Senior Policy Counsel, Voting

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time term-limited position ofSenior Policy Counsel in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLUs National office in Washington D.C.This is ahybrid rolethat has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight(8) days per month. This position is a three-year term-limited position.

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.

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

WHAT YOULL DO

Reporting to the Director of Policy & Governments - Democracy & Technology the Senior Policy Counsel will focus on voting rights with a particular emphasis on state and local policy advocacy for election safeguarding as well as protecting voting rights against redistricting and voter suppression legislation.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas at the federal state and local levels specifically advocating for a more representative open and accountable democracy including by combatting voter suppression measures achieving reforms that expand access to the ballot advancing institutional reforms to the judicial and legislative branches and other civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Focus primarily on state and local policy in collaboration with ACLU state affiliates NPAD campaign leadership and staff and other NPAD and Legal Department staff working on voting issues
• Develop strategic legislative campaign and administrative policy options
• 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 preparing written materials meeting with stakeholders 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 state affiliates to support of 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 a strategy designed to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes across ACLU departments ACLU state 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 Affairs staff to ensure effective relationship management coordination on Capitol Hill and in state policy work to achieve policy objectives
• Participate as an 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
• Ensure key ACLU positions and documents are archived and that vote recommendations on federal legislation are included in the ACLU scorecard
• Provide subject matter expertise advice and support to colleagues in other Divisions as they develop and execute state/local campaigns in overlapping or related issue areas
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary in order to adapt to a changing external environment
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLUERS 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 YOULL BRING

• Law degree with substantial legal research writing and advocacy experience
• Significant experience working in policy legal political or government settings; high degree of familiarity with public policy and legislative administrative and/or electoral processes
• Experience working in a campaign setting preferred
• Demonstrated substantive expertise in civil liberties and civil rights law and policy preferably with an emphasis on voting and elections
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Experience with media and serving as a spokesperson for an issue campaign or cause; exceptional ability to explain both in writing and orally complex policy issues to both the general public and government decision-makers
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Exceptional writing and verbal skills with the ability to synthesize information
• Highly organized with excellent time management skills; detail-oriented with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously often under strict deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence to navigate a large department and complex organization

COMPENSATION