ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Senior Policy Counsel focusing on housing, reporting to the Deputy Director of Policy in the Equality Division of the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY or Washington, DC.

The National Political Advocacy Department (NPAD) works to strengthen the efforts of the ACLU at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The department harnesses the political power that comes from having more than eight million members and supporters, as well as affiliates in every state. Through grassroots organizing, lobbying and policy work, and issue campaigns, the ACLU seeks to achieve change as profound in the legislative, administrative and electoral arenas as it has accomplished through the courts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with ACLU national and affiliate staff across the organization on racial justice issues with a particular focus on eliminating the racial disparities in homeownership rates and returns, and other wealth building instruments
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, local, or federal level
Develop strategic legislative and administrative policy options related to housing issues with a particular focus on reducing the racial wealth gap
Independently develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges
Coordinate strategy designed to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes across ACLU departments, ACLU affiliates, and coalition partners
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 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
Work with campaign strategists and organizers in NPAD to advance campaign goals or other policy and political outcomes
Work respectfully with ACLU affiliates in advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes
Participate as the ACLU representative in meetings of ad hoc lobbying and policy and/or political coalitions
In collaboration with ACLU Communications staff, provide expert commentary to the media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other publications
Collaborate with other ACLU national and affiliate staff and representatives of coalition allies
Organize and work with outside groups to bolster support for ACLU policy goals or to minimize opposition to those goals
Coordinate efforts across the organization including legal staff, communications staff, strategists, and affiliates around the country to keep them abreast of and enlist their support for relevant portfolio of priority issues
Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to build coalitions and to ensure that the ACLU remains on the cutting-edge in developing policy solutions

In addition to:

Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.P.) or equivalent training in policy analysis, advocacy, or campaigns preferred
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
Experience with constitutional issues
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 this position is $143,943 (Level E). This salary is reflective of a position based in New York, NY. 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. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

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.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. 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 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.

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. 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.

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