Employment Status: Full-Time, limited term (2 years)

Supervisory Role: No

Bargaining Unit Member: Yes

Organization Department: Policy & Advocacy

Reports to Position: Supervisory Policy Counsel

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000

 

Summary

The Policy Counsel/Policy Advisor will engage in local policy advocacy before the DC Council, the Mayor, and with administrative agencies to advance the ACLU-DC’s strategic work on issues related to First Amendment rights, criminal justice, racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, privacy, religious freedom, immigrant rights, federal workers’ rights, and reproductive rights. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting policy research, and analyzing legislation, engaging in lobbying with the DC Council, and representing the ACLU-DC in various coalitions and with stakeholder groups to advance shared policy goals.

Under the direction and supervision of the Supervisory Policy Counsel, the Policy Counsel/Policy Advisor will also work closely with other members of the Policy & Advocacy Department, including the Policy Associate, and Senior Policy Counsel, as well as with members of the Communications, Development, and Legal departments, coalition partners, and the ACLU National Office.

Depending on candidate credentials, the role will be classified as Policy Counsel (JD required) or Policy Advisor (for candidates without a JD).

This is a limited-term role with funding for 2 year(s), with the possibility for extensions depending on a variety of factors including but not limited to budget and organizational workload.

This position is a member of the ACLU-DC staff bargaining unit represented by the Washington Baltimore News Guild and is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. For the purposes of classifying this position within the unit, this is a temporary position.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and policy research and analysis related to the ACLU-DC’s advocacy campaigns and other public policy goals.
• Serve as a policy expert and advocate on civil rights and civil liberties issues, and lobby members in the DC Council, the Mayor’s office, and local agency officials to further the ACLU-DC’s policy goals.
• Prepare and review written materials including legislative testimony, memoranda, policy papers and reports, talking points and fact sheets, advocacy letters, know-your-rights guides, public commentary, and web content that further the legislative priorities of the organization.
• Testify before the D.C. Council and engage in public speaking at organizational or community events.
• Build and maintain trusted, respectful relationships with elected and appointed local officials, agency decision-makers, the mayor’s office, lobbyists, and community stakeholders by providing clear, fact-based analysis and resources and identifying opportunities for collaboration on ACLU issues.
• Maintain clear and quantifiable systems for tracking policy progress in and out of legislative session.
• Coordinate and collaborate with ACLU-DC staff to build and implement effective multidisciplinary and integrated advocacy initiatives, involving a combination of policy, legal, communications, public education and organizing strategies.
• Represent ACLU- DC in various community and stakeholder groups, help build and lead coalitions with diverse stakeholders to advance shared policy goals, and work in partnership with other organizations.
• Monitor and respond to policy initiatives under consideration by the local District government.

Education and Experience

Required

• Juris doctor from an accredited law school or other graduate degree in Public Policy or a related field. A minimum of three (3) years' relevant work experience at the federal, state, or local level developing, leading, implementing legislative, policy, or issue-based campaigns.
• A bachelor’s degree with at least six (6) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a JD or master’s degree.

Preferred

• Prior experience in political strategic planning, including power-mapping and developing messaging and tactics for legislative campaigns.
• Prior experience with advocacy on civil rights and civil liberties matters.

Competencies

• Knowledge of criminal legal system and legislative or litigation experience in criminal justice issues a plus.
• Excellent legal and policy analysis and research skills and demonstrated experience with legislative advocacy/lobbying.
• Excellent communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and the ability to articulate legal concepts and complex issues tactfully and effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in and with coalitions to achieve public policy goals, including navigating internal political dynamics among partner groups.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage details, work independently, and follow through with minimal direct supervision.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
• Desire to receive and incorporate feedback.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including ability to work collaboratively (including the ability to work effectively with colleagues remotely), share responsibility and credit, and navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside of the ACLU.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
• Demonstrated passion for civil rights and civil liberties issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment

• Organization is currently in a hybrid remote work environment.
• Must be able to attend in-person meetings and hearings
• On-site environment is a professional office.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent written and verbal communication.
• Frequent and extended periods of standing and sitting.
• Visual activity for extensive reading, preparing, analyzing information, and viewing a computer terminal.

Travel Required

• Occasional travel may be required.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

 

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Statement

The ACLU of the District of Columbia is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing our team’s diversity and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to supporting persons with disabilities in their work and encourage their request for needed job accommodations.

 

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

 

Hiring Process

We are committed to a thorough and transparent hiring process designed to ensure the best fit for both our organization and potential team members. If you have a disability and need accommodation regarding any part of the application process, please contact us at [email protected].

 

Stage 1: Application Submission

1. Submit your resume and personalized cover letter describing why you are interested in this role at ACLU-DC.
2. An example of a policy-driven writing sample.

Applications without all of the above will not be considered. Please apply through https://acludc.bamboohr.com/careers/52.

 

Stage 2: Phone Screening

Selected candidates will participate in a brief phone screen to discuss their background, skills, and alignment with the position.

 

Stage 3: Skills Assessment (If Necessary)

The top 3-5 candidates may be invited to complete a two-hour skills assessment relevant to the role. Details will be shared during the process. This step has not been finalized but is included here for transparency.

 

Stage 4: Panel Interview

3-5 shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 60-minute video interview with the hiring manager and team members. This mutual interview will begin with an opportunity for you to ask us questions, followed by discussing your skills, experiences, and interest in the role. This step helps both parties assess whether there is a good fit.

 

Stage 5: Final Interview

A 30-minute interview with Monica Hopkins, our Executive Director, will serve as the final step in the interview process.

 

Stage 6: Offer

An offer will be extended to the final selected candidate.