Field Manager

Employment Status: Regular, Full Time

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Location: Montpelier, Vermont

Compensation: $65,000 – $70,000

Scope: Funding for this position has been approved for at least three years, with the possibility of extension.

Start Date: Target February 1, or as soon after as possible

Position Summary

The ACLU of Vermont seeks a highly motivated, organized, and skilled professional with previous electoral, legislative, or issue advocacy campaign experience to manage our statewide organizing and outreach efforts. This position is an extraordinary opportunity for a talented leader with strong strategic acumen and personal relationship skills to play a central role in ACLU advocacy in Vermont.

Recognizing our democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the ACLU of Vermont is taking our statewide advocacy to the next level, expanding our litigation, policy, and communications programs, and building new infrastructure for issue campaigns and electoral engagement. We are also committed to fostering a strong internal culture of belonging, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable practices and organizational diversity.

We are a passionate, highly motivated group of lawyers, public policy experts, organizers, and communications and development professionals, and we are looking for exceptional talent to join our team. To learn more about the ACLU of Vermont, visit our website.

Position Location

The ACLU of Vermont currently follows a hybrid office policy with program-specific in-office expectations. The Field Manager will be expected to work from our Montpelier office more often than not, especially when the legislature is in session, with the exact hybrid schedule to be set in conversation with their supervisor.

Responsibilities

The Field Manager will develop our advocacy infrastructure, strengthen and maintain partnerships with supporters and key stakeholders, prioritizing directly impacted communities and individuals, and track progress and accomplish campaign goals. The Field Manager will work closely with all members of the Advocacy Program and other staff to guide the community engagement efforts of the ACLU of Vermont and support the planning and execution of strategic advocacy campaigns. The Field Manager will have a strong awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias in a variety of settings.

This position will report to the Advocacy Director and will be responsible for managing volunteers and interns.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Recruit, train, assist, and manage an active supporter base to support the work of the ACLU.
• Build and mobilize a base of ACLU supporters, volunteers, and community members as advocates for the ACLU policy agenda, particularly in key legislative districts.
• Organize both small and large-scale public events statewide to educate and mobilize ACLU supporters and the broader public for specific advocacy priorities. Events may include community forums, presentations, trainings, small group meetings, panel discussions, tabling events, press conferences, and rallies.
• Identify and recruit volunteers, including potential speakers and witnesses for public hearings and press conferences, as well as potential clients for impact litigation. Coordinate constituent communications and visits with decision makers.
• Develop equitable and reciprocal relationships with coalition partners and community organizations – particularly community members impacted by policing and incarceration— and racial justice initiatives led by people who are Black, indigenous, or people of color. Responsibilities include outreach, collaboration on events, volunteer recruitment, organizing meetings, and regular communication with campaign partners and other allies to help design, implement, and support strategic initiatives and win policy changes at the state and local levels.
• Work with advocacy technology tools, including implementing the best use of volunteer management software, social media, and digital outreach tools including text messaging & phone-banking software, to increase engagement.
• Coordinate with the legal, communications, administrative, and development departments to ensure that campaigns support the organization’s full mission and are supported by all departments and staff in the organization.
• Develop and provide presentations, “Know Your Rights” trainings, and media interviews about ACLU of Vermont campaigns.
• Present a positive and professional face at all times when representing the ACLU of Vermont and help maintain a welcoming environment for employees and volunteers.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a creative, flexible, well-organized, and reliable person who is able to prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities while managing a demanding schedule. They are a collaborative team player who enjoys working independently, jointly, and at times under pressure. They are willing to learn, and possess many or all of the following qualifications:

• At least three years prior experience developing, coordinating, and managing successful issue advocacy, legislative, or political campaigns strongly preferred.
• Experience motivating volunteers within large, diverse coalitions and engaging decision-makers.
• Experience using policy analysis, lobbying, polling, communications, and/or mobilizing or organizing tactics to influence a policy agenda.
• Demonstrated commitment to the advancement of civil rights and civil liberties.
• Familiarity with Vermont legislature and state politics strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of civil liberties advocacy and messaging, or an ability to quickly become conversant with the latest research, messaging, and tactics used to educate the public and move policymakers.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and proven ability to work with emotional intelligence, receive feedback, work through conflict with integrity, and operate within principles of solidarity when working in partnership with groups representing constituencies impacted by oppression. Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Proven ability to establish credibility and respect with people directly impacted by the systems we work to change. Ability to create opportunities for partners’ input and leadership to guide our work, and to work collaboratively with other constituencies and policy makers from a range of backgrounds and ideological positions.
• A sophisticated understanding of how to be effective in the policy arena, in political organizing, and in formulating strategies that tie together research, legal analysis and litigation, lobbying, new forms of communications, and grassroots and “grasstops” advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage details and follow-through with a minimum of direct supervision. Strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, supervise staff and volunteers, monitor progress towards goals, and track campaign metrics.
• Team player who inspires collaboration, lifts up the work of others, and maintains balance and perspective with patience and a sense of humor; ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance a campaign’s effectiveness. Proven ability to build and nurture a calm and positive working environment, even in high-intensity situations.
• Excellent communication, writing, research, and analytical skills, including ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts, polling information, and other complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences. Experience working with media, including print, radio, television, and new media is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, databases, and various web platforms.
• Ability to work irregular hours, including evening and weekend events as necessary.
• Valid driver’s license or driver’s privilege card, reliable vehicle, and willingness to travel.

Compensation and Benefits

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce through equity initiatives, which include equitable pay practices. Competitive compensation is commensurate with experience. Starting salary range for this position is $65,000-$70,000. This position has approved funding for at least three years with the possibility of extension.

We understand how vital our work is and at the same time understand the toll engaged activism can take. Our goal is to retain staff and we believe that having a robust benefits offering is vital in meeting that goal. Our benefits include fully employer-paid medical and dental insurance for staff members, their dependents, and spouse or domestic partner; life insurance and disability; defined contribution plan with employer match; and generous vacation and sick leave, in addition to 14 paid holidays. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

How to Apply

• Email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to search@acluvt.org
• Include in the subject line of the email: your last name and “Field Manager”
• We will begin reviewing applications on December 9th, and will continue to accept additional applications until the position is filled, at which time the job listing will be removed from our website.

Please let us know if you have any accessibility accommodation requests during the application or hiring process.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Hiring

ACLU-VT is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive office culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. ACLU-VT strongly encourages applications from all identities. No applicant will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or prior involvement in the criminal justice system.

About ACLU of Vermont

The ACLU of Vermont integrates impact litigation, policy advocacy, organizing, public education, and strategic communications to defend and advance civil liberties for all people across a broad range of constitutionally protected rights and freedoms. Founded in 1967 and based in Montpelier, the ACLU of Vermont is the statewide affiliate of the national ACLU, a nationwide organization with a presence in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. The ACLU fights tirelessly for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or national origin.