State Policy Counsel, Policy & Government Affairs

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time, three-year, term-limited position of State Policy Counsel in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. This is a three-year term-limited position and may be eligible for remote work in the United States.

The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across freedom of speech, privacy, Reproductive Freedom, Democracy and Voting Rights, Systemic Equality, Immigration, Trans Justice, Criminal Justice and other core issues in order to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and advance the freedom, equality, ability to prosper, and humanity of all People.

Our department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts world class campaigns and situates the ACLU to have impact across legislative, administrative, and electoral levers. We are policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, electoral specialists, program managers and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts, and support and amplify the priorities of our affiliates. We work to center principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our approach.

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

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the State Policy Counsel, the Deputy National Director of Policy & Government Affairs. 

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Lead policy and strategy development of Firewall for Freedom materials for state and municipal policy makers. The Firewall for Freedom is a comprehensive set of policy proposals for state and municipal policymakers to defend civil rights and liberties from a hostile federal government
• Draft and coordinate the drafting of model state or municipal legislation ahead of state legislative sessions and on an ongoing basis
• Identify needs for new or supplemental materials related to Firewall for Freedom project, including developing novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges
• Provide supplemental policy and advocacy expertise to policy counsels on an as-needed basis, including engaging partner organizations and policymakers in support of ACLU goals and advocacy priorities
• In coordination with NPAD’s Policy & Government Affairs and State Campaigns Teams, serve as a resource and provide guidance to affiliates on state policy and legislative efforts
• Together with senior leadership, evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives and outreach efforts to inform future strategies
• In close collaboration with policy and state campaign leads, present on the Firewall for Freedom and other state-based work to organizational partners and in coalition spaces
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary to adapt to changing external environment
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• This position requires flexibility in work schedule, including the ability to work nontraditional hours   

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

The ACLU seeks a highly skilled individual who brings a deep understanding of and passion for civil rights and civil liberties issues and has a track record of driving successful policy outcomes, in particular at the state and municipal level.

This leader will be a strong collaborator, experienced in policy development and advocacy. They will be familiar with building, leading, and working within coalitions and with internal and external partners. The successful candidate will naturally connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. They will bring creative problem solving and excellent research, writing, and analytical skills. The successful candidate will be comfortable representing one’s organization and bring public speaking experience.

This leader will be effective working in a fast-paced environment, can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, is able to work efficiently and quickly, and is reliable in their delivery against deadlines, and is composed under pressure.

Setting Strategy & Executing for Results

• Proven ability to identify and set policy priorities through iterative processes
• Decisive in strategic planning but aware of a changing environment and maintains a needed level of flexibility and adaptability
• Experience supporting or crafting policymaking and setting appropriate strategies
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; capacity to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations
• A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; acts in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization

Leading and Working with Teams

• A creative, flexible, well-organized, and reliable person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities and manage a demanding schedule; a team player who is able to work independently, jointly, and under pressure; willing to learn; a self-starter and finisher
• Able to effectively advance work and projects across teams while maintaining strong relationships
• Able to persevere in the face of challenges and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards
• Self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement
• The willingness to make mistakes in pursuit of ambitious, game-changing goals, while possessing the ability to accept responsibility and learn from those mistakes with a sense of humor and humility.

Relationships and Influence

• Outstanding relationship builder who uses influence effectively in a variety of settings, both within the organization and with external constituencies, including public officials, trade associations, and other relevant parties
• Ability to work in a matrixed and federated environment; strong conflict management skills; ability to bring consensus around a common purpose and deliver collaborative solutions

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 benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. 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.