The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) was formed in 1937 as the country’s first integrated national bar association. The NLG is dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.
The Chicago Guild is hiring a part-time Director of Operations. We are looking for an organized and dedicated advocate who can support the Guild’s critical work providing legal support to Chicago’s social justice movements. The person who fills this position will be tasked with managing day-to-day operations and supporting continued capacity-building efforts alongside the efforts of NLG Chicago’s Board. Our ideal candidate would bring experience and enthusiasm for providing administrative and logistical support to projects and organizations, along with a deep knowledge of movement work in the Metro Chicago area, and current issues regarding state repression of Chicago’s contemporary social movements. Legal experience is not required for this position.
This position requires someone who is self-directed and can work independently; the Director of Operations will report directly to the Board of Directors.This position will be scheduled for 10 hours a week at $20.00/hour, with a $4.25 hourly health and wellness benefit, and will include 36 hours of paid sick leave and 72 hours of paid time off each year. The Director of Operations position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement with National Organization of Legal Services Workers, United Auto Workers Local 2320.
This position includes the following duties:
- Providing administrative and logistical support to members of the NLG Chicago Board, including scheduling Board meetings, logistically coordinating the annual election process, and coordinating Board input on day-to-day chapter decision making.
- Performing office administrative duties, including responding to phone calls, email, and receiving postal mail in the Guild Office (located in downtown Chicago)
- Coordinating and facilitating chapter wide events with the support of the NLG Chicago Board, including NLG Chicago’s annual fall fundraising dinner and spring May Day party
- Providing administrative support for Board efforts regarding fundraising and pursuing grant opportunities and coordinating finances and operations needs with the Board Treasurer
- Coordinating external promotions of Guild activities on the chapter website, email list, and social media
- Producing and publishing the quarterly Chapter Newsletter
- Supervising occasional office volunteers and interns
- Other duties as assigned
The position will begin as soon as possible and require 10 hours per week, with regular office hours and some flexibility depending on the Chapter activities each month. This position will be a hybrid position with some tasks needing to be completed in the NLG Office. Although most work can be completed remotely, in person tasks do require that the candidate’s residence is in the metro Chicago area.
NLG Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and people from historically marginalized groups and people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please email a resume, cover letter (in the body of the email), and three references, to chicago@nlg.org, with the subject line “NLG Director of Operations Application.”Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom with members of the NLG Chicago Board. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We will ask the Director of Operations to begin work as soon as possible. No phone calls please.
