Public Policy Counsel

Job Title: Public Policy Counsel	Department: Public Policy
Job Reports to: Director of Public Policy	FLSA Status: Exempt-Full Time Collective Bargaining Unit: Eligible
Pay Range: $60,000.00 - $96,000.00	Location: Baltimore, MD (Remote)

THE ROLE

About the Position:

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland /ACLU Foundation of Maryland seeks a talented Public Policy Counsel whose primary purpose is to work with the policy team to develop and execute the organization’s policy and legislative advocacy agenda, including drafting legislation, testifying in front of government bodies, and lobbying local and state legislators to pass laws concerning civil rights and civil liberties. In addition to managing a larger portfolio of policy issues, the Public Policy Counsel conducts extensive legal and policy research and analysis, answers legal questions, and drafts a variety of legal memos, letters, and other documents that require an understanding of many different aspects of law, particularly Constitutional law.

This is a full-time position. The position is based in Baltimore, Maryland at the ACLU of Maryland Affiliate Office. This position is eligible for remote-work during the current Novella Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic. During the annual legislative session, besides during COVID remote work, this position is based in Annapolis.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities:

The information provided below encompasses the essential functions and capabilities linked with this position:

• Recommend revisions to team procedures and practices to incorporate best practices and address changes in the legal landscape and cultural
• Disseminate, implement, and enforce organization and team standards, policies, and procedures, including providing proper guidance to those carrying out related
• Assist with developing and executing plans and strategies to meet team goals and
• Work to actively elevate the work and leadership of communities directly impacted by
• Conduct legal research to identify key issues related to proposed
• Identify, track, and advise on introduced and proposed legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and other local legislative bodies that affect civil
• Maintain bill tracking database and hearing schedule, program calendars and docket
• Perform legal analysis to determine the Constitutionality of existing and proposed laws and
• Monitor implementation of priority laws that passed from the previous
• Attend hearings, briefings, and other proceedings before the General
• Draft testimony on a wide range of bills to explain the constitutional implications of legislation, advance/protect rights related to racial equity and our strategic goals and the organization’s
• Deliver verbal testimony at the state and local level to represent the organization in front of government
• Draft reports, memos, letters, and documents to different audiences to explain complex legal and policy matters and provide
• Draft policy briefs, fact sheets, one-pagers, talking points, communications and education materials, and other documents to synthesize complex issues into persuasive language that is easy to
• Build and maintain relationships with key legislators, coalitions, and advocates to advance the organization’s legislative
• Assist members of the legal department on an ad hoc basis by conducting legal research, writing, and
• Assist with development and facilitate meetings with members of different departments and outside coalitions and
• Collaborate with the engagement team on outreach and organizing
• Collaborate with the communications team on media and communication
• Assist with developing and executing plans and strategies to meet team goals and

Management and Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position is designated as a non-management position and does not encompass supervisory responsibility. The position may function as a team leader, monitor interns and volunteer work assignments as directed by their immediate supervisor for:

• Community volunteers
• Interns

Position Qualifications:

Minimum Entry Requirements

Values Agreement:

• Demonstrated personal commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications through previous

Race Equity Commitment:

• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, dismantling white supremacy, and incorporating a structural power analysis into Must have knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.

Education & Work Experience:

• (Relevant education/experience may substitute for required education/experience at a rate of one-year relevant education/experience per year of required education/experience.)
• Juris Doctorate Degree
• A minimum of 3 to 7 years’ experience in a similar position. Certification or License Requirements:
•  

Typical Functional Experience:

• Ability to contribute legal knowledge and expertise in support of community-generated
• Ability to be proactive and work effectively on issues that require bipartisan
• Analytical, legal research, negotiation, writing, and oral advocacy skills; ability to articulate complex issues and communicate them effectively to a variety of
• Ability to think strategically and conceptually with a self-awareness to dismantle your biases in order to approach to solutions using a race equity
• Proactively identify issues and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to make policy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to use professional judgment and practice
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with coalitions and community groups, motivate volunteers, and work across the political spectrum.
• Willingness to take direction from directly impacted people and to contribute public policy and legal knowledge with the purpose of empowering community members and making the law accessible and useful to disenfranchised
• Ability to give presentations and engage diverse
• Adaptable team player with the ability to engage various constituencies in a complex
• Familiarity with Maryland communities, state, and local government racial equity and social injustice issues that impact our
• Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment; manage several projects simultaneously; and adjust strategy to frequently changing
• Working knowledge of relevant current and proposed federal and local laws, regulations, and other legal directives related to assigned program area, and rules governing civil and appellate
• Working knowledge on effective policy development and advocacy practices as well as internal policies and
• Working knowledge of advocacy campaigns, including legislative advocacy, coalition building, and community
• Working knowledge of communications best practices, cross-programmatic policy changes, and legislative
• Demonstrate initiative, including pro-actively identifying and addressing issues and making

Supervisory/Managerial Practice:

• Technical Aptitude:
• Maintain advanced working knowledge of office-related software, including Apple and Microsoft office products and any industry-specific technology or other internet research

Work Schedule & Travel Obligation:

• The ability to work occasional evening, weekend, and irregular hours and to travel within the state as

Bonus Considerations

• Advanced Juris Doctorate or equivalent post-Secondary credentials
• Bilingual ability to interpret or translate in a non-English language, preferably
• Experience working in non-profit, advocacy, or political
• Experience with statutory and legislative analysis, legal research and writing, and legislative and budget processes in Maryland; experience with advocacy and policy change tools; awareness of the political landscape.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Compensation and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience ($60,000.00 - $96,000.00). Excellent benefits include three weeks paid vacation at time of hire (increasing to four weeks after four years); 13 paid office holidays; 12 paid sick days, telework and flex-time, generous medical insurance including two health, dental and vision insurance options for staff members, their dependents and spouse/domestic partner; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance plan; six weeks of paid medical leave, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan with employer match, free on-site parking, additional commuter benefits with access to commuter rail station. Direct exposure to cutting- edge civil liberties and civil rights work. This is a position is in the bargaining unit represented by OPEIU Local 2 and is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

THE APPLICATION

Deadline/Start Date:

The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a short (no longer than 5 pages) writing sample at this website: https://aclumaryland.applytojob.com/apply/Gokccydzoj/Public-Policy-Counsel. We discourage applicants from applying through third-party websites. Early applications are strongly encouraged. It will not be possible for us to respond to telephone or email inquiries. Resumes or applications sent via other avenues will not be considered.

THE ORGANIZAITON

About the ACLU of Maryland:

The ACLU of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that promotes equity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU of Maryland makes every effort to assure that its recruitment, selection, hiring and employment practices provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU of Maryland 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 human resources at [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The ACLU of Maryland is a non-partisan, non-profit racial justice, social and public interest organization that works in the courts, legislature, and in support of communities to affect structural change. We exist to empower Marylanders to exercise their rights so that the law values and uplifts their humanity. Our vision is a Maryland where people are united in affirming and exercising their rights in order to address inequities and fulfill the country’s unrealized promise of justice and freedom for all. We are committed to centering race equity in our work, internally and externally, in order to better support and be accountable to Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color, whose civil rights and civil liberties are systematically threatened by white supremacy. ACLU-MD is an affiliate of the national ACLU.