Sr. Policy Counsel
About the Company
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.
The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across 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.
About the Job
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.
The Senior Policy Counsel will report to the Deputy Director, Policy & Government Affairs—Equality Division. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
Responsibilities
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, specifically regarding immigration policies that are fair, humane, and comport with due process, as well as other civil rights and civil liberties issues
Develop strategic legislative and administrative policy options related to immigration issues
Engage with and provide in-depth policy and advocacy support to ACLU state affiliates as needed
Independently develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges
Independently draft bills and/or administrative rules/regulations at the state, local, or federal levels, providing content expertise as well as legislative and regulatory drafting knowledge
Prepare, provide guidance on and/or deliver testimony on pending legislation before Congressional committees or federal regulatory agencies; and draft or provide guidance on testimony to be delivered by ACLU state affiliates before legislative or regulatory bodies at the state and local/municipal levels, in collaboration with an affiliate
Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives
Support Division leadership and National and State Campaigns staff in presenting information and advocating policies to internal and external audiences
Provide legislative counseling, including policy, legislative or legal analysis, strategic planning guidance, and tactical suggestions, to ACLU affiliates to support state and/or locally-based efforts
Coordinate and conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials as pertinent to advancing priority ACLU positions
Help coordinate strategy designed to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes across ACLU departments, ACLU affiliates, and coalition partners
Work with National and State Campaigns and organizers in NPAD to advance campaign goals or other policy and political outcomes
Collaborate with other NPAD Policy and Government Relations staff to ensure effective relationship management, coordination on Capitol Hill and on effective legislative strategies
Participate as the ACLU representative in meetings of ad hoc lobbying and policy and/or political coalitions, as relevant
In collaboration with ACLU Communications staff and other key stakeholders, provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and draft and contribute to op-eds and other publications, as relevant
Organize, lead, and work with outside groups to bolster support for ACLU policy goals or to minimize opposition to those goals
May provide subject matter expertise, advice, and support to fellow colleagues in other Divisions as they develop and execute state/local campaigns in new and unfamiliar issue areas
Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary in order to adapt to changing external environment
Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.P.) or substantial equivalent training and experience in policy analysis and/or advocacy strongly preferred
Prior lobbying experience
Familiarity and relationships with legal, policy, communications and organizing groups working in the immigration field
Demonstrated expertise in immigration policy and working with immigration coalitions
Significant experience working in political, policy, legal, or government settings; high degree of familiarity with public policy and legislative, administrative and/or electoral processes
Sophisticated judgment; experience giving advice and counsel to a principal
High level, substantive, and extensive experience in policy development
Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas or fields of specialty covered by the ACLU
Ability to work independently as well as within a team
Experience with media and serving as a spokesperson for an issue, campaign, or cause; ability to communicate complex policy issues to a general public and government decisionmakers
Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and communication skills, including at the highest levels of government and politics
Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
Ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues to government decision makers, and the general public
Ability to work and communicate quickly and accurately, handling multiple projects and deliverables under pressure
Fluency in Spanish a plus
