Supervising Policy Counsel

The ACLU-DC is a non-partisan, non-profit public interest organization devoted to protecting civil rights and civil liberties of those who live and work in the District of Columbia. Our 23 staff members work daily to achieve this mission through advocacy before the D.C. Council, litigation, public education, and organizing in all eight wards of D.C. ACLU-DC is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The ACLU works in communities, in the legislature, and in the courts to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.  

Summary/Objective

The Supervising Policy Counsel is a full-time position that supervises 2-3 Policy Advocacy Department staff members and supports the Policy Advocacy Director in the oversight of any internship and/or fellowship program within the department as it carries out its civil liberties and civil rights policy and legislative agenda in Washington, D.C. The Policy Counsel will be responsible for their own research, legislative, and advocacy agenda as well as supervise the work of their team in carrying out their respective research, legislative, and advocacy agendas. Under the direction of the Policy Advocacy Director, the Supervising Policy Counsel will effectively engage with legislators, the Mayor, the Mayor’s cabinet, executive branch agencies, independent agencies, other local government bodies, and related stakeholders to advance the ACLU-DC’s strategic work on issues related to D.C. statehood, first amendment rights, criminal justice system reform, racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, privacy, religious freedom, immigrant rights, Federal workers’ rights, and reproductive rights. Directly and through the staff they supervise, the Supervising Policy Counsel will conduct research, analyze legislation, draft legislation, engage in lobbying with the DC Council and, as appropriate in relation to D.C. Statehood and self-governance, the U.S. Congress. The Supervising Policy Counsel will represent the ACLU-DC in trainings, coalitions, stakeholder groups, and meetings with government to advance shared policy goals.

While the Supervising Policy Counsel is not a member of the ACLU-DC’s senior leadership team, they are part of the ACLU-DC’s leadership and management structure and are expected to provide thoughtful and informed input into the Policy Advocacy Department’s strategic direction and its priorities. This role will also be responsible for leading the development of legislative and advocacy strategy and tactics and supporting their staff in the implementation of these strategies and tactics. As the second-most senior member of the Policy Advocacy Department, the Supervising Policy Counsel will need to achieve sufficient mastery of the full scope of the Department’s work in order to be able to assume responsibility for areas of work rapidly should delegation of these become needed. Finally, the Supervising Policy Counsel will work closely with other members of the Policy Advocacy Department not under their supervision, as well as with members of the Communications, Development, Legal, and any other departments, coalition partners, and the ACLU National Office to advance the work of the department and the affiliate.

