American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico Foundation

Position Announcement: Administrative Assistant (part time)

 
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a national public interest organization, is the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation’s Bill of Rights.  The ACLU of New Mexico, a private, non-profit organization, is the state’s guardian of freedom that works to promote and defend civil liberties in New Mexico.  To achieve our mission, we manage legal, legislative and public education programs on a broad range of constitutional issues including discrimination, free speech, religious freedom, reproductive rights, GLBT rights, and privacy.  The ACLU of New Mexico has offices in Albuquerque and Las Cruces.  It has 5,700 members and an annual budget of $1.5 million.  Our staff includes seventeen employees.  To learn more about the work of the ACLU and the civil liberties principles we uphold, please visit www.aclu-nm.org.
 
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
 
Position Overview
The Administrative Assistant for ACLU-NM’s Regional Center for Border Rights (RCBR), provides administrative support to RCBR staff and helps facilitate smooth operations of the office. Based in Las Cruces and reporting to the RCBR Director, the assistant will be responsible for ensuring the smooth daily operations of the RCBR office, this includes providing administrative support, maintaining office equipment, handling correspondence and complaint intake, and translating documents from English to Spanish. This is a part-time, 20 hours a week, position.
 
Under the direction of the RCBR director, the principal job responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant include, but are not limited to:
 
Office Operations

• Ensure an organized and efficient office environment.
• Work with Albuquerque staff on financial administration for the RCBR, which includes procurement of bids for services, processing employee expense reimbursements and credit card payments, and to ensure timely payment as well as renewal of service contracts.
• Maintain and organize inventory of office supplies and educational materials.
• Ensure office equipment is maintained and working properly including computers, computer network, internet service, printers, copier and phone system. Manage equipment inventory list and facilitate the disposal of surplus equipment.
• Organize and maintain office-wide filing and record-keeping systems, including electronic files. Ensure compliance with records retention and confidentiality guidelines.
• Provide general office support, i.e., pick up and distribute mail, order postage stamps, mail packages/letters; order business cards and office and cleaning supplies; route incoming calls, record up-to-date voice mail messages, and  receive  office visitors
• Work with landlord to ensure regular maintenance and special repairs of facilities

 
 
Administrative Support

• Listen to and respond to voice mails to seek clarification; mail complaint intake forms;
• Provide administrative support to RCBR staff for program activities, such as making travel and meeting arrangements for RCBR staff, including lodging, flight and car rental arrangements.
• Translate documents from English to Spanish and vice-a-versa.
• Respond to requests in Spanish that RCBR receives through web site, and update information about the RCBR on the ACLU-NM web site  in English and Spanish
• Assist with compiling information for grant and board reports
• Assist with meeting logistics, take minutes at RCBR meetings maintain office calendar of events.
• Input cases into online documentation system.
• Help with RCBR new employee orientation including providing policies and forms.
• Provide other administrative support as assigned.

 
Qualifications

• Commitment to ACLU mission; understanding of basic civil liberties issues and current affairs a plus.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance, and able to work with diverse individuals.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of administrative support experience in a professional environment.
• Fluent in English and Spanish, both written and spoken. Translation and editing skills, a plus.
• Proficiency and advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Microsoft Access and/or other database programs. Familiarity with web content software programs a plus.
• Strong office skills that include maintaining organizational systems and practices to support a high-performing office environment. Experience troubleshooting and maintaining office equipment a plus.
• Detail oriented with excellent organization and time management skills.
• A confident and professional work style, with initiative and strong problem solving skills.
• Able to work independently and work well with others. Mature and self-motivated, organized and able to set priorities and handle multiple tasks in a busy work environment.
• Good typing and grammar skills in English and Spanish, as well as professional telephone manner.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable car is necessary for travel in Las Cruces.
• Be available for occasional after-hours and weekend events.

 
Compensation and Benefits
Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, 401k plan, and generous paid holidays.
 
To Apply
Send a letter of application and resume to: [email protected] or mail to P.O. Box 566, Albuquerque, NM 87103. Applications accepted until position is filled, preference will be given to applications received by October 7, 2013.  Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this job listing.
 

The ACLU of New Mexico comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and the ACLU Foundation of New Mexico; both have the same overall mission, and share office space and employees.

