marginalized communities in local level organizing.
- Plays an integral role in organizing and developing campaigns for greater social, education and political equity in School Districts in Suffolk County, including coordinating, and collaborating across departments.
- Organizes, strategizes, and leads public advocacy campaigns that mobilize grassroots and NYCLU members and supporters to uphold and defend civil liberties and civil rights, particularly voting rights and educational equity.
- Recognizes and recommends issues for the NYCLU's consideration.
- Identify opportunities to develop strategic partnerships with community groups to advance the NYCLU's advocacy agenda.
- Builds reciprocal relationships with grassroots groups, communities, advocacy organizations, and government agencies, including representing the NYCLU at community events, coalition meetings, panels, and rallies.
- Organizes and coordinates coalition efforts.
- Organizes public education and organizing events, such as rallies, community forums, lobby visits, public hearings, news conferences, panel discussions, and trainings.
- Conducts extensive public education, including public speaking at community events and representing the NYCLU in the media.
- Recruits, trains, engages, and mobilizes a diverse network of members, supporters and volunteers.
- Facilitates workshops and trainings to the public, and trains others as facilitators.
- Stays abreast of NYCLU's statewide organizing portfolio, including supporting the work of organizers statewide, where requested.
- Provides support and guidance on the volunteer engagement program and leadership development.
- Contributes to the development of public education materials and workshops in collaboration with our communications team, including contributing to and/or editing blogs, public letters, reports, etc.
- Advises other staff on organizing strategies and help them to implement those strategies.
- Actively supports the NYCLU's internal and external commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Provides administrative support including but not limited to ensuring smooth logistical coordination for meetings and events by reserving spaces, preparing materials, managing RSVPs, handling travel and expenses, maintaining supplies, updating contact lists, supporting social media, and carrying out special assignments.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 1-2 years of experience in education equity, voting rights, racial justice, immigrants' rights, and environmental justice or relevant life experience.
- 3+ years in progressive leadership roles within community or advocacy organizations.
- Proven experience in training, mentoring, and supervising volunteers and teams.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously effectively.
- Suffolk County resident, fluent in English and Spanish.
- Knowledge of issues affecting low-income communities and communities of color in Suffolk County.
- Strong facilitation, engagement, and communication skills, with proficiency in MS Office, digital organizing tools, and social media platforms.
- Excellent work planning skills, including development of monthly, quarterly, and annual plans.
- Experience holding space for difficult conversations around race, language, and other topics.
- Possesses sound judgement, mediation skills and familiarity with transformative justice principles.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- This position requires a moderate amount of physical effort. Some examples include lifting and carrying (equipment, tables/chairs for some outreach events), marching, protesting, or traveling via car or charter bus to Albany. In addition, the ideal candidate may be requested to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time. NYCLU can provide reasonable accommodations to the ideal candidate but please be aware of these expectations.
- Driver's license and willingness to travel within New York State.
- Requires traveling to Riverhead and other communities in Suffolk County.
- Must have dependable access to a vehicle and expected to drive long distances.
- Must be willing to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends.
HOW TO APPLYPlease submit your resume and cover letter that includes your unique qualifications for this position, and where or how you learned of this job posting via If feasible, please submit these materials as a single PDF.The NYCLU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status , sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the communities that we serve.The NYCLU 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 ...@nyclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. This position may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.