About the Position
The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland /ACLU Foundation of Maryland seeks an Intake & Investigation Associate with excellent research and writing skills and a commitment to public interest work, who are motivated by service and working with communities toward legal protections and remedies for violations. The Intake & Investigation Associate must expect to regularly and comfortably communicate with people from all racial, gender identities, ethnic, religious, and political identities enjoying varying abilities, ages, orientations and physical presentations. The Intake & Investigation Associate will be trained to distinguish legal violations that run afoul of the rights and liberties we fight to strengthen. The Intake & Investigation Associate combines investigative skill, issue spotting, and person- to-person engagement to record narratives of rights violations, offer relevant referrals, and support Maryland residents in exercising their rights.
This is a full-time position based in Baltimore City.
The ideal candidate will be primarily responsible for reviewing, research, and responding to requests for legal assistance by interviewing potential clients by phone, investigating facts, researching legal issues, and providing general office support. The Intake & Investigation Manager will help the Legal department to execute the ACLU of MD’s strategic objectives and our statewide legal advocacy efforts. The Intake & Investigation Associate will also work closely with our organization’s Public Policy, and Engagement & Mobilization departments, external publics and may also occasionally interface with the ACLU National Office.
Responsibilities:
Works with community volunteers, interns, and others helpers engaged in race equity initiatives and social justice reforms through effective intake and investigation procedures. Applies a race equity lens to all matters of work.
- Reviews designated intake for factual completeness and supplements by investigating public records and consulting the complainant; may conduct preliminary legal research on request of Legal Department staff.
- Maintains and utilizes administrative systems to process intakes as assigned by the Intake & Investigations Manager.
- Routinely staffs the civil rights complaint line twice a week for two hours a week and any additional time necessary to complete call records.
- In addition to processing intake in consultation with the Intake & Investigations Manager, the Intake & Investigation Associate may also have the opportunity to work with attorneys and other legal staff to provide support related to cases and projects.
- Screen intakes in consideration of the ACLU’s mission, legal department priorities, resources, equities, jurisdiction, and other relevant factors.
- Provide intake support for presentation at legal meetings, and attend and present intakes at legal meetings for determination of appropriate next steps.
- Conduct client contact and follow up for intake processing.
- Provide customized responses, relevant referrals, information, and self-advocacy resources where possible.
- Maintain databases to track intakes to completion.
- Work alongside and provide support for student interns and volunteers staffing the complaint line and processing intake.
- Manage several projects simultaneously and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands.
Knowledge and Skills Required:
- Personal commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications.
- A demonstrated commitment to racial equity, dismantling white supremacy and incorporating a structural power analysis. Experience centering race equity in all aspects of organizing. Knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, and socio- economic circumstances.
- Associates degree preferred or a minimum of two years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. While individuals with law degrees are welcome to apply, this is not an attorney position and will not advance into an attorney position.
- Experience working in a legal or nonprofit setting preferred.
- Excellent interviewing or assessment skills with the confidence to ask tough questions and the empathy to understand hardship.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to use professional judgment, and practice patience.
- Spanish language proficiency a plus.
- Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, database software, and internet research skills.
- Creative, self-starting, willingness to learn, Ability to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities with deliberate time management skills and the ability to work under pressure.
- Superb organizational skills; detail-oriented with strong follow through to complete assignments.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position is a non-management position and does not encompass supervisory responsibility.
Compensation and Benefits: Salary is $61,000.00. Excellent benefits include two weeks paid vacation (increasing to four weeks after six years); 10 paid office holidays; 12 paid sick days, 3 personal days telework and flex-time, generous medical insurance including two health, dental and vision insurance options for staff members, their dependents and spouse/domestic partner; flexible spending accounts employee assistance plan; six weeks of paid medical leave, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan with employer match, free on-site parking, additional commuter benefits with access to commuter rail station. Direct exposure to cutting-edge civil liberties and civil rights work. This is a position is in the bargaining unit represented by OPEIU Local 2 and is non-exempt and therefore covered by the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Deadline/Start Date: The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.
To Apply: We encourage all applicants committed to racial and social justice to join our Team. We strongly encourage people with incarcerated loved ones, people who are formerly incarcerated, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and people who are LGBTQ+ to apply.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a short (no longer than 5 pages) writing sample at this website: https://aclumaryland.applytojob.com/apply/VYvtWAXiD9/Intake-Investigatio.... For alternate methods to apply please email [email protected]. We discourage applicants from applying through third party websites. Early applications are strongly encouraged. It will not be possible for us to respond to telephone or email inquiries.
Resumes or applications sent via other avenues will not be considered. About the ACLU of Maryland
The ACLU of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals 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. Persons with disabilities may request accommodations, including any accommodations needed in the application process.
The ACLU of Maryland is a non-partisan, non-profit public interest organization devoted to protecting civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of MD is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a key defender of civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The ACLU works in the courts, legislature and in communities to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and civil rights laws. The ACLU of Maryland is committed to centering race equity in our work, internally and externally, in order to better support and be accountable to communities of color, whose civil rights and civil liberties are systematically threatened by white supremacy.