BACKGROUND
The ACLU of Northern California works to preserve and guarantee the protections of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
We aim to extend these freedoms to segments of our population who have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor.
The largest of the ACLU's 53 affiliates nationwide, the ACLU-NC is located in San Francisco, just blocks from the site of the 1934 General Strike, which gave birth to our organization. Today, the ACLU-NC has over 55,000 members, 50 staff, and 16 volunteer-run chapters across the region. ACLU-NC civil liberties issues include government surveillance, the death penalty, racial justice, gay and lesbian rights, police practices, religious freedom, criminal justice, free speech, reproductive rights, technology, and youth rights.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
You can play a crucial role in our mission by interning as a civil liberties counselor. The ACLU gets a large number of its cases, some of which lead to landmark decisions, from individuals who call our intake line. The civil liberties counselor then assesses each call and either provides referrals or meets with the staff attorneys to present unique cases.
As a civil liberties counselor, you will:
- Review ACLU updates and news before each shift;
- Analyze and screen calls from the general public for complaints that contain civil liberties issues and, when necessary, present them to our staff attorneys;
- Write brief memorandums outlining unique issues and present them during staff meetings; and
- Follow-up with callers with information and referral services provided on your own, or after consultation with the staff attorneys.
QUALIFICATIONS
- College Student (3rd and 4th years preferred). College graduates also welcome.
- Strong commitment to the protection of civil liberties and a desire to help those who contact the ACLU.
- Knowledge of current ACLU polices, issues, and cases.
- Ability to identify possible civil liberties issues within many other issues.
- Ability to synthesize information concisely in memo format and in meetings.
- Enjoy working with the general public.
- Knowledge of basic counseling and interviewing techniques.
- A minimum semester (appx. five month) commitment of one day a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Individuals with bilingual skills are especially encouraged to apply.
