ADVANCEMENT PROJECT’S VOTER PROTECTION PROGRAM
PRESSES FORWARD IN 2008.
JOIN THE TEAM!
TWO STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS: WESTERN STATE & PENNSYLVANIA
Advancement Project seeks two Staff Attorneys to work in its Washington, DC office on voter protection issues. One position will focus on a western state, while the other will focus on Pennsylvania. Both positions are 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. Extensive travel is required.
- Western State Position: Must be admitted to a bar in a western state, preferably Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, or New Mexico.
- Pennsylvania Position: Must be admitted to a bar, preferably DC and/or Pennsylvania.
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. Positions 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 Jennifer Maranzano at: jmaranzano@advancementproject.org or fax to: (202) 728-9558. Deadline: Applications accepted until position filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.
LOCAL VOTER PROTECTION ADVOCATE: PENNSYLVANIA
Advancement Project (DC) seeks a temporary, part-time Local Voter Protection Advocate for Pennsylvania. The Local Voter Protection Advocate will join our 2007-2008 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 Pennsylvania Local Voter Protection Advocate (“LVPA”) will be Advancement Project’s on-the-ground eyes and ears in key counties.
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 streamline the registration process and prevent problems; (3) anticipate issues by reviewing the registration process of 2006 and 2007 (where applicable); (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. Salary based on experience. To Apply: Applicants should send their resume with a list of references and the phrase “PA Local Voter Protection Advocate” in the subject line, to M. Aurora Vasquez at: avasquez@advancementproject.org or fax to: (202) 728-9558. Deadline: Applications accepted until position filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.
Director of Communications
The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, a leading interdisciplinary research institute, seeks applications and nominations for the position of Director of Communications. Housed at The Ohio State University, the Kirwan Institute’s dynamic interdisciplinary approach is aimed at promoting a just and fair society for all through a deeper understanding of the nature and causes of racial and ethnic disparities and hierarchies. The goal is the development and advancement of policies and practices aimed at disestablishing these hierarchies by linking research to humanity’s everyday reality. As its influence amongst foundations, organizers, policymakers, and the social justice community continues to grow dramatically, its expertise is being solicited at an ever swifter and more exhilarating pace. The Director of Communications will work closely with the Institute’s senior management team and research staff to expand the Institute’s impact, visibility, and outreach on the local, state, regional, national, and global levels. The Communications Director will play a critical role in expanding the Institute’s impact on societal change through broader and deeper penetration of its research and conceptual innovations into the public discourse. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lend strategic vision and expertise to devising and executing a comprehensive communications strategy.
- Develop and implement a communications infrastructure.
- Oversee the development and management of communications and marketing enterprises, materials, publications, and presentations to local, national, and international audiences.
- Identify opportunities to build ongoing, collaborative relationships with The Ohio State University and beyond.
- Provide strategic, expert analysis, advice, and support to colleagues.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrate values espoused by the Institute
- Bring significant experience to and proven success in developing and implementing communications strategies
- Possess the sophistication, intellectual drive, and charisma to effectively build relationships between scholars, researchers, activist, policymakers, and partner organizations
- Establish and articulate communications professions with the sophistication, intelligence, and forethought to steer and direct the development of a multidimensional communications strategy targeting a diverse range of audiences
- Minimally hold a bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field
- Demonstrate a proven communications track record
- Minimum of eight years of successful experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing
To Apply: The Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group has been retained to assist the Kirwan Institute in its search. Send cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, résumé (in Word format), salary history, and where you learned of the position to: kirwan-dc@nonprofitprofessionals.com. Please type your name (last, first) as the only content in the subject line of your email. Deadline: February 12, 2008. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The Kirwan Institute is an equal opportunity employer. Women and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Executive Director
National Senior Citizens Law Center, Washington, DC (currently)
The National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) is a national public interest law firm dedicated to securing justice for America’s low-income older persons. Originally founded as a Legal Services Corporation support center, today NSCLC has a mission that is more critical than ever, in light of historic demographic, economic, political, and legal changes threatening the economic and health security and general well-being of older Americans. NSCLC approaches these changes with a 35-year history of success in helping low-income older people live with dignity, independence, and freedom from poverty. Unique among elder policy programs, NSCLC combines legal and policy analysis, cutting-edge national legal and policy advocacy, and training, education, and mobilization of nationwide networks of legal aid advocates, pro bono lawyers, ombudsmen, and other groups. NSCLC is currently playing leading roles on critical issues involving: Medicaid; long-term care; Medicare Part D; Social Security; SSI; and preserving court access and the enforceability of federal rights. NSCLC is particularly concerned with problems affecting women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities. This is an opportunity for a leader to guide, challenge, and inspire a remarkable organization whose expert advocacy and unique focus is urgently needed. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a collegial leadership style, a passion for justice, and the ability to effectively garner resources, think creatively, and plan strategically. NSCLC values a genuine commitment to working for poor and underserved populations with a compelling vision for advocacy. The position requires a person with management and fundraising skills who can take charge of and expand an organization with a current budget of $1.6 million and a talented and dedicated staff in offices located in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Oakland, California.
