Department: Policy & Advocacy

Location: Houston/Dallas

Engagement Coordinator – L2: Free Speech and Pluralism

Job Description

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Engagement Coordinator for Free Speech and Pluralism works within the Policy & Advocacy Department with a heavy focus on advocacy and engagement. While this position is based in Houston or Dallas, the Engagement Coordinator will be expected to travel within and across Texas (approximately 25% travel). The Engagement Coordinator assists in developing advocacy campaign goals, strategies, and plans, with a focus on engaging core constituency groups targeted by state, local, and school board attacks on free speech and protester rights, libraries and reading materials, and inclusive education. This position will also provide advocacy and engagement support for other free speech and pluralism-related issues and other issue areas as needed. This role also works as part of a team at the local and state levels and in close collaboration with other departments within the ACLU of Texas and ACLU National. The position reports to the Senior Political Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Executes research and helps evaluate potential opportunities to increase electoral participation with school boards that contribute to the organization's policy objectives, with support and direction from the supervisor.
• Supports the strategic direction of ACLUTX policy, organizing, and political work. In coordination with our policy, engagement, and communication staff contributes to the advancement of the organization’s issue priorities through a comprehensive strategy that takes into account electoral opportunities to advance issue area work.

• Drafts plans, presentations, materials, and other written products to a high standard of accuracy, readability, and impact. Learns to efficiently incorporate feedback in producing high-quality deliverables.

• Builds working-level relationships with partner organizations, expands our reach in c3 and c4 spaces, and participates in dynamic coalition-based work.

• Maintains strong internal coordination toward objectives through relationships, agenda-driven meetings, email, and appropriate elevation as issues arise. Develops strategic planning skills and contributes to departmental and issue area strategic planning.

• Assists in developing strategies and executing plans to achieve departmental objectives through a combination of policy knowledge and advocacy skills, with support from the supervisor. Manages projects independently while engaging in clear and consistent communication with others.

• Exerts influence on policymakers, legislators, and the general public through writing, speaking, campaigns, and coalition-based work.

• Drawing on a range of prior experiences, uses good judgment in anticipating risks and opportunities to inform strategy development, particularly across a range of targets from rural to suburban to urban areas.

• May represent the organization in coalitions, media, and other forums and the local and regional level.
• Will work as member of team to support other areas and integrated efforts as appropriate.

COMPETENCIES

• Influence: Able to persuade and influence individuals or groups to gain support and build momentum for ideas, proposals, and initiatives, including with skeptical audiences.
• Strategy: Identifies and analyzes options for action, makes recommendations informed by prior experiences, policy knowledge, and relationships.
• Communication. Quickly incorporates feedback to produce high quality written products; conveys ideas clearly and with empathy and cultural sensitivity across different kinds of communication channels.
• Project management. Manages projects of intermediate complexity, including planning and strategy responsibilities, delegating tasks to partners and team members, engaging vendors, managing project budgets, coordinating across internal teams, and overseeing documentation and reporting requirements.
• Analytical skills. Observes, evaluates, and applies quantitative and qualitative data to solving problems. Able to both diagnose problems and offer solutions that are aligned with the organization’s position and role.
• Analysis. Identifies and defines problems, able to extract insights from different kinds of data, organizes information effectively, uses information to develop workable solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least three years of experience working in public policy research, advocacy, and/or organizing.
• Track record of achieving policy change to improve civil liberties at the local and/or regional level.
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and communications tools.
• Flexible schedule and ability to work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Fluency in the key tools used in electoral work organizing.
• Strong existing knowledge of the Texas political landscape.
• Demonstrated abilities in project management and campaign planning activities.
• Ability to draw on prior experiences in making recommendations for action in uncertain operating environments.
• Spanish language skills or skills in another language spoken widely in Dallas or Houston are strongly desired.
• Commitment to racial justice outcomes.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Flexible schedule and ability to work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties.
• Familiarity with 501(c)3 and 501(c)(4) distinctions and limitations.
• Desire for career growth in civil liberties and at the ACLU.

COMPENSATION

The salary band for this role ranges from $60,000 - $75,000 depending on experience and qualifications.