New Mexico Supreme Court Rules that the Guild Cinema’s Erotic Film Festival Did Not Violate City Zoning Law

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the by hosting ‘Pornotopia,’ a two-day erotic film festival, Guild Cinema did not violate city zoning laws regarding so-called ‘adult amusement establishments.’ The Supreme Court’s ruling overturns the rulings of two lower courts. Although the ACLU of New Mexico, also brought First Amendment Free Speech claims, the court chose to rule narrowly on the zoning issue and did not reach the constitutional questions raised by the ACLU of New Mexico’s suit.

“We are tremendously pleased that the Supreme Court overturned the lower courts’ ruling against the Guild Cinema today,” said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson. “Common sense dictates that hosting one erotic film festival does not make the Guild Cinema an ‘adult amusement establishment,’ any more than a club that plays jazz music one night out of the year is a ‘jazz club.’”

The ACLU of New Mexico originally filed the suit on behalf of the Guild Cinema in 2008, after two zoning enforcement inspectors from the city cited the theater for “operating as an adult amusement establishment” in an area not zoned for adult entertainment. The Guild was convicted of this zoning violation in Albuquerque Metropolitan Court, and the conviction was upheld in State District Court.

Today, the Supreme Court overturned the lower courts’ rulings concluding:

Because the Guild engaged in only occasional showings of adult films, the Guild is not an adult amusement establishment as defined in the Albuquerque Code of Ordinances, and the zoning rules governing adult amusement establishments are inapplicable to it. Wetherefore reverse the Court of Appeals and vacate the Guild’s conviction.

“This is a significant victory for free speech in Albuquerque,” said ACLU-NM Legal Director Laura Schauer Ives. “In essence, the court has said that the city cannot limit speech, even speech it doesn’t like, without actual justification.”

The Nob Hill Business Association described the Guild’s erotic film festival as “a success, not only in driving [customer] traffic to the area, but also in the quality and caliber of those customers.” The Association specifically noted that there were “almost no negative comments” and that it hoped the film festival would continue to present the festival. Several local business owners stated that the festival had positive effects on the neighborhood, including increased sales and broader public awareness of the businesses in the area. The festival did not cause any crime or other negative effects in the neighborhood.

“I am thrilled with today’s Supreme Court ruling,” said Guild Cinema co-owner Keif Henley. “This ruling guarantees that our theater can show an occasional adult-themed film without being charged criminally.”

Read the Supreme Court’s full decision here.

ACLU-NM Legal Director Laura Schauer Ives represented the plaintiff in this case.

 

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M—Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued an order setting a hearing for October 23, 2013 to consider a request by the New Mexico Association of Counties that the court immediately decide whether New Mexico law permits same-sex couples to marry. All 33 county clerks in the state joined in the Association’s request that the Supreme Court resolve the issue.

The counties’ request to the Supreme Court was filed in response to a case brought by six same-sex couples represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM), the national ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and local attorneys. On September 3, Judge Alan Mallot of the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque issued a declaratory judgment against all 33 county clerks, ruling that the New Mexico Constitution requires issuance of marriage licenses to otherwise-qualified same-sex couples.  The counties requested the Supreme Court to immediately review Judge Mallot’s order in order to resolve several pending cases around the state concerning the issue of marriage for same-sex couples.
Today’s order by the Supreme Court invited the six plaintiff couples to respond to the counties’ request by September 23 and to appear at oral argument October 23. The couples will argue that the Court should accept the counties’ request and immediately extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples statewide.

Statement by ACLU of New Mexico Executive Director Peter Simonson:

“We welcome the Supreme Court’s order and hope that it will lead to a speedy decision establishing the freedom to marry for all same-sex couples in New Mexico.  Now is the time for New Mexico to treat same-sex couples with the same dignity and respect as all other couples and fully respect their lifelong commitments to each other and their families. We look forward to presenting the strongest possible arguments on behalf of our clients and all New Mexico same-sex couples.  We thank the Association of Counties for asking the Supreme Court to resolve these crucial issues immediately.”   

Said NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter, Esq.:

“Every New Mexico court that has considered the issue has concluded that New Mexico law requires that same-sex couples have the same freedom to marry as others and deserve equal protection under the law. We are grateful to the New Mexico Supreme Court for recognizing the importance of this issue and putting the case on a fast track.  We look forward to the day when all families are treated with equal dignity and respect, and all children grow up in a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have the same legal protections and freedoms as others.”

In addition to the ACLU of New Mexico, the national ACLU, and NCLR, the six same-sex couples are represented by the Sutin Law Firm, and Albuquerque attorneys Maureen Sanders, Kate Girard, and Lynn Perls.