Senior Policy Counsel, Racial Justice

Full-time

No

# Senior Policy Counsel, Racial Justice

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is seeking a full-time Senior Policy Counsel to join the Equality Division of its National Political Advocacy Department. Reporting to the Deputy Division Director, the Senior Policy Counsel will play a key role in designing and executing the ACLU’s racial justice agenda.

## Responsibilities

* Work with ACLU national and affiliate staff on racial justice civil rights issues with an emphasis on issues related to closing the racial wealth gap
* Develop strategic legislative, executive, and administrative policy options
* Develop strong relationships with civil rights advocacy organizations and represent the ACLU in multi-organization coalitions and working groups
* Support and carry out, as appropriate, lobbying efforts at the state and federal level. Support state affiliates with lobbying guidance, materials, content expertise and strategic recommendations, as needed
* 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 and 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
* Help coordinate strategy designed to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes across ACLU departments, ACLU affiliates, and coalition partners
* In collaboration with ACLU Communications staff, provide expert commentary to the media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other publications
* Coordinate efforts to keep legal staff, communications staff, strategists, and affiliates abreast of the relevant priority issues in this portfolio, and where needed, enlist support for such issues
* Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

## Experience & Qualifications

*
* Significant experience working in political, policy, legal, or government settings; high familiarity with public policy and legislative, administrative and/or electoral processes
* High level and creative policy development skills
* Demonstrated ability to work with organizations representing communities of color including Black, Latinx, AMEMSA, AAPI, and Indigenous communities and/or Tribes
* Experience with federal and state legislative analysis and advocacy relating to civil rights and anti-discrimination law
* Ability to work independently as well as within a team
* Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and communication skills
* Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
* Ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues to government decision makers, and the general public; expertise in field of policy
* Ability to work and communicate quickly and accurately, handling multiple projects and deliverables under pressure

## Compensation

The annual salary for the Senior Policy Counsel position is $148,261 (Level E), reflective of a position based in New York, NY, where our National offices are headquartered. This salary will be subject to a locality adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.

## About the ACLU

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

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 from government abuse and overreach.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages 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. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

## Summary

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is seeking a full-time Senior Policy Counsel to join the Equality Division of its National Political Advocacy Department. The Senior Policy Counsel will play a key role in designing and executing the ACLU’s racial justice agenda. Responsibilities will include working with ACLU national and affiliate staff on racial justice civil rights issues, developing strategic legislative, executive, and administrative policy options, and providing expert commentary to the media.

Qualifications for the position include an advanced degree (., .) or equivalent training in policy analysis, advocacy, or campaigns, significant experience working in political, policy, legal, or government settings, high level and creative policy development skills, and demonstrated ability to work with organizations representing communities of color.

The annual salary for the Senior Policy Counsel position is $148,261 (Level E

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism, Respect for Differences

Political, Policy, Legal, Government, Public Policy, Legislative, Administrative, Electoral Processes, Relationship Building, Communication, Research, Writing, Analytical, Field of Policy

Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.P.) or equivalent training in policy analysis, advocacy, or campaigns preferred

Applications for this position must be submitted online through Greenhouse

Qualification and Experience Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.P.) or equivalent training in policy analysis, advocacy, or campaigns preferred

Legal