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

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Help lead the development of the ACLU-DC’s policy advocacy strategic priorities and related advocacy and policy work.
• Collaborate with other ACLU-DC team members and departments to develop goals, strategic plans, and implement tactics to advance the Policy Advocacy Department’s strategic priorities.
• Lead work in designated policy advocacy areas, including conducting analysis, policy research, and drafting legislative and other policy proposals aligned with ACLU-DC’s policy advocacy priorities. Convey technical policies and legal jargon into accessible language and concepts for legislators, community members, and the public.
• In collaboration with Policy Advocacy Dept. leadership and with leaders across departments, identify and respond to emerging policy issues related to ACLU-DC policy and advocacy priorities.
• Collaborate with National ACLU and external stakeholders and other affiliates to advance shared goals related to ACLU-DC’s policy advocacy strategic priorities.
• Build and strengthen trusted relationships with legislators and their staff, other advocates, community leaders, impacted individuals, agency staff, the Mayor’s office and cabinet members, and other key stakeholders.
• Support the Policy Advocacy Director in managing department systems, budgets, processes, outcome tracking, lobbying tracking, and impact measurement.
• Support oversight of internship and/or fellowship programs housed within the Policy Advocacy Department.
• Support the ACLU-DC lobbying for organizational and dept. priorities.
• At the direction of the Policy Advocacy Director, present (remote, in-person, through writing, etc.) the work and strategic priorities of the Policy Advocacy Dept. to a variety of audiences including ACLU-DC donors, supporters, Board of Directors (and/or pertinent committees), community partners, legislative staff, agency staff, coalition partners, administrative departments, and/or other audiences as needed.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and/or participant within the ACLU-DC on working groups or other cross-departmental meetings on delegated issue areas, lead issue areas, and/or issue areas staffed by supervisees.
• As directed by the Policy Advocacy Director, conduct public education through trainings, presentations, drafting and publishing of reports, and know your rights guides and/or supervise such public education when conducted by supervisees.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU-DC on delegated issue areas and as directed by the Policy Advocacy Director, including testifying before the DC Council.
• Supervise interns, fellows, volunteers, and other staff as directed.
• Supervise the work of contractors or consultants as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Note to Potential Candidates: Research shows that women, non-binary people, and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they don’t meet every qualification or skill listed. We know that not all strong candidates will have every skill we list—that’s okay! We still want to hear from you.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Juris doctor from an accredited law school or other graduate degree in Public Policy or a related field.
• A minimum of (5) years of relevant work experience at the federal, state, or local level developing, leading, and implementing legislative or issue-based campaigns. An exceptional ability to conduct legal and legislative analysis and research required.
• A minimum of (3) years in strategic leadership or co-leadership of legislative, advocacy, or other policy initiatives, including articulable experience designing successful tactics, processes, and pathways in complex and nuanced environments that include a multiplicity of stakeholders, competing priorities, fast-moving timelines, and incremental progress.
• A minimum of (3) years supervising the work of any combination of the following: contractors, fellows, interns, volunteers, and/or staff. Time supervising the work of staff on issue areas or on specific bodies of work the applicant led may count towards this credit, even if the applicant was not responsible for employment decisions for staff whose work they supervised.
• A minimum of (3) years working with community stakeholders (grassroots and/or grasstops) and coalitions on policy advocacy projects. Experience must include developing shared plans, coordinating external and internal communications, and understanding internal political dynamics among partner groups.

 

COMPETENCIES

• Strong project management skills and ability to stand up effective accountability measures. A track record of successfully directing and completing long-term projects.
• Ability to multi-task, take initiative, think strategically, prioritize and complete assignments, including providing rapid analytical responses with strong attention to detail.
• Strong writing and communications skills. Experience with or demonstrated capacity to learn legislative drafting.
• Demonstrated flexibility in problem-solving and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
• Desire to receive and incorporate feedback.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with colleagues across departments and functions, including the ability to work with colleagues remotely, in-person, and hybrid.
• Demonstrated understanding of the legislative process and political strategic planning.
• Expertise or sufficient knowledge and experience allowing for the rapid development of D.C. expertise in at least two of the following areas: reproductive freedom, DC Statehood, criminal justice system reform (diversion, crisis response, juveniles, 4th amendment, and/or 8th amendment), discrimination (disability, LGBTQ+, race, and/or religion), first amendment issues, privacy and surveillance, and human services solutions to root causes of criminal justice system involvement. Willingness and ability to develop expertise in other policy areas.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

• This position is responsible for supervising 2-3 positions in the Policy Advocacy Department and supporting the oversight and supervision of interns and fellows hired pursuant to any internship of fellowship program in the Policy Advocacy Department.
• This position may also be responsible for supervising volunteers and/or contractors.

Work Environment

• The organization currently operates as a hybrid work environment.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Travel Required

• Occasional travel may be required.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

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

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.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $135,000 with an offer based on individual experience and abilities. Excellent benefits include paid time off, generous paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K plan with employer matching.

To Apply

Applications must be submitted via the Bamboo HR application page linked on our website at acludc.org. If you have a disability/ies and need accommodation regarding any part of the application process, please contact us at operations (at) acludc.org. To complete the application, you will need to upload:

• Current resume
• Cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position as detailed in the job description
• Writing or work sample demonstrating the competencies detailed in the job description

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis; applying sooner is encouraged. The position will remain open until filled. This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU-DC reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU-DC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-DC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by the D.C. Human Rights Act or federal employment law.

Salary

• $110,000 - $135,000