ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time position of Technology Fellow position in the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. The fellowship term is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, journalists’ rights, scientific and academic freedom, openness in the courts, privacy rights at the border, and the impact of big data and algorithmic decision-making.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by March 1, 2025.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, the Technology Fellow will be responsible for staying abreast of technological developments that have potential consequences for civil liberties, identifying new and emerging civil liberties concerns, and advising ACLU staff on technological matters. This will include providing support to ACLU affiliates on technology issues in specific states or regions. The Technology Fellow will function as an integral part of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, and will work with the lawyers, technologists, and other professionals on the team to support SPT’s litigation and advocacy work. ACLU technologists have worked closely with litigators on cases involving surveillance, encryption, and DNA, and have been key spokespeople for the ACLU on issues of technology in the press and in ACLU publications.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

The Technology Fellow’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Monitor technologies and technological developments that have potential consequences for civil liberties
• Collaborate to devise organizational strategies and responses to issues relating to technology and civil liberties
• Build and maintain links between the ACLU and technology communities. Connect ACLU staff with outside experts when necessary
• Serve as a resource to ACLU litigators, policy and legislative staff, and others on technological matters
• Educate the public about technology and civil liberties issues through blog posts, social media, white papers, and media appearances

FUTURE ACLU’ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required; advanced degrees in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, genetics, computer science) will be taken into consideration
• Research or employment experience related to the impact of technology and technological developments on civil liberties
• Strong communications skills, especially the ability to communicate complex technical issues to ACLU staff and the general public
• The ability to identify, follow and understand technical issues and their implications for civil liberties in computing, network protocols, mobile telephony, biometrics, genetics, machine learning, educational technology, cybersecurity, public health, or other technological fields
• Excellent analytic, writing, and communication skills

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or 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 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 [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.