Program Coordinator
2 days ago
Oakland
Job Description:\n\nSalary: $31.25-$36.06 Program Coordinator ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS OAKLAND, CA ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities. For 30 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestmentmoving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs. Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops. The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities, instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm. OUR VALUES At Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values: 1. Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons 2. Accountability 3. Black Liberation 4. Interconnection 5. Transformation 6. Culture of Care and Healing 7. Self-Determination The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal legal system: working-class people of color. Our primary aspiration is Black liberation, as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback, communicating directly, and building a culture of restorative justice. We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world, but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves and each other. Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with. Inherent in collective liberation work, we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy, and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships. Our values mean we are building a leaderful movement with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power. POSITION SUMMARY The Program Coordinator is a multifaceted role assisting with the administration, coordination, and communication that upholds our ability to support currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families. This position contributes meaningfully to EBCs organizing against policing and prisons, making it a great fit for someone looking to sharpen their inside/outside organizing skills and relationships toward the liberation of imprisoned people. The person filling this position will facilitate and refine systems that ensure EBCs members, interns, and staff can effectively participate in our growing Prison Mail Program, which distributes physical and digital resources to incarcerated individuals and their loved ones to assist them in their self advocacy. They will be responsible for supporting the Prison Mail Program, including working with the Prison Advocacy Manager and Staff Attorney to update resources, policy information, newsletters, and other multilingual materials. The ideal candidate is bright, proactive, and highly organized, with excellent attention to detail, and is enthusiastic about handling mail, correspondence, and administrative work as a critical part of supporting effective advocacy. The Program Coordinator will work closely with the Prison Advocacy Manager, Staff Attorney, and other relevant staff to develop EBCs pathways to freedom and advocacy support, which includes responding to questions from people with incarcerated loved ones via email, phone calls, direct mail, and in-person consultations. Additionally, they will participate in EBCs Inside/Outside Policy Fellowship, including freedom advocacy efforts that support Inside Policy Fellows and alumni. PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Prison Mail Program Create, update, and maintain systems to support the Program Teams participation in the Prison Mail Program - answering questions, directing calls, responding to voicemails, messages, and emails, and forwarding them to relevant staff. Organize systems that support EBC staff, members, and volunteers in communicating with currently incarcerated community members through the messaging app and phone calls from inside prison via Securus. Build and coordinate relationships with Ella Baker Center members, community leaders, allies, currently incarcerated people, community members with loved ones inside, and formerly incarcerated people to execute the Prison Mail program effectively. Bottom-line coordination of Prison Mail Night for EBC members and volunteers. Co-lead mail and email response facilitation alongside the Prison Advocacy Manager and the Staff Attorney. Support the maintenance of our Salesforce database of incarcerated community members and their loved ones and overall data management system for the Prison Mail Program, as led by the Prison Advocacy Manager, Staff Attorney, and data management experts. Partner with the Staff Attorney to co-lead development of multilingual resources and oversee translation of EBC materials to ensure meaningful access for diverse communities and to advance the Program Teams commitment to language justice. Collaborate with the Prison Advocacy Manager and Staff Attorney to scale EBC's Prison Mail Program strategy, including program evaluation, systems development, and impact measurement. Provide administrative support for our currently incarcerated community members and families, including: Printing, scanning, and managing incoming and outgoing mail & other needs for our prison mail night and advocacy program. Organizing mass mailings, including the end-of-year Holiday Mailings, toolkit mailings, and major newsletter updates. Inside/Outside Policy Fellowship & EBCs inside/outside organizing practices Assist the program lead in the recruitment, application, and interview process for Inside and Outside Fellow Candidates. Support the development of materials as resources for future Inside/Outside Fellows and the broader movement on the fellowship program model. Coordinate resources for Inside Policy Fellows and Alumni and participate in coalition meetings as needed. Be an active member of the freedom support team for Inside Policy Fellows and Inside Policy Fellow Alumni. Coordinate invoicing and billing with Finance, including for quarterly packages for Inside Fellows and Alumni, and donations to support inside events