The Center for Independent Living (CIL), founded in Berkeley as the nation’s first independent living center, is a pioneer of the disability rights and independent living movement. Our radical legacy is rooted in peer-led advocacy, cross-disability solidarity, and the belief that all people with disabilities have the right to live with dignity, choice, and freedom. Today, CIL provides advocacy and direct services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the broader community. Our programs equip people with skills, knowledge, and resources to challenge ableism, eliminate barriers, and pursue lives they value.

The Executive Assistant, Operations & Communications, plays a key role in coordinating operations, programs, and communications at the Center for Independent Living (CIL). This position provides high-level administrative and coordination support to ensure strong internal alignment, clear communication, and effective execution of organizational priorities.

This role requires strong written and interpersonal communication skills and regularly collaborates with staff, leadership, community partners, volunteers, and external stakeholders. The Executive Assistant supports internal messaging, organizational communications, and cross-team coordination to help maintain clarity, consistency, and efficiency across the organization.

Working closely with the Operations Director and Programs Director, this position supports coordination across departments while also collaborating with leadership, including Finance and Development. This role is well-suited for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a mission-driven environment.

Core Responsibilities

Executive Support & Organizational Coordination

• Provide high-level administrative and coordination support to leadership
• Manage complex scheduling, calendars, and internal/external meetings
• Coordinate cross-departmental communication and track follow-ups and action items
• Support hiring, onboarding, and internal operational processes
• Assist with special projects and organization-wide initiatives

Programs, Volunteers & Interns

• Coordinate onboarding and scheduling for staff, interns, and volunteers
• Support program coordination, outreach, and administrative needs across departments
• Assist with advocacy initiatives, community engagement, and accessibility-related activities
• Help coordinate workshops, outreach events, trainings, and community meetings 

Communications & Events

• Draft and support internal and external communications
• Assist with website updates, social media, and communications content
• Assist with communications related to advocacy efforts, programs, and community initiatives
• Support storytelling, newsletters, outreach messaging, and organizational updates
• Support planning and execution of events, trainings, and webinars 

Additional Responsibilities

• Support additional operational, communications, or coordination needs as assigned by the Operations Director or Programs Director to help ensure effective collaboration and organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

Experience

• 2–4 years of experience in administrative coordination, executive support, operations, communications, or related fields
• Experience supporting leadership teams or coordinating organizational projects preferred
• Experience working in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations preferred

Skills

• Strong written communication and editing skills
• Strong interpersonal communication and relationship-building abilities
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
• Ability to coordinate across multiple teams and priorities
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Proficiency with workplace tools such as Google Workspace, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Notion, Monday, WordPress, or similar platforms

Key Competencies

• Strong organizational coordination and systems thinking
• Professional communication and messaging ability
• Attention to detail and reliability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and disability justice values

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

A NOTE TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES:

Studies have shown that BIPOC and other people from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications described in the job description. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse work experiences and backgrounds. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in this position, and what you hope to bring to this role.

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HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in joining CIL’s team, please submit the following application materials:

• Resume
• Responses to application question

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All job offers are contingent on passing a pre-employment background check.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Hiring team at hiring (@) thecil.org.

CIL Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

CIL is an E-Verify participating employer.