NSCLC employs the following strategies to achieve its mission: Legal Analysis: NSCLC is the primary source of analytical support for legal services attorneys and others representing low-income elder law interests. Its work includes drafting and interpreting federal and state statutes and regulations, as well as analyzing the legality of government conduct. Litigation: Working in conjunction with local and state-based attorneys throughout the country, NSCLC is an important litigator of major health and income support cases on behalf of older people with limited incomes and people with disabilities. Education and Training: NSCLC is a leader in providing substantive and practical education and training to advocates and consumers across a broad spectrum of subjects, including Medicaid, Social Security, SSI, Medicare Part D, long term care and access to courts to vindicate the rights of low-income older people. Information: Through its website, numerous publications, and issue analysis, NSCLC is widely known as an authoritative source of information on the array of health and income security issues that affect the low-income older people. Policy Advocacy: Independently and in collaboration with others, NSCLC works with Congress, state legislatures, and administrative agencies to fashion, influence, and implement national and local health and income security policy for older persons and people with disabilities. Communications: NSCLC has increasingly worked to bring the compelling importance of our issues and proposals to the attention of the press and the public, through the addition of media strategy components to our advocacy initiatives, through authorship of articles, pamphlets, and books, and through enhancement of our website and the internet as communications tools.
Governance and Management
The National Senior Citizens Law Center is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors who serve three-year renewable terms. They include prominent representatives from the legal community – including the private bar and legal services; elder policy organizations; and academia – and related fields, such as nursing and social work. The Board oversees the work of NSCLC, regularly meets three times a year, and operates through an Executive Committee between Board meetings. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall guidance and management of the organization, including its finances and the development and execution of its policy initiatives. Each office is headed by directing and managing attorneys, with the Executive Director responsible for administration of the office in which he or she is located (currently the Washington, DC office). The Director of Finance and Administration and the Director of Development, located in Washington, report to the Executive Director. Currently there are two employees in the Los Angles office, both lawyers; five in the Oakland office, four of whom are lawyers; and eight employees in the Washington office, of whom four are lawyers.
The Board has developed a set of goals for the new Executive Director during her/his first 18 to 24 months on the job. The Board anticipates that the new Executive Director will review these goals and work with the Board to develop a final strategic plan: (1) In partnership with the Board of Directors and the staff, oversee the organization’s planning, including an assessment of the program’s strengths and needs, (2) Substantially increase and diversify the organization’s sources of revenue. NSCLC has enjoyed productive relationships with numerous foundations. The new Executive Director will be expected to maintain these relationships and expand the revenue base of the organization. In this regard, the organization contemplates the development of a private donor major gifts program as well as litigation consistent with its mission that may generate legal fees. (3) Increase NSCLC’s visibility and strengthen both its external and internal communications capacity, (4) Strengthen and expand existing relationships with other advocates, attorneys in the field and policy makers, (5) Serve as a spokesperson for the organization in its role of influencing public policy related to emerging issues in healthcare and financial security for older Americans, (6) Enhance the diversity of the legal and support staff, increase the size of the staff to provide adequate scope and scale for our substantive work, strengthen staff development, and engage lawyers in various offices in collaborating more closely together, and (7) In association with the Board and its chair, help design and implement a Board recruitment plan with an emphasis on attracting diverse new members with expertise and access to resources. Qualifications:
- Avid commitment to assuring access to health and income security and justice for older low-income people
- Firm grasp of the principles and practices involved in effective leadership and management of a non-profit advocacy institution. Specifically, NSCLC values a collegial leadership style that is transparent and consultative, engages the support and talents of the staff, leads by example, and encourages staff buy-in of desired outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to use resources to their greatest effect
