Senior Policy Counsel

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Senior 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. 

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.

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 Director, Policy & Government Affairs – Equality Division.

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

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, 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 extern