Community Engagement and Education Coordinator

About the Job

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of the District of Columbia (ACLU-DC) seeks applicants for the full-time position of Community Engagement and Education Coordinator. This hybrid role is based in Washington, DC

ACLU-DC protects, promotes, and advances a broad range of constitutional values and individual rights through an integrated advocacy framework, using the tools of litigation, legislative advocacy, communication strategies and public education. ACLU-DC’s policy advocacy department works to advance civil liberties and civil rights in the District. We engage in legislative process by testifying on bills before the D.C. Council, working in coalition with community partners and impacted communities, and conduct research to further our understanding of the issues most impacting D.C. residents. We aim to support bills and initiatives that strengthen District residents’ Constitutional rights and civil liberties, and defeat bills that threaten them. 

Applications submitted on or before August 14, 2026, will be given priority. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

What You’ll Do

Under the direction and supervision of the Policy Advocacy Director, the Community Engagement and Education Coordinator will support ACLU-D.C. programs by developing, implementing, and supporting plans to educate and engage D.C. residents in our work, helping position the ACLU-D.C. as a trusted and valued resource for our community

Your Day to Day

Working closely with other members of the Policy Advocacy Department, as well as members of the Communications Department, the Development Department, the Legal Department, coalition partners, and the ACLU National Office, the Community Engagement and Education Coordinator will:

• Engage with the D.C. community to increase awareness of the ACLU-D.C. and its resources. This will include work with local elected officials, coalition partners, and community groups.


• Support community education by assisting with Know Your Rights (KYR) trainings, lead the distribution of KYR materials, and serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU-D.C. at festivals and other community events.


• Work with advocacy technology and digital outreach tools, including text messaging & phone-banking software, to increase civic engagement, in coordination with the Communications and Policy Advocacy Departments


• Support volunteer management and stewardship. Ensure volunteers have strong coordination, consistent stewardship and recruitment, by supporting onboarding, training, engagement, mobilization, and offboarding.


• Work in coordination with the Communications Department to develop communications associated with volunteer opportunities.


• Support legal intake, as needed and to link knowledge of intake issues to the Policy Advocacy team. Support the ACLU-DC’s legal intake program with tasks such as logging and tracking intakes, interviewing potential clients, providing referral information for potential clients whose cases we are not taking, and investigating potential cases.


• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Future ACLU-D.C. Team Members Will

• Be committed to advancing the priorities and mission of ACLU-DC


• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives.


• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.

What You’ll Bring

• College degree required.


• At least two (2) years of experience in community engagement, community education, volunteer support or coordination, and/or issue-based advocacy with a community campaign component, inclusive of experience as a student or intern


• Excitement and experience working with new/learning organizers/volunteers.


• Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, and willing to learn.


• Strong organizational skills; the ability to manage competing priorities and timelines.


• Strong task and time management skills.


• Ability to juggle and stay on top of many concurrent tasks at once.


• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to people of different backgrounds and levels of training or education.


• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and/or irregular hours for in-person meetings and events.


• High ethical standards, including the ability to maintain non-partisanship, hold confidential client information, and follow organizational privacy guidelines.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Knowledge of and familiarity with advocacy software and tools, especially EveryAction and VAN.


• Proficiency in a language other than English spoken by the communities we serve is a plus (examples are Spanish, French, Mandarin, Amharic)

Compensation Package

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer as part of a complete compensation package is essential to not just their work, but also to their overall well-being.

The annual salary range for this position is  $72,000 - $84,999

• Community Engagement and Education Coordinator with 0–3 years of experience: Analyst I pay scale ($72,000–$77,499)


• Community Engagement and Education Coordinator with 3+ years of experience: Analyst II pay scale ($77,500–$84,999)

In addition to salary, ACLU-DC offers a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with generous paid time-off and leave policies, including a 90-day paid sabbatical after five years of service.


• Focus on well-being with employer paid comprehensive healthcare benefits for the employees and family members (including medical, dental and vision coverage)

• Plan for retirement with 401k plan and employer match


• Reduce student loan debt with employer funded student loan repayment assistance.


• Grow professionally with annual professional development funds and internal professional development programs.

How to Apply

To complete the application, you will need to upload:

• A resume that lists relevant experience and education


• A cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position.

Applications without all of the above will not be considered. Please apply through https://acludc.bamboohr.com/careers/58.

Hiring Process

The hiring process stages will consist of:

1. Phone screen


2. Hiring Panel Interview


3. In-person interview with Policy Advocacy Director


4. Final interview with Executive Director 

When a candidate enters the final stages of the hiring process, they will be asked to provide a list of three references, including a sentence about each one identifying what information the person can provide.

We are committed to a thorough and transparent hiring process designed to ensure the best fit for both our organization and potential team members. If you have a disability and need accommodation regarding any part of the application process, please contact us at [email protected]

WHY THE ACLU-DC

At ACLU-D.C., we envision a just and free D.C. where all people live without systemic governmental oppression and can exercise their power to protect and expand civil rights, civil liberties, and human dignity.

For 65 years, ACLU-DC has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and DC law. Whether it’s reforming our criminal justice system, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, defending the rights of immigrant communities, representing federal workers, or achieving full voting rights for DC residents through DC Statehood, ACLU-DC takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all those who visit, live and work in DC.

ACLU-DC is an affiliate of the national ACLU, one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights with 54 affiliates across the country and in Puerto Rico.

CLASSIFICATION

ACLU-DC recognizes a staff bargaining unit, ACLU-DC Staff United, affiliated with the Washington Baltimore News Guild. This position is a full-time, salaried, non-exempt and is part of ACLU-DC’s bargaining unit.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The ACLU of the District of Columbia is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing our team's diversity and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to supporting persons with disabilities in their work and encourage their request for needed job accommodations.

Research shows members of systematically marginalized groups tend to only apply if they meet 100% match for the role. If you are passionate about the priorities and mission of ACLU-DC, and believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.