The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) seeks a part time Administrative Assistant to join its Administrative Department. Working 16 hours a week, the specialist will be responsible for general support of the ACLU-NJ’s busy Administrative Department, which comprises our Finance, HR and office management team, as well as other office duties as needed. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic contributor who works to strengthen our administrative functions, while building efficiencies and processes where needed.
This position reports to the Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer and is expected to be in the physical office on Tuesday and Wednesday each week starting at 9:00 am.
Overview
For over 60 years, the ACLU-NJ has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and extend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every New Jerseyan by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities.
In every facet of our work, we strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice in the institutions of New Jersey, for the people of New Jersey. We aim to center the voices and lived experiences of those who historically have not been fully protected by government systems or laws.
Founded in 1960 and based in Newark, we are a non-partisan organization that operates on several fronts — political, legal, cultural — to bring about systemic change and build a more equitable society. You can learn more about our strategic approach here.
The ACLU-NJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail rbeck@aclu-nj.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide administrative and clerical support (e.g., copying, scanning, filing, expense reporting) for the Administrative Department.
- Maintain files and databases, ensuring that records are accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized at all times.
- Greet the public and receive packages and deliveries.
- Run office errands, as needed.
- Maintain inventory of office and kitchen supplies.
- Ensure that the copy machines are loaded with paper and the toner levels are adequate.
- Ensure that the kitchen is clean and orderly.
- Ensure that the conference rooms are orderly and stocked with supplies.
- Process incoming and outgoing mail as needed.
- Assist with appointment scheduling, mailings and other special projects.
- Attend departmental and issue-oriented meetings, as appropriate.
- Other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
- Creative, diplomatic, cool under pressure, and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work inclusively across diverse dimensions.
- Detail-oriented with ability to plan, organize, prioritize, track progress, and meet goals.
- Flexibility and willingness to learn new tools, technology, and resources.
- Ability to jump from task to task regularly and easily, prioritize, stay organized, and complete assignments efficiently.
- Unwavering commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU, including a demonstrated commitment to equity and racial justice.
Essential Skills
- Previous experience in an administrative role
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 office suite.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing.
- Ability to work independently.
To Apply
If you’re excited about bringing your talents and skills to the ACLU-NJ, complete the application and upload a resume and a short letter of interest here. Your letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.
Application materials will also be accepted via postal mail (P.O. Box 32159, Newark, NJ 07102), but electronic filing is strongly preferred. We will accept applications until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website. We hope that one of those applications is yours.
The ACLU makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.
The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email careers@aclu-nj.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.
Compensation
This position pays $30 per hour.
The ACLU-NJ is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization, dedicated to defending and enhancing civil rights and civil liberties through litigation, legislative advocacy, organizing, and community education.
The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture of belonging. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to 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. The more inclusive we are, the better we are.