CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

STAFF ATTORNEY

Advancement Project seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its DC office on voter protection issues in our Power and Democracy Program.  

Recent elections have exposed persistent structural barriers to full enfranchisement, especially in communities of color.  Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program focuses on community based pre-election activities and solutions to remove these barriers.  In the 2006 election cycle, we worked primarily in nine states and approximately 40 counties within those states. We employed our legal and communications expertise in the voter protection arena to: (1) identify and correct problems well before Election Day; (2) build and refine the infrastructure needed for effective voter protection in the years to come; and (3) put program teams—well seasoned by years of fighting for fair elections—at the disposal of voter registration projects and local community coalitions.

During 2008, we will continue to identify, investigate, and remove structural barriers to full enfranchisement.  In particular, we will continue to gather information about the 2006 elections in our priority states and counties; work with community groups and election officials to dismantle obstacles that arose; identify and solve problems that may arise in the 2008 primary and general elections in our priority states and counties; and continue our litigation of existing and new voting rights cases.

Advancement Project develops, encourages, pioneers and widely disseminates ideas and models that support and mobilize a broad national racial justice movement so that universal opportunity and a just democracy are achieved. Primarily through use of legal and communications strategies, Advancement Project partners with organized communities of color to accomplish structural change.  Advancement Project was formed in 1998 by nationally known civil rights attorneys and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, CA.  The Washington, D.C. staff includes veteran civil rights attorneys Penda D. Hair (Co-Director), Judith A. Browne (Co-Director) and Edward A. Hailes (Senior Attorney). 

The Staff Attorney will be expected to use law, community problem-solving and strategic communications to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy.  More specifically, the Staff Attorney will:

  • Design and conduct investigations of various voter protection issues, including those related to voter registration; the use of provisional ballots; ID requirements; and polling place staffing and preparation;
  • Litigate, with pro-bono counsel, voting rights lawsuits on behalf of voters and voter registration groups to challenge state laws, practices, or procedures that disenfranchise voters of color;
  • Conduct legal and policy research;
  • Troubleshoot and provide advice on voter registration and participation barriers;
  • Assist with voter registration verification efforts;
  • Attend coalition meetings with election officials;
  • Train lawyers, voter registration campaigns and advocates on voter protection requirements;
  • Perform Election Day monitoring;
  • Draft voter protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project’s website;
  • Draft opinion editorials or letters to the editor

Qualifications
Candidate must have strong research, writing and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial justice.  Litigation experience is preferred.  Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience and voting rights knowledge are pluses.  Extensive travel is required.  Must be admitted to a bar.  Salary based on experience; benefits included.  Applicants should submit their resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson (gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax 202/728-9558), Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION: FOCUS ON WESTERN STATE

Advancement Project seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its Washington, DC office on voter protection issues. The successful candidate will focus on a western state, as part of our Power and Democracy Initiative.

Recent elections have exposed persistent structural barriers to full enfranchisement, especially in communities of color. Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program focuses on community based pre-election activities and solutions to remove these barriers. In the 2006 election cycle, we worked primarily in nine states and approximately 40 counties within those states. We employed our legal and communications expertise in the voter protection arena to: (1) identify and correct problems well before Election Day; (2) build and refine the infrastructure needed for effective voter protection in the years to come; and (3) put program teams—well seasoned by years of fighting for fair elections—at the disposal of voter registration projects and local community coalitions.
During 2008, we will continue to identify, investigate, and remove structural barriers to full enfranchisement. In particular, we will continue to gather information about the 2006 elections in our priority states and counties; work with community groups and election officials to dismantle obstacles that arose; identify and solve problems that may arise in the 2008 primary and general elections in our priority states and counties; and continue our litigation of existing and new voting rights cases.

Advancement Project develops, encourages, pioneers, and widely disseminates ideas and models that support and mobilize a broad national racial justice movement so that universal opportunity and a just democracy are achieved. Primarily through use of legal and communications strategies, Advancement Project partners with organized communities of color to accomplish structural change. Advancement Project was formed in 1998 by nationally known civil rights attorneys and has offices in Washington and Los Angeles.  The Washington staff includes veteran civil rights attorneys Penda D. Hair (Co-Director), Judith A. Browne (Co-Director) and Edward A. Hailes (Senior Attorney). 
The Staff Attorney will be expected to use law, community problem-solving, and strategic communications to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the Staff Attorney will:

  • Design and conduct investigations of various voter protection issues, including those related to voter registration; the use of provisional ballots; ID requirements; and polling place staffing and preparation.
  • Litigate, with pro-bono counsel, voting rights lawsuits on behalf of voters and voter registration groups to challenge state laws, practices, or procedures that disenfranchise voters of color.
  • Conduct legal and policy research.
  • Troubleshoot and provide advice on voter registration and participation barriers.
  • Assist with voter registration verification efforts.
  • Attend coalition meetings with election officials.
  • Train lawyers, voter registration campaigns, and advocates on voter protection requirements.
  • Perform Election Day monitoring.
  • Draft voter protection publications, toolkits, and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project’s website.
  • Draft opinion editorials or letters to the editor.

