Description
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (“ACLU-HI”) works to dismantle systemic injustice and protect the civil liberties for all through legal, political, and educational efforts. The ACLU- HI is building a strong organizing team within its Community Engagement department and is seeking a self-motivated, talented candidate with experience in community organizing, outreach, advocacy, communications, and volunteer management to serve as our Community Field Fellow.
The ACLU-HI seeks an experienced organizer with initiative and strong interpersonal skills to mobilize and empower grassroots supporters across Hawaii to achieve short- and long-term objectives in furthering the mission of the ACLU-HI. The Community Field Fellow will report directly to the Director of Community Engagement and work collaboratively with members of the executive, policy, development, and legal staff.
Position Overview
Title: Community Field Fellow
Term: 1 year
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Deadline to Apply: March 25, 2026; applications accepted until the role is filled
Expected Start: May 18, 2026 (exact date negotiable)
Supervision: Reports to the Director of Community Engagement
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $65,000 USD
Essential Job Functions
- Building the base of ACLU-HI supporters and volunteer leaders
Develop and implement strategies to expand our base of supporters through recruitment, training, digital organizing, and ongoing engagement.
Cultivate a supporter base that is empowered, connected, and can mobilize to take action and support the objectives of the ACLU-HI.
Develop and implement training that builds the capacity of ACLU-HI members, supporters, and activists to become strong leaders, advocates, and messengers for protecting civil liberties and civil rights here in Hawaii.
-Public Education and Communication
Develop written and multi-media content materials to conduct community wide training and education on current issues or campaigns.
Organize and maintain distribution lists and databases for public engagement through ACLU-HI’s digital tools and communications platforms.
Maintain and enhance ACLU-HI’s digital tools, including but not limited to, its websites, social media platforms, and newsletters for use in public education and base building.
- Coalition and community advocacy movement-building
Build coalition and community advocacy by developing relationships with allies and other groups who share in the objectives of the ACLU-HI.
Develop opportunities for allies to take action in support of ACLU-HI issues or campaigns.
Provide support to current ACLU-HI coalitions and attend meetings when necessary.
Other Job Functions
Provide management of interns and volunteers as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Community Engagement.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. If you are excited about the position but unsure that you are qualified, we encourage you to apply.
Commitment to community and understanding of how to advance justice.
Knowledge and experience using Microsoft tools, Canva, Zoom, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and WordPress, and other organizing software tools.
At least (2) years of organizing experience (including paid or volunteer or school-related activism) in community engagement/field organizing, or campaign base building.
Excellent communication skills, both written advocacy and oral public speaking.
Experience with canvassing, phone banking, and working with volunteers on outreach.
Ability to engage communities with diverse backgrounds, knowledge bases or strategic priorities, including ACLU-HI supporters, volunteers, and coalition partners and community groups, with enthusiasm, professionalism, empathy and respect.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills and experience working with partners to achieve common goals, build trust, share responsibility, and navigate conflict.
Extremely strong project and time management skills, including developing and adhering to timelines and deadlines, tracking progress on goals, and prioritizing responsibilities.
An absolute commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Working knowledge of Hawaii’s political, social, and cultural landscapes.
Familiarity with the ACLU’s work and impact, both statewide and nationally.
Commitment to social change through building power for marginalized communities.
A positive, professional attitude with sound judgment, flexibility, determination, and humor in a fast-paced, sometimes high-pressure office.
Working Conditions
- Exempt employees should be reachable Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a minimum of three days a week in-office with option of two days a week remotely.
- The following physical demands and work environment conditions represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:
o Input information into a computer for long periods of time
o Periodically work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
o Travel across the state of Hawaii as needed
Benefits
- Time-Off:
o Fellows receive 14 days off for holidays, 5 floating holidays per calendar year, and 18 paid-time-off days.
- Insurance
o 100% paid employer-provided health insurance (medical, dental, drug and vision); long-term disability; and a defined contribution plan with employer match.
- Family & Medical Leave
o 16-weeks of paid time-off per eligibility year to care for a newborn child, adopted child, or parent with medical needs, as defined by the relevant policy.
- Professional Development
o One paid opportunity (covering travel, food, and accommodations) to participate in an approved professional development convening off-island, budget permitting
o Access to ACLU nationwide resources, tools, and colleagues for enhanced learning
o Frequent in-office trainings around civil rights, as well as work-life balance, topics
o Access to unlimited preapproved in-studio somatic healing and mindfulness courses
o Annual membership to CALM app – an ACLU national benefit, subject to change
How to Apply
- Email these materials to jobs@acluhawaii.org by March 25, 2026. Include “Community Field Fellow” in the subject line:
1. Cover Letter (maximum: 2 pages)
a. How do your experience and skills qualify you for this position?
b. Why are you interested in working at the ACLU of Hawaii?
2. Resume or CV (maximum: 2 pages)
3. Two Writing Samples (maximum: 10 pages each)
4. Three References (two must be former supervisors)
a. For each, include: name, job title, direct phone number, and email address
ACLU-HI undertakes inclusive strategies in its recruitment efforts to ensure persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact hr@acluhawaii.org.
The ACLU of Hawai‘i is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to: ethnicity; race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; ancestry; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; gender identity or expression; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.
Requirements
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. If you are excited about the position but unsure that you are qualified, we encourage you to apply.
Commitment to community and understanding of how to advance justice.
Knowledge and experience using Microsoft tools, Canva, Zoom, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and WordPress, and other organizing software tools.
At least (2) years of organizing experience (including paid or volunteer or school-related activism) in community engagement/field organizing, or campaign base building.
Excellent communication skills, both written advocacy and oral public speaking.
Experience with canvassing, phone banking, and working with volunteers on outreach.
Ability to engage communities with diverse backgrounds, knowledge bases or strategic priorities, including ACLU-HI supporters, volunteers, and coalition partners and community groups, with enthusiasm, professionalism, empathy and respect.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills and experience working with partners to achieve common goals, build trust, share responsibility, and navigate conflict.
Extremely strong project and time management skills, including developing and adhering to timelines and deadlines, tracking progress on goals, and prioritizing responsibilities.
An absolute commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Working knowledge of Hawaii’s political, social, and cultural landscapes.
Familiarity with the ACLU’s work and impact, both statewide and nationally.
Commitment to social change through building power for marginalized communities.
A positive, professional attitude with sound judgment, flexibility, determination, and humor in a fast-paced, sometimes high-pressure office.
