Policy Counsel/Senior Policy Counsel

About This Role

Policy Counsel/Senior Policy Counsel leads a broad docket focused on enhancing First Amendment protections, free speech, privacy, and technology protections, while also providing defensive work for the legislative program. This role involves advocacy on local and state speech regulations, rights of journalists and whistleblowers, government regulations on personal data, and the intersection of First Amendment rights and technology. The Policy Counsel will implement and monitor legislative and policy initiatives across the state that implicate constitutional rights and liberties, working to advance constitutional freedoms and oppose laws that compromise them.

Responsibilities

• Devise and manage short- and long-term campaigns to advance organizational mission in coordination with the NYCLU’s other functional departments (Legal, Field Organizing, and Communications)
• Engage in legislative and administrative advocacy, including developing legal and policy positions on local and state legislation, agency actions, proposed rules, directives, and ballot measures
• Draft and edit new legislation and model policies
• Draft testimony and comments to proposed rules and regulations
• Draft local and state advocacy materials
• Write and provide testimony
• Share expertise with policymakers
• Build and maintain relationships with organizations including those led by impacted individuals, public interest groups, government officials, community stakeholders, and academics to engage them in our work and implement collaborative projects
• Foster positive working relationships with state and national ACLU staff
• Serve as a key spokesperson and resource for the NYCLU in the press, in internal discussions and strategy development, and in NYCLU publications
• Monitor legal and policy developments on an array of civil liberties issues nationwide and in New York
• Supervise fellows in a manner that supports their professional development, communicate transparent expectations and feedback
• Actively support the NYCLU’s internal and external commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Requirements

• J.D. degree
• 3+ years of experience in legal or public policy advocacy, with a focus on First Amendment rights
• Initiative, vision, and ability to develop and implement short and long-term policy strategies utilizing a broad range of political and legal tactics
• Strong communications skills, including the ability to communicate in both writing and verbally to a variety of audiences
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Fluency in the vocabulary of free-speech issues and general civil liberties concerns
• Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives and manage multiple issues at once in a fast-paced environment