Qualifications
Candidate must have strong research, writing, and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial justice. Litigation experience is preferred. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience, and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Must be admitted to a bar in a Western state, preferably Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, or New Mexico.  Extensive travel is required. 

Salary based on experience; benefits included. To Apply: Applicants should submit their resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson, Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20036. Application can be submitted by email to gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax to: (202) 728-9558. Deadline: Applications accepted until filled. Position need to be filled as soon as possible.

LOCAL VOTER PROTECTION ADVOCATE: FLORIDA

Advancement Project (DC) seeks a temporary, part- or full-time, Local Voter Protection Advocate for Florida. The Local Voter Protection Advocate (“LVPA”) will join our 2008 Voter Protection Program, which is part of our Power and Democracy initiative. Through our non-partisan voter protection work we will focus on sustained pre-election activities and solutions in order to permanently break down barriers to voting in advance of the 2008 election cycle and beyond. The Florida LVPA will be Advancement Project’s on-the-ground eyes and ears in key counties, including Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach.

The duties of the LVPA include: (1) identifying and organizing community groups and stakeholders into a “Local Voter Protection Coalition;” (2) helping the coalition build relationships with local election officials in order to identify and prevent problems with voter registration and election administration; (3) anticipate barriers to voter registration and voter participation by reviewing the registration process of 2006 and 2007; (4) working with local groups to encourage adoption of Advancement Project’s voter protection model into their voter registration and community voter education activities, including providing technical support to local allies, as needed; and (5) working closely with Advancement Project’s legal staff to address and remedy barriers to voter participation. 

The LVPA will be expected to use organizing, coalition building, and community problem-solving skills to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the LVPA will:

  • Identify community partners and build a working voter protection coalition.
  • Trouble shoots and provides advice on voter registration and participation barriers.
  • Assist with voter registration verification efforts.
  • Monitor/challenge purging practices.
  • Monitor/challenge plans for Election Day practices (in advance), e.g., provisional ballots, ID requirements, polling place staffing and preparation.
  • Attend coalition meetings with election officials.
  • Perform Election Day monitoring.
  • Work with Communications Department to maximize public impact of voter protection activities.
  • Assist in drafting voter protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project’s website.

Qualifications
Candidate must have strong writing and interpersonal skills and some knowledge of legal issues, as well as a proven commitment to racial justice. A college degree is required; a law degree is helpful but not necessary. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience, and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Extensive travel within Florida is required. Salary based on experience. To Apply: Applicants should send their resume with a list of three references and the phrase “FL Local Voter Protection Advocate” in the subject line, to Glendale Clarkson at gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax to: (202) 728-9558. Deadline: Applications accepted until position filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

Advancement Project, a policy and legal action group that creates new strategies for achieving universal opportunity and a racially just democracy, is seeking a highly motivated individual who can provide secretarial-administrative support. 

The Administrative Assistant’s position requires a welcoming disposition and both strong communication and interactive skills, as this person is the first employee to greet visitors and answer phones. In addition, the position necessitates good organizational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to perform multiple tasks successfully. Computer skills and the ability to learn new programs quickly are beneficial to success in this position.

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for assisting with the daily operations of the office. This also includes handling incoming and outgoing mail and packages, assisting programs with various projects and preparing for office events. In addition, the Administrative Assistant is expected to assist the Operations Manager with all daily operations of the office including organizing and maintaining the filing systems, operating main office voice mail, maintaining office equipment, and maintaining office supplies.

Duties include but not limited to the following:

Answer phones and direct to appropriate person
Greet guest
Keep reception, workroom and conference area neat
Assist staff as needed: typing, faxing, copying, scanning, research & filing
Schedule interviews
Travel arrangements for staff (flight, hotel, car, etc)
Maintain office supplies
Keep paper in fax machine, printers and copiers
Distribute mail
Develop spreadsheet(s)
Update Front desk procedures when necessary
Track credit card expenses
Serve as back-up to Legal Administrative Assistant

Additional Qualifications:  Administrative Assistant must be able to communicate professionally with individuals with various ethnic backgrounds.  Bi-lingual candidates preferred.

To apply, submit cover letter and resume to:

Glendale Clarkson
Operations Manager
Advancement Project
1730 M St., NW – Suite 910
Washington, DC 20036
gclarkson@advancementproject.org
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Writer/Editor

Advancement Project, a national racial justice organization, seeks a writer/editor to join our communications team in the Washington D.C. office.   We are seeking an experienced writer/editor to produce a broad spectrum of written materials. A background in journalism and racial policy is preferred, and candidates must be able to quickly develop sprightly, well-written copy.  The writer/editor will support the Communications Department with the development of content for publications and other written communiques. 

Knowledge of how to develop and package information appropriately for different formats is essential for this position. Enthusiasm for selling ideas to community partners, the media and other audiences through writing is a must. Candidates should also be able to prioritize effectively, work well under deadline pressure, and edit/rewrite documents quickly.