- Strong written and oral communications skills and an ability to articulate a vision of justice for older Americans that is compelling to potential donors, partners in advocacy, and government policymakers
- Entrepreneurial temperament that seeks new opportunities and flourishes in a changing environment
- Ability to put the good of the organization first, to encourage and respect criticism, and share credit for achievements generously
- Track record of leading and developing a dedicated, creative and diverse staff
- Demonstrated record of successful fundraising, including private donor and foundation fundraising
- Knowledge of and experience in setting organizational strategy and serving as a spokesperson for an organization
- Knowledge of elder and public benefits law and/or policy would be valuable, but is not required
- Successful experience working with a volunteer Board of Directors
- History of successful working relationships with key figures in a public policy environment
To Apply: NSCLC has retained TransitionGuides to assist in identifying and recruiting exceptional leaders as candidates for this position. E-mail résumé, cover letter, and salary requirements to NSCLC@transitionguides.com. Email applications are preferred. Other inquires should be addressed to: NSCLC Search c/o TransitionGuides, Attn: Ginna Goodenow, 1751 Elton Rd, Suite 204, Silver Spring, MD 20903, Phone (301) 439-6635, Fax (301) 439-6638. Deadline: None given. Posted December 2007. The National Senior Citizens Law Center is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NSCLC particularly encourages applications from members of minority groups, women, and others
whose backgrounds may contribute to more effective representation of low-income and underserved communities.
Worker Organizer
Northwest Arkansas Workers’ Justice Center, Springdale AR
The Northwest Arkansas Workers’ Justice Center is hiring a full-time worker organizer as the center enters its first year of a four-year wage theft campaign. This full-time worker organizer position was created to deal solely with the issue of wage theft in the construction industry. The successful candidate will have a commitment to social and economic justice for low wage and underrepresented working people and a desire to partner with working people and empower them to pursue systemic change in the workplace. The worker organizer will demonstrate an understanding of the difference between organizing and advocacy/social service. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Using a popular education model, present bi-monthly wage theft clinics for workers.
- Develop a “train the trainer” workshop to create worker educators (held twice yearly).
- Educate the broader community on the issue of wage theft at three community events.
- Identify worker leaders from current and new cases.
- Create a worker lead steering committee to set goals and evaluate the direction of the campaign.
- Recruit worker organizers to form a committee to work on state policy initiatives and to develop legislative priorities statements for 2008 legislative session.
- Communicate with government agencies and/or attorneys handling workers cases.
- Maintain up-to-date documentation on workers cases.
- Communicate with workers about the status of cases.
- Develop an ethical employer covenant.
- Develop outreach material for workers and for broader community about the issue of wage theft and possible solutions.
- Outreach and relationship building with local clergy and their congregations.
- Develop partnerships within the construction industry.
- Attend an initial training on organizing around the issue of wage theft (some additional travel may be required).
- Attend a yearly Interfaith Worker Justice Affiliate Conference in Chicago (some additional travel may be required).
- Attend regional convenings to address specific development needs of the southern workers centers (some additional travel may be required).
- Report to director on organizing activities and membership activities.
- Update workerpro database with relevant information on cases.
- Help organize and implement grassroots fundraising plan with worker leaders.
As this campaign progresses from year one, the job duties and expected outcomes for the worker organizer position will evolve to reflect the expectation of the funding grant.
Qualifications:
- Community or union organizing experience is a must
- Commitment to social justice and self determination
- Ability to organize in English and Spanish
- Good written and oral Spanish and English skills
- Basic computer literacy
- Must be self-motivated, tenacious, and able to work independently
- Not afraid of confrontation
- Ability to work non-traditional hours (some nights and weekend work is required)
- Must have transportation or access to reliable transportation
- No minimum education is required
To Apply: Mail cover letter and résumé to: NWA Workers’ Justice Center, C/O Rachel Townsend, 2200 West Sunset, Suite B-4, Springdale, AR, 72762 or email information to: rtownsend@nwawjc.org. Deadline: January 30, 2008. Women, people of color, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