led by Fellows and Alumni. Schedule and organize in-prison pathways to freedom trainings. EBCs Community Engagement Act as a liaison for the Ella Baker Center to various allies and organizations, such as labor, faith, and criminal justice-related non-profits, and other youth and family organizations as necessary. Act as a representative for the Ella Baker Center in coalitions and memberships and attend relevant conferences, meetings, and trainings. Communicate and collaborate with the EBC Communications team as necessary. Collaborate with departments to support volunteers and interns to advance campaigns and initiatives. Programs & Organization-wide Strategic Visioning & Implementation Participate in requisite Ella Baker Center activities (i.e., staff meetings, training, fundraising, administrative responsibilities, events) as necessary. Assist in administrative tasks as needed for the Program department (i.e., scheduling meetings, updating processes, etc.). REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS Proven commitment to social and racial justice. Be located or relocate to the Bay Area. High School Diploma or GED required. Jailhouse Lawyers, or individuals with lived experience who support others in navigating the California criminal system, are strongly encouraged to apply. 1 or more years experience in racial, criminal, and/or economic justice campaign work. 1 or more years experience in event and/or conference planning. Understanding of the broader Prison Industrial Complex as well as Californias juvenile and criminal justice systems, including key issues and policies. Comfortable and skilled at communicating with a wide, diverse audience, including Black and Brown communities, incarcerated people and their loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people with low or no incomes, and movement partners. Experience with office management, mass mailings, answering calls, ordering supplies, and operating a copy machine, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work to meet deadlines. Familiar with virtual administrative & productivity tools such as Google Drive, Zoom, Salesforce, Expensify, BOX, etc. & calendar scheduling is a plus. Experience with Global TelLink, the Getting Out App, GoVisits, access Securepak, JPay & other CDCR-approved vendors is a plus. Ability to work effectively as part of a team; communicate clearly through email, phone, and in-person; and foster positive working relationships across the organization. Bilingual in Spanish and English is a PLUS. Open to learning and commitment to using 2SLGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP This is an hourly non-exempt, full-time bargaining unit position, represented by CWA Local 9415. Employees are expected to be in person 2-3 days a week at the Oakland office. There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, on weekends, and participate in outward facing community events. The Program Coordinator reports to the Prison Advocacy Manager. This position is a non-supervisory role. SALARY AND BENEFITS Compensation Range: $31.25 to $36.06 an hour as designated by professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401k program. We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins on the 1st of the month, after the date of hire. HOW TO APPLY Ella Baker Website Careers Tab: Submit the following application materials: Resume or summary of relevant experience. A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position. HEALTH & SAFETY The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights encourages vaccinations to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. There may be circumstances, such as public health guidance updates, known workplace exposures, or specific events, when employees are requested to participate in COVID-19 testing or wear a face covering while working in the building or attending EBC-sponsored gatherings. The organization fully supports and respects the decision of any staff member who chooses to wear a mask while in the building or at work-related events. Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if vaccination, testing, or face covering requests conflict with a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Staff who believe they may need an accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources. EVERYONE WELCOME The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and justice-centered workplace. We believe that building a broad, diverse movement is essential to lasting change and centering the leadership and experiences of those most impacted by the criminal legal system. We strongly encourage applications from people of color; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system; and those with loved ones currently or formerly impacted. We welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds and recognize that leadership is developed in many spaces, not only through formal credentials. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people as part of our commitment to equity and liberation. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to, race (including traits like hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion (including dress or grooming practices), sex, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, national origin, age (40+), disability, medical or genetic conditions, marital or domestic partner status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by federal, California, or local law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. If you are wondering whether you are qualified to apply, we encourage you to do so! START DATE Spring 2026 Nothing in this job description restricts the Ella Baker Centers right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employment with the Ella Baker Center is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in compliance with California law.