Strategist (Racial Justice)

About the role

The Racial Justice Center (RJC) was established in 2023 to expand and deepen the NYCLU's racial justice portfolio. The NYCLU Racial Justice Center is in deep collaboration with the NYCLU departments and centers with all of the NYCLU priorities. The RJC also leads its own advocacy, legislation, and litigation docket.

Responsibilities

• Lead our current Indigenous Justice Campaigns such as: Education Equity Campaign, Voting Rights Campaign, Environmental Justice Campaigns, and emerging Native American Immigration issues.
• Develop and implement new issue-specific campaigns to expand and protect the civil rights and liberties of Indigenous families in New York State.
• Support the development and coordination of NYCLU’s growing relationships with Indigenous/Native communities.
• Keep abreast of developments in the field and urgent threats to Indigenous justice by monitoring community concerns and systemic patterns and make recommendations to senior staff as to appropriate responses by the NYCLU.
• Organize community forums, town halls, and related events in support of the mission of the NYCLU and the RJC.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous justice experts, organizations, community stakeholders, academics, and thought leaders to engage them in our work and implement collaborative projects, and to foster positive working relationships with the affiliate and national ACLU staff.
• Collaborate with the ACLU Indigenous Justice Working Group.
• Expand NYCLU’s reach by developing, promoting, and facilitating multimedia workshops and trainings.
• Lobby for policy change at the state and municipal level; stay abreast of developments in assigned issue areas; In coalition with Tribal leaders, educators, parents, and community partners, engage in direct advocacy with elected officials and policymakers.
• Support Racial Justice Center and NYCLU priorities and regional efforts as needed.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree or JD preferred; Bachelor’s required.
• 3+ years of experience in policy advocacy in areas at the intersection of racial justice, civil rights, and civil liberties.
• A basic understanding of the legal and/or legislative landscape of relevant laws, treaties, and/or leadership on Native regions in New York State.
• Must have a basic familiarity with legislative advocacy, lobbying, and community organizing.
• Demonstrated experience working with and alongside Indigenous/Native American communities.
• Strong facilitation skills and the ability to conduct workshops for both adult and youth learners.
• Able to prioritize and complete tasks with minimal supervision, with a proven record to manage and meet deadlines.
• A commitment to the goals and priorities of the NYCLU.
• Able to thrive in a complex, fast-paced, and collaborative working environment.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend hours (with notice).
• A personal commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the field, along with the demonstrated ability to build relationships across differences.