Details
09/17/2014
Policy Counsel
American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina
| Company | American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina |
| Position | Policy Counsel |
| Job Description | Come join an organization with a 50-year history of fighting for the rights of underserved, marginalized populations. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) seeks experienced applicants for the newly created position of Policy Counsel to work out of our office in Raleigh. Working under the direction and supervision of our Policy Director, the Policy Counsel will be responsible for advancing the proactive civil liberties agenda of the ACLU-NC at the state and local level, lobbying to defeat proposed legislation that threatens to undermine constitutional rights and individual liberty, and mobilizing coalition partners and community groups to achieve our objectives. At no other time in our state’s history has this work been more vital. The ACLU-NC is the state affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union. Our mission is to preserve and expand the guarantees of individual liberty found in the U.S. Constitution, the North Carolina Constitution, and relevant federal and state civil rights laws. These freedoms include: racial justice, voting rights, immigrants’ rights, criminal justice and drug law reform, women’s rights, reproductive justice, LGBT equality, free speech, religious liberty, due process, the right to privacy, and much more. Founded in 1965, the North Carolina affiliate is a rapidly growing organization, and in just the past three years, the size of our statewide membership base has doubled to more than 12,000. For more information about the work of the ACLU-NC, visit our website at http://www.acluofnc.org/ Responsibilities • Track, monitor, and analyze proposed legislation; • Lobby members of legislative bodies and their staff in support of ACLU-NC positions on pending legislation; • Conduct legal and policy research into civil liberties issues raised by proposed legislation at the state and local level and draft legal memoranda analyzing these issues; • Assist the Policy Director with the preparation of position papers, reports for the public, public records requests, internal reports for ACLU-NC staff and lay leaders, or other documents as necessary; • Assist the Policy Director in the drafting and preparation of proposed legislation or amendments preserving and advancing civil liberties; • Monitor the legislative calendar for civil liberties related legislation, committee meetings, opportunities to testify on pending legislation, and apprise the Policy Director of committee actions; • Represent the ACLU-NC in coalition meetings and community discussions; • Grant interviews to the media with regard to the civil liberties implications of proposed legislation or policy initiatives; • Participate in public education efforts, including making presentations to ACLU-NC chapters and other organizations or groups about civil liberties related legislation, the legislative process, or other ACLU-NC priorities; • Assist the Policy Director in identifying, cultivating and training individuals to become community leaders and media spokespeople on civil liberties related matters; • Assist in organizing events, trainings, or membership activities, such as lobby days, related to our legislative or policy goals; • Represent the ACLU-NC in a professional manner externally as well as within the organization; • Attend ACLU-NC and ACLU-NCLF functions, such as the annual membership meeting, the Frank Porter Graham Awards, quarterly Board meetings and other ACLU events. • Perform other related duties as assigned by the Policy Director. Qualifications • Strong preference for candidates who possess a J.D. and membership in good standing with the North Carolina Bar or admission to the North Carolina Bar within one year of hire; • Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU; • Demonstrated understanding of the legislative process, campaign strategy, and political strategic planning, preferably related to civil liberties, civil rights, or related social justice; • Demonstrated experience working effectively with legislators or policy makers from across the political spectrum and with groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds, including from across the political spectrum; • Excellent research and analytical skills and substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues; • Experience working in coalitions, including developing shared plans, coordinating external and internal communications, and understanding internal political dynamics among partner groups; • Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information for various audiences; • Ability to multi-task, take initiative, think strategically, prioritize and complete assignments, including providing rapid analytical responses with meticulous attention to detail; • Ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, to manage several projects simultaneously, meet short deadlines, and to adjust to frequently changing demands; • Proven ability to work independently as well as to take direction and work collaboratively with a team; • A positive, confident, and professional presentation style; • Flexible hours and willingness to work evening and weekend hours, as directed by the Policy Director and required by the legislative schedule; • Some travel required, both in-state and out-of-state. Compensation • Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. • Excellent benefits include: paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with employer matching funds, generous paid holidays. Applicants should submit a cover letter that includes salary expectations, resume, relevant writing sample (no more than 5 pages) written wholly or substantially by the applicant, and list of at least three professional references, including contact information for each. |
| Expiration Date | 12/01/2014 |
| Contact Person | Sarah Preston |
| Phone | (919) 834-3466 |
| spreston@acluofnc.org |
