The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA) is seeking a Communications Assistant. The Communications Assistant is directly supervised by the Communications Director and primarily supports the Communications Director and department staff.

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.  The ACLU-WA’s staff of 40+ employees and numerous volunteers work in a fast-paced, friendly and professional office in downtown Seattle. We are supported by more than 80,000 members, activists, and donors.

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, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide administrative support to the Communications Department’s staff members. This involves managing calendars and the department’s electronic and paper files; making occasional travel arrangements.
  • With attention to detail and professionalism, draft, produce, format, and proof-read e-mails, letters, online postings, publications, and other materials.
  • Arrange meetings, take notes, prepare background materials, and handle follow-up actions.
  • Produce audience, media, and issue research briefs for communications staff.
  • Communicate confidently and respectfully with representatives of the press, ACLU leaders, vendors, and allies.
  • Manage the communications volunteer database. Assist in volunteer recruitment, education, and supervision.
  • Manage the ACLU e-mail list and listserv databases. Add and remove users and keep contact databases up-to-date.
  • Using online databases, assist in media monitoring and research.
  • Assist the public relations team with ACLU events. Coordinate with vendors, assist with event set-up and break-down, and assist with volunteer recruitment and management. Limited evening and weekend work is required.
  • Other duties as needed. Help facilitate the smooth running of the office.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Prior administrative experience, preferably related to non-profits and communications.
  • Excellent word processing skills. Computer proficiency, including mastery of MS Office Suite, including Excel, and the Internet; strong writing and online research skills.
  • Strong organizational skills to maintain record systems and to initiate improvements in consultation with supervisors.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle stress well, to produce work reflecting consistent attention to accuracy, and to coordinate numerous concurrent projects, often under tight deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage details, resourcefully solve problems and follow through with a minimum of direct supervision.
  • Excellent communications skills, over the phone, by email and in person, with staff, volunteers, allies and other outside callers. A confident and professional presentation.
  • Ability to supervise volunteers and work cooperatively with others.
  • A commitment to advance racial justice, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.
  • A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences.
  • An understanding of and enthusiasm for civil liberties and civil rights.
  • Proficiency in a language other than English spoken by the communities we serve is a plus. (Examples are Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Somali, Arabic, Tagalog, and others.)

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
Salary is based on experience and qualifications.  Benefits include three weeks of vacation to start, medical and disability insurance, a retirement plan, and an ORCA card.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, email a letter of application and resume to Jobs@aclu-wa.org and include in the subject line of the email:  your last name and Communications Assistant. In your letter, please indicate where you learned of the posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website at www.aclu-wa.org/careers

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.”