We're hiring! The ACLU of Kentucky seeks a dynamic, innovative, and passionate individual to serve as its full-time Smart on Crime Field Organizer. For this newly-created position with responsibility for creating and mobilizing a statewide infrastructure of advocates for criminal justice reform, individuals with personal experience with the criminal justice system are strongly encouraged to apply.
Organizational Overview
The ACLU of Kentucky is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that works to promote and defend civil liberties and civil rights through legal, legislative and public education approaches including individual rights and freedoms, reproductive freedom, free speech, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, LGBT rights, and more.
Based in Louisville with a staff of seven, the ACLU of Kentucky has not only the opportunity, but also the responsibility to protect and advocate for the civil liberties and civil rights of all Kentuckians.
For more information, please visit www.aclu-ky.org.
Position Overview
The ACLU of Kentucky seeks a dynamic, innovative, and passionate individual to serve as its full-time Smart on Crime Field Organizer. For this newly-created position with responsibility for creating and mobilizing a statewide infrastructure of advocates for criminal justice reform, individuals with personal experience with the criminal justice system are strongly encouraged to apply. The ACLU of Kentucky has taken the lead in establishing Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition working for common-sense justice reforms that enhance public safety, strengthen communities, and promote cost effective sentencing alternatives. More information about the coalition can be found at kysmartoncrime.com. The Smart on Crime Field Organizer will play a significant role in continuing to build out the coalition and mobilizing ACLU activists, supporters, and volunteers to advance the common-sense justice reform priorities of the coalition.
This position will be based out of the affiliate office in Louisville and will report to the ACLU of Kentucky’s Advocacy Director. Although based in Louisville, the position will be responsible for statewide organizing and mobilization on justice reform and decarceration issues. The Smart on Crime Field Organizer will work in close collaboration with other ACLU of Kentucky communications, legal, organizing, and policy staff. This is an ideal opportunity for a talented, experienced political organizing professional to have a significant impact on civil liberties, civil rights, and criminal justice reform in Kentucky. The professional who holds this position will have the opportunity to shape a well-respected and effective organization’s advocacy initiatives.
This position is grant-funded, with a minimum commitment for one year of funding and possibility of renewal.
Responsibilities
- Ensure that the interests and vision of impacted populations and the broader community shape the affiliate’s work on smart justice reform.
- Elevate leadership within impacted communities and the broader public to help shape campaign goals, strategies, and tactics.
- Under the guidance of the Advocacy Director, develop and implement an organizing campaign centered on common-sense justice reform in the state legislature.
- Under the guidance of the Advocacy Director, develop and implement an organizing campaign centered on prosecutorial reform at the local level.
- Work collaboratively on joint efforts with community organizations and coalition partners.
- Develop strategic partnerships with key community-based organizations working in diverse communities around Kentucky.
- Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders across the state and political spectrum, including formerly incarcerated people, survivors of crime, law enforcement, legislators, business, mental health professionals, reform advocates, religious and political leaders, and others.
- Work collaboratively with coalition partners, allies, and other ACLU staff to execute large-scale community actions (e.g., hearings, rallies, constituent/legislator meetings, etc.)
- Identify and recruit potential witnesses/speakers for public hearings, press conferences, and other public events related to smart justice reform.
- Identify, recruit, train, support, and supervise ACLU members/volunteers for specific smart justice or civil liberties campaigns and programs; serve as the primary liaison between volunteers and staff.
- Assist the Legal Department, as appropriate, with the identification and recruitment of potential clients for smart justice-related impact litigation.
- Develop, strengthen, and nurture alliances with communities of color, youth groups, formerly incarcerated people, and other interest groups relevant to smart justice reform.
- Work closely with ACLU National’s Campaign for Smart Justice and other national actors to promote smart justice reform in Kentucky and nationwide.
- Represent the ACLU of Kentucky, alongside the Advocacy Director, in KY Smart on Crime.
- Lobby the Kentucky General Assembly on Smart on Crime priorities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, but not required.
- At least two (2) years of experience in community/field organizing and base building. At least one (1) year of experience in political/advocacy/campaign organizing, with experience working directly with volunteers strongly preferred.
- Personal experience being incarcerated or in other ways entangled with the criminal justice system, preferred.
- Individuals with knowledge of current political alignments and opportunities for collaboration specifically in Kentucky with a broad range of groups. Familiarity with the advocacy and community organizing landscape of Kentucky are preferred, but not required.
- A history of working collaboratively and successfully with people and organizations from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and a broad range of ideological positions and religious views.
- Knowledge of criminal justice reform advocacy and messaging, or an ability to quickly become conversant with the latest decarceration research, messaging, and tactics used to educate the public and move policymakers.
- Knowledge of the opportunities and challenges of building and working in large, diverse coalitions.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Strong written and oral communications skills.
- Superb organization skills; detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, and willing to learn.
- Strong task and time management skills.
- Ability to travel around the state as necessary and participate in evening and weekend meetings.
- This position is based in Louisville; candidates must either reside in the Louisville metropolitan area or be willing to relocate quickly.
- Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU. Strong passion for criminal justice issues, commitment to criminal justice reform, and an understanding of the racialized nature of the criminal justice system are absolutely essential.
- Individuals who have personal experience with incarceration and the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply.
Compensation
Compensation for this full-time position is $37,000. Benefits include medical, dental and disability insurance (fully paid by employer), a 401(k) program, and generous vacation, holiday and sick leave.
To Apply:
Please send letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to michael@aclu-ky.org. Please put “Smart on Crime Field Organizer” in the subject line.
All application will be reviewed. It will not be possible for us to accept telephone calls of inquiry. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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The ACLU of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Kentucky encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal history, and veteran status.