Policy Counsel Job Description

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey is looking for a Policy Counsel to join our team.  We are seeking a passionate and dedicated attorney to support the ACLU of New Jersey’s Policy Department in its legislative program and policy advocacy efforts. The Policy Counsel will be responsible for legislative research and analysis; defending and promoting the civil liberties policy agenda of the ACLU-NJ at the state, federal, and local levels; lobbying to advance civil rights and liberties and defeat proposed legislation that threatens to undermine those rights; and working with coalition partners and community groups to achieve our objectives. The Policy Counsel reports to the Policy Director.

At ACLU-NJ, we take pride in our reputation of nearly 65 years of fighting the hard fight for people whose civil liberties are threatened or denied. And now – as we enlarge our staff to face the current threats to our civil liberties – is the ideal time to join us.

Working closely with team members across departments, the Policy Counsel position will also play an essential role in developing and maintaining a healthy and thriving organizational culture that values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, helping ensure that we make progress toward our goals of fighting for systemic change and racial justice internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and Analysis: Conduct legal and policy research and analysis related to the ACLU-NJ’s advocacy campaigns, and other public policy goals. Assist with tracking, monitoring, and analyzing proposed legislation. Assist with monitoring the legislative calendar for committee meetings and actions involving tracked legislation.
• Policy Advocacy: Serve as a policy expert and advocate on ACLU-NJ policy priorities. Prepare talking points, legislative testimony, bill summaries, position papers, internal reports and presentations for ACLU-NJ staff and lay leaders. Draft proposed legislation, regulatory comments, legislative amendments and more to preserve and advance civil liberties.
• Legislative Outreach: Lobby members of legislative bodies, agencies, and executive officials and their staff in support of ACLU-NJ positions on pending legislation, and administrative and regulatory matters. Draft and deliver testimony at legislative hearings. Collaborate with staff to implement integrated advocacy initiatives involving policy, legal, communication, public education, and organizing strategies. Policy Counsel will be required to register as a lobbyist for the ACLU-NJ.
• Media Outreach & Education: Participate in interviews with the media regarding the civil liberties implications of proposed legislation or policy initiatives. Participate in public education efforts, including making presentations to ACLU-NJ members, coalitions, and other organizations or groups about civil liberties related legislation, the legislative process, or other ACLU-NJ priorities. Assist in organizing events, training, or membership activities, such as lobby days, related to our legislative or policy agendas. 
• Relationship Building: Work with state and local lawmakers and staff, administrative agencies, the Governor’s office, lobbyists, and other stakeholders by providing thought-partnership, research and analysis, and other resources.

To Be Successful in This Role, the Candidate Will Have

• Education: J.D. degree required.
• Commitment to Mission: Demonstrated commitment to and a strong understanding of civil rights, civil liberties, social justice, and the ACLU-NJ’s mission and goals.
• Commitment to Values: Alignment with the values of the ACLU-NJ and professional commitment to advancing them.
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: Ability to work in an environment that respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Strategies on Legislative Issues: Advanced skills in strategic communications with the public sector, private organizations and policy makers about relevant legislation, policies and procedures relating to ACLU-NJ.
• Advocacy: Advanced skills providing technical assistance, writing reports, and policy briefs targeted to decision makers.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills with advocacy assignments and tasks in the development sector projects.
• Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively and respectfully with staff, board members, lawmakers, volunteers, and the public. Skilled in communicating both orally and in writing.
• Self-Management: Self-starter with strong follow-through and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships inside and outside the organization. Ability to think creatively and use non-litigation strategies and integrated advocacy to promote ACLU-NJ's agenda, including building coalitions, utilizing narrative change, and collective advocacy.

To Stand Out from Others, The Candidate Will Have:

• At least 3 years of legislative and policy experience. Professional experience in public policy development, legal advocacy, political campaigns, organizing, or government affairs work preferred.
• Experience creating advocacy and membership materials including reports, policy papers, content for newsletters and member/activist emails, blog, and website.
• Media relations experience.
• Demonstrated ability to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Experience with one or more of the ACLU-NJ's strategic priority areas: racial justice, immigrants’ rights, criminal law reform, gender equity, reproductive freedom, or LGBTQIA+ equal rights.
• Available to work extended hours, including occasional nights and weekends, and travel throughout the state

Finally, our next Policy Counsel will bring a commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU of New Jersey, along with a personal dedication to a professional team that will bring us into our next 65 years as New Jersey’s guardian of liberty.

Compensation:

The salary for this position starts at $90,000. The ACLU-NJ supports and plans for staff member professional growth and skill development through internal and external opportunities. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which currently includes 30 days paid time off, 12 office holidays and 18 health care leave days; medical, vision, and dental insurance; 100 days paid family leave; life and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax transit benefits; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.   

About our Culture:

We are a diverse workforce and take pride in our ability to attract and retain employees with a huge array of backgrounds and experiences. We work hard, but also like to celebrate our successes. 

We strive to bring humility, empathy, kindness, and generosity to our work, internally within the organization and externally with our partners and those whom we are serving. We seek to build a work culture with a sense of respect and collegiality, and a willingness to be generous with our expertise and resources. 

Our organization is currently a team of 30+ who care deeply about the work of the ACLU. We view our work as advancing our goals of liberty and justice for all and we work to achieve these through our approach and practices. We enjoy working together and remain inspired by the remarkable work of our amazing local and national colleagues. 

To Apply:

If you’re excited about bringing your talents and skills to the ACLU-NJ, complete the application and upload a resume and letter of interest. Your letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. 

Application materials will also be accepted via postal mail (P.O. Box 32159, Newark, NJ 07102), but electronic filing is strongly preferred. Applications will be reviewed immediately. We will accept applications until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website. We hope that one of those applications is yours. 

The ACLU-NJ 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-NJ 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 careers@aclu-nj.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. 

The ACLU-NJ is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization, dedicated to defending and enhancing civil rights and civil liberties through litigation, legislative advocacy, organizing, and community education.  

The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture of belonging. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; ancestry; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; gender identity or expression; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. The more inclusive we are, the better we are.