Job Details

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai?i ("ACLU-HI") works to dismantle systemic injustice and protect civil liberties for all through legal, political, and educational efforts. The

Executive Fellowship

was created to honor the legacy of Marianita Lopez, a remarkable woman of color trailblazer who has served the ACLU-HI Board for nearly 20 years. This one-year fellowship will allow a self-motivated, detailed-oriented, attorney or business professional from a diverse background to gain hands-on experience in legal leadership and executive management, while playing a key role in our fight to protect civil rights in Hawai?i.

Position Overview

Title: Executive Fellow

Term: 1 year

Location: Honolulu, Hawai?i

Deadline to Apply: March 25, 2026; applications accepted until the role is filled

Start Date: May 18, 2026 (exact date negotiable)

Supervision: Reports to the Executive Director

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Salary: $65,000 USD

Essential Job Functions

Leadership

· Carryout special projects; conduct cutting-edge research for the Executive Director ("ED")

· Build innovative strategies to expand the ACLU-HI's impact across Hawai'i and nationally

· Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with ACLU-HI staff, board members, volunteers, donors, stakeholders, and community partners on behalf of the Executive team

· Identify and implement innovative solutions to streamline Staff and Board operations

· Coordinate logistics for leadership meetings, team-building events, and special initiatives

· Ensure all ACLU-HI content is of excellent quality, on-brand, and consistent in style

· Monitor and uphold the organization's compliance with numerous nonprofit regulations

Administrative Support

· Help manage the ED's calender by scheduling meetings, tracking Staff & Board deadlines

· Record meeting minutes; prepare materials such as reports, presentations, and agendas

· Act as a liaison to coordinate written communications between the ED, Board, and Staff

· Assist in drafting, researching, and editing speaking points and documents for the ED

· Fulfill all and any other duties "as assigned" by the Executive Director, in a timely manner

Office Organization

· Design and run logistics for inner-office activities that help build the ACLU-HI culture

· Organize boxes of storage materials and help build an archival library for ACLU-HI

· Maintain and organize documents and contact lists using a consistent and logical system

· File, review, and triage the ED's confidential communications with the utmost discretion

· Provide logistical support between departments; soliciting feedback for All-Staff agendas

Other Job Functions

· Keep the mission of the ACLU-HI at the center of all actions and operations

· Mobilize supporters to engage, take action, and become an ACLU-HI volunteer or member

· Think creatively, strategically, and openly about how our organization can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into our day-to-day operations

· Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful work environment for all staff members

Required Qualifications

· Juris Doctor (JD) and/or a Master of Business Administration (MBA), earned by 2026

· Administrative experience in a firm, nonprofit organization, or fellowship program

· Proficiency in all Microsoft Office tools, legal research tools, and design software

· Exceptional written and spoken communication skills, including strong proofreading skills

· Strong attention to detail, precision, accuracy, and clarity; an ability to spot issues

· Excellent interpersonal skills: positive and collaborative; adherence to ACLU-HI values, forthrightness, accountability, teamwork, and creativity; ability to manage stress well

· Ability to anticipate needs and plan accordingly, problem-solve, coordinate complex activities, communicate concisely, prioritize multiple demands, and meet deadlines

· Self-motivated and independent work ethic; ability to collaborate with and contribute effectively to a team environment while producing high-quality, error-free work

· Adaptability and willingness to learn, embracing critical feedback from management

Additional Qualifications

· Working knowledge of Hawaii's political, social, and cultural landscapes

· Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, civil liberties, and the ACLU-HI mission

· Awareness of one's cultural identity; ability to accept people with varying cultural norms

Working Conditions

• Exempt employees should generally be available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a minimum of three days a week in-office and the option to work two days per week remotely

• The following physical demands and work environment conditions represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

o Input information into a computer for long periods of time

o Periodically work extended hours, including on evenings, weekends, and holidays

o Travel within Oahu and to outer islands as needed

Benefits

• Time-Off:

o Fellows receive 14 official holidays, 5 floating holidays, and 18 paid-time-off days

• Insurance

o 100% paid employer-provided health insurance (medical, dental, drug and vision); long-term disability; and a defined contribution plan with employer match

• Family & Medical Leave

o 16-weeks of paid time-off per eligibility year to care for a newborn child, adopted child, or parent with medical needs, as defined by the relevant policy

• Professional Development

o One paid opportunity (covering travel, food, and accommodations) to participate in an approved professional development convening off-island, budget permitting

o Access to ACLU nationwide resources, tools, and colleagues for enhanced learning

o Frequent in-office trainings around civil rights, as well as work-life balance, topics

o Access to unlimited preapproved in-studio somatic healing and mindfulness courses

o Annual membership to CALM app – an ACLU national benefit, subject to change

How to Apply

• Email these materials to

...@acluhawaii.org by

March 25, 2026

. Include "

Executive Fellowship Application

" in the subject line:

1. Cover Letter (maximum: 2 pages)

a. How do your experience and skills qualify you for this position?

b. Why are you interested in working at the ACLU of Hawai?i?

1. Resume or CV (maximum: 5 pages, inclusive of a publication list)

1. Transcript

1. Two Writing Samples (maximum: 10 pages; one should be a memo)

1. Three References (two must be former supervisors)

a. For each, include: name, job title, direct phone number, and email address

ACLU-HI undertakes inclusive strategies in its recruitment efforts to assure persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact ...@acluhawaii.org.

• The ACLU of Hawai'i is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to: ethnicity; 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.