Senior Policy Counsel

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Senior Policy Counsel in the Policy and Government Affairs, Liberty Division of the National Political Advocacy Department, based in the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C or New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The National Political Advocacy Department (NPAD) works to strengthen the efforts of the ACLU at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The department harnesses the political power that comes from having more than eight million members and supporters, as well as affiliates in every state. By organizing grassroots lobbying and issue campaigns using modern tactics, the ACLU seeks to achieve change as profound in the legislative, administrative and electoral arenas as it has accomplished through the courts. 

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Director, Policy & Government Affairs, Liberty Division, the Senior Policy Counsel will work with national staff and ACLU affiliates to protect and expand reproductive freedom and combat measures that restrict abortion access. The Senior Policy Counsel will provide policy expertise on legislative, administrative, and electoral efforts, primarily at the state and local level, that impact reproductive freedom and access to abortion care.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• As advocate and policy and/or legal expert, identify opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas through multiple methods at the federal, state, and local levels
• Independently develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges
• Develop strategic legislative, administrative, and ballot policy options
• Independently draft bills, administrative rules/regulations, and/or ballot initiatives at the state, local, or federal levels, providing content expertise as well as legislative, regulatory, and ballot drafting knowledge
• Prepare, provide guidance on and/or deliver testimony on pending legislation before Congressional committees or federal regulatory agencies and other legislative or regulatory bodies at the state and local/municipal levels, as relevant 
• Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives
• Coordinate and conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials as pertinent to advancing reproductive freedom as an ACLU position
• Provide legislative counseling, including policy, legislative or legal analysis, strategic planning guidance, and tactical suggestions, to ACLU affiliates to support state and/or local efforts
• Work with ACLU affiliates, as relevant, in advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes
• Oversee state legislative tracking of bills related to reproductive freedom
• Contribute to a resource library for use by national and affiliate staff on reproductive freedom issues
• Collaborate with cross-issue policy team to ensure relationship management, coordination, and alignment of work within the department 
• Help coordinate strategy designed to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes related to reproductive freedom with campaign strategists and organizers in NPAD and across ACLU departments, ACLU affiliates, and coalition partners
• In collaboration with ACLU Communications staff, provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other publications, as relevant 
• Coordinate efforts across the organization including legal staff, communications staff, strategists, and affiliates around the country to keep them abreast of and enlist their support for reproductive freedom policy goals
• Conduct briefings for affiliate and national staff on key reproductive freedom initiatives or developments 
• Participate as the ACLU representative in meetings of standing and ad hoc lobbying, policy, and/or political coalitions
• Organize, lead, and work with outside groups to bolster support for reproductive freedom as an ACLU policy goal and/or to minimize opposition to this goal
• Collaborate with other ACLU national and affiliate staff and coalition partners, as relevant
• May provide senior-level guidance to other policy staff and interns 

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.P.) or substantial equivalent training and experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or campaigns strongly preferred
• Prior lobbying experience strongly preferred
• Significant experience working in political, policy, legal, or government settings; high degree of familiarity with public policy and legislative, administrative and/or electoral processes 
• High level, substantive, and extensive experience in policy analysis and development 
• Demonstrated expertise in reproductive health, rights, and justice or related field
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills 
• Ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues to government decision makers and the general public
• Experience with media and serving as a spokesperson for an issue, campaign, or cause
• Sophisticated judgment; experience giving advice and counsel to a principal
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team 
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, and communication skills, including at the highest levels of government and politics
• Ability to work and communicate quickly and accurately, handling multiple projects and deliverables under pressure 

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.