Communications Fellow

Apply now to join the team protecting and defending the constitutional rights of all people in Maine.

ABOUT THE ACLU OF MAINE

Founded in 1920, the ACLU is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that uses legal, legislative, and public education approaches to protect and promote a broad range of civil rights and civil liberties including free speech, racial justice, criminal legal reform, immigrants' rights, voting rights, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ equality, and more. The ACLU of Maine is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the nation's leading defender of civil rights and civil liberties for over 100 years.

Founded in 1968, the ACLU of Maine is a premier public advocacy organization, serving as Maine’s guardian of liberty. Based in Portland, the ACLU of Maine the organization has a highly skilled team of 15 staff who work tirelessly to protect the rights of all people in Maine and advance the ACLU of Maine’s priority issues. Non-managerial staff are members of a union, MSEA-SEIU Local 1989.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The ACLU of Maine is seeking applicants for a full-time, two-year fellowship position with the Communications and Engagement Department. The communications fellow will support the Communications and Engagement Department’s work activating supporters and maintaining the ACLU of Maine’s position as a trusted authority to the press, members, donors, and engaged residents on matters of civil rights and liberties. The department works closely with all other departments to help them achieve their goals in a unified, organizational voice. We are seeking a communications fellow who works well under deadlines, can problem-solve, multi-task, work independently, and coordinate with others across departments in a collaborative environment. The fellow will have a commitment to racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion with an approach that values the individual, respects differences, and builds networks and relationships.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Communications Fellow will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working with our team to:

Internal communications and organization:

• Stay apprised of state and local news that has civil liberties and civil rights implications on a daily basis. Use this information to assist the communications director in engaging with journalists covering issues related to the ACLU of Maine’s work.
• Assist the communications director with internal communications to keep the staff and board of directors informed.
• Create and maintain monthly analytics to track earned media, social media engagement, issue areas covered, member actions, and more.
• With support and with regular review by the communications director, develop content calendar that coordinates communications across all channels (e.g. social media, newsletters, other direct mail, membership emails).
• Support the communications director in drafting and executing communications plans.
• Assist the communications director in creating talking points, briefs, and membership newsletters.

Digital communications:

• Update the ACLU of Maine webpage at least twice weekly (e.g. adding new press releases, updating staff and board biographies, posting job announcements, updating and creating new legal case pages, updating and creating legislative postings).
• Support the communications director with drafting and sending membership emails, including action alerts, event invitations, and legislative/legal updates.
• Draft engaging social media posts that respond to current events in Maine media, promote ACLU of Maine issues, and engage with our audiences.

Membership, donor, and volunteer engagement:

• Assist with bi-annual newsletter delivered to all ACLU of Maine members.
• Additional duties as assigned, depending on capacity and organizational needs throughout the year.

Professional Development:

Create and pursue a professional development plan, in consultation with the communications and deputy directors, to build skills to further the organization’s mission.

SUPERVISION

The communications fellow will work within the Communications and Engagement Department under the direct supervision of the communications director.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate is required to have the following:

• A strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties, civil rights, and racial justice.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Ability to persuasively communicate complicated information into digestible material for public consumption.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with other ACLU staff and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as needed and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel to events as needed 5-10 times per year. Access to a vehicle is not required.
• A commitment to equity; a personal approach that values the individual regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.
• Willingness to work beyond 9-5 as needed, including occasional weekend meetings and travel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required.
• Proficiency with design programs, such as Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent, a plus.

Personal Characteristics:

Ideally, the successful candidate will be the following:

• A creative, flexible, well-organized, and reliable person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities and manage a demanding schedule; a team player who is able to work independently, jointly, and under pressure; willing to learn; a self-starter and finisher.
• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs with an understanding of a broad range of civil liberties and civil rights issues and their implications.
• Someone who displays the cultural competence needed to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with diverse communities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a two-year limited-duration fellowship with a starting salary of $63,654. This is a salaried, non-exempt position. The salary is non-negotiable, consistent with the applicable collective bargaining agreement. The ACLU of Maine works in partnership with MSEA, SEIU Local 1989, and this position is included in the collective bargaining unit. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce through equity initiatives, which include equitable pay practices.

Excellent benefits include 20 days paid time off, 10 paid holidays, individual employer-provided health and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid family medical leave, and 401(k) plan with employer match of up to 5.5%. Additionally, staff are paid during the following office closures: the first full week in August, the week of Thanksgiving, and from December 24 through January 1.

LOCATION

The ACLU of Maine’s office is based in Portland, Maine. Currently, staff work on a hybrid schedule, with all staff in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample of no more than 750 words (e.g. press release, oped, blog post, excerpt of research paper or essay). Submit materials to careers@aclumaine.org and include your name and “Communications Fellow Job Posting” in the subject line. 

If you need assistance or accommodation, contact us at careers@aclumaine.org. Your cover letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. 

The ACLU of Maine is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Maine encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, previous criminal convictions, and veteran status. 

HIRING TIMELINE

Applications are due by Thursday, July 25, at 5pm.

We plan to contact you by July 29 if we are interested in moving your candidacy forward and intend to extend an offer in mid-August. This position will ideally begin in early September. 

The ACLU of Maine is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Maine encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, previous criminal convictions, and veteran status.