All candidates will be required to take a writing and proofreading test.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Edit and proofread all research reports;
  • Develop web content;
  • Conceptualize, write and develop copy for broad audience consumption;
  • Provide editorial support;
  • Identify needed organizational content and spearhead efforts to fill them;
  • Development of professional, accurate & timely content for internal and external publication;
  • Outstanding writing, editing, and grammar skills, with a commitment to accuracy; tone, and consistency in language that supports Advancement Project’s brand;
  • Strong interviewing skills and the ability to elicit key information is essential;
  • Provide input into keeping organizational editorial style guide up-to-date;
  • Manage and coordinate content review process with multiple stakeholders for all project work;
  • Prepare materials designed to raise awareness of continuing impact of race on society;
  • Write newsletter content;
  • Interview community activists and write about their struggles; and
  • Develop white papers about structural racism.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelors degree required, journalism, English or other communication related degree preferred;
  • Experience with Microsoft Office and Internet;
  • Strong editing, proofreading, and writing skills;
  • Ability to work independently and as a team player;
    Ability to work in a fast-paced environment;
  • A minimum of three years' news reporting/writing experience, preferably covering racial justice issues;
  • Proven ability to identify timely, compelling topics for wide ranging audiences;
  • Skill at meeting tight deadlines and juggling multiple tasks;
  • Solid understanding of the fundamentals and ethics of writing;
  • Demonstrated ability at developing and maintaining community contacts;
  • Strong understanding of AP style and basic grammar and punctuation;
  • Willingness to travel several times a year;
  • Ability to work well in a highly collaborative, creative, fast-paced environment;
  • Strong research, organizational, and communication skill;
  • Attention to detail;
  • Prefer an ability to frame national issues under the lens of race;
  • Ability to work well under pressure;
  • Adaptability and flexibility; and
  • Fluency in Spanish is desirable.

We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package.  Advancement Project is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.
This position is located in Washington, DC.
Submit resume, cover letter, two styles of writing samples and three references to:
Sabrina Williams
Communications Director
Advancement Project
1730 M Street, NW, #910
Washington DC, 20036
E-mail: swilliams@advancementproject.org
Fax: 202/728-9558

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Development Associate

Advancement Project, a policy and legal action group that creates new strategies for achieving universal opportunity and a racially just democracy, is seeking a Development Associate to play an essential role as part of the organization’s Development team in the Washington, DC office. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in advocacy or a career in the nonprofit field.

Responsibilities:

  • Stay informed of Advancement Project’s programmatic work and provide updates to development team regularly
  • Assist in developing fundraising plans and strategies.
  • Conduct prospect research and prepare prospect profiles as required.
  • Coordinate fundraising activities, including tracking foundation proposal and report due dates.
  • Assist in writing and preparing proposals and reports to foundations and major donors.
  • Track all foundation activities, funding strategies and trends.
  • Assist in development, management and growth of a multichannel fundraising program.
  • Manage the donor base.
  • Maintain consistent contact with individual donor base through email, phone calls, and mailings. Assist in preparing quarterly E-mail updates to funders and select donors; implement at least 4 mailings to individual donor base each year
  • Develop innovative means of building non-foundation funding streams and increasing individual donor base.
  • Support development of annual report.

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • Minimum BA or BS degree.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, donor databases.
  • Detail oriented and good organizational skills.
  • Highly organized and efficient, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative.
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
  • Supportive of Advancement Project’s mission and able to communicate the value of the mission to donors.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, two short writing samples and three professional references via email to Ana Reyes via e-mail at areyes@advancementproject.org or via fax at (202) 728-9558 by April 30, 2008. Your cover letter should state clearly why you are interested in a position at Advancement Project and why you believe you are a qualified candidate for the job.

Development Intern

Advancement Project, a policy and legal action group that creates new strategies for achieving universal opportunity and a racially just democracy, is seeking a part-time Development Intern to join the organization’s Development team in the Washington, DC office.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in advocacy or a career in the nonprofit field. The Development Intern will be a key member of the Development team and work collaboratively with the Development Director and Development Associate to ensure that all fundraising goals are met. This is a summer internship, with the possibility for extending into the academic year based on performance.

Responsibilities:

  • Research prospective new funders for civil rights organization and create prospective funder profiles
  • Report bi-weekly to Development Department on new funding prospects
  • Process individual donations and send acknowledgements weekly
  • Maintain organized and up-to-date paper and electronic files for Development Department
  • Prepare monthly reports of individual donations received
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • College junior or senior; or graduate student
  • Available to work 15-20 hours per week
  • Excellent research skills
  • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, donor databases.
  • Detail oriented and good organizational skills.
  • Highly organized and efficient, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative and maturity.
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
  • Supportive of Advancement Project’s mission

The compensation for this position is $10.00/hour.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, one short writing sample and two professional references via email to Erica McKnight at emcknight@advancementproject.org or via fax at (202) 728-9558 by May 25, 2008. Your cover letter should state clearly why you are interested in an internship at Advancement Project and why you believe you are a qualified candidate for the position.