California Crime Victims for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Position (Part time)

Job Opportunity
Victim Outreach Coordinator for Southern California

California Crime Victims for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CCV) would like to announce a job opening for the position of Victim Outreach Coordinator for Southern California. This will be an independent contractor position requiring approximately 45-60 hours of work per month (12-15 hours/per week). Start date: Jan. 1, 2010.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as primary spokesperson for CCV in Southern California which includes speaking to the public at community forums and events, responding to media inquiries, and representing CCV in a variety of other circumstances as directed by the Program Coordinator.
• Respond to inquiries from new potential supporters as requested by the Program Coordinator, and when appropriate make direct contact with new potential supporters, explain activities of project, determine level of interest, and otherwise welcome them to the project.
• Engage in identifying, empowering and mobilizing potential supporters.
• Build relationships among CCV supporters in Southern California. Encourage friends/family of existing supporters to become involved.
• Build positive relationships with other victims’ groups and victim service providers by attending events and conferences and by arranging one-on-one meetings.
• As requested by Program Coordinator, attend meetings with legislators, members of the legal community, faith leaders, and other community leaders to share information about CCV.
• Assist Program Coordinator with writing and submitting newsletter articles, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
• Meet every two weeks by phone with project team: CCV Program Coordinator, CCV Outreach Coordinator Northern California and project supervisors from Death Penalty Focus, Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation, and the ACLU of Northern California.
• Check in with Program Coordinator by email and/or phone 1-2 times per week (or as needed).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate must be passionate both about advocating for the needs of murder victims’ family members and about ending the use of the death penalty in California, with a demonstrated ability to work independently. Other qualifications include:

• Deep understanding of the needs of murder victims’ family members and commitment to advocating for victims, based on personal or extensive professional experience. Preference may be given to individuals who have lost a loved one(s) to homicide;
• Familiarity with the Los Angeles area or other areas of Southern California;
• Strong leadership skills;
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; public speaking experience preferred;
• Experience in political campaigns, activism, grassroots organizations, and/or lobbying preferred;
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively with a variety of individuals – attorneys, activists, politicians, media, etc.;
• Experience working with a broad and diverse range of constituencies;
• Ability to work well under pressure and independently;
• Energy, enthusiasm, creativity;
• High level of comfort with computers and adapting to new technology;
• Must be based in Southern California and able to travel for speaking engagements and other events (valid driver’s license required). Individuals based in the Los Angeles area are strongly preferred;
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter explaining your experience losing a loved one to homicide or experience working with this population, as well as your interest in ending the death penalty to:

Aarti Kelapure
Program Coordinator
California Crime Victims for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Email: aarti@deathpenalty.org
No calls, please.

COMPENSATION
$30/ hour. This is an independent contractor position based in Southern California. The contract is with Death Penalty Focus (www.deathpenalty.org).

ABOUT CCV
California Crime Victims for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CCV) is a coalition of families, friends, and loved ones of murder victims who oppose the death penalty. The coalition supports families, friends, and loved ones in telling their stories and being heard. CCV educates the public about alternatives to the death penalty and provides information, resources, and support to victims’ families regardless of their views on the death penalty or whether the perpetrator has been apprehended. For more information, please visit www.californiacrimevictims.org.