ACLU is hiring a
Public Policy Counsel

Summary

Join the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland /ACLU Foundation of Maryland as a Public Policy Counsel to work with the policy team to develop and execute the organization's policy and legislative advocacy agenda.

Responsibilities

• Recommend revisions to team procedures and practices to incorporate best practices and address changes in the legal landscape and culture
• Disseminate, implement, and enforce organization and team standards, policies, and procedures, including providing proper guidance to those carrying out related tasks
• Assist with developing and executing plans and strategies to meet team goals and objectives
• Work to actively elevate the work and leadership of communities directly impacted by civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Conduct legal research to identify key issues related to proposed legislation
• Identify, track, and advise on introduced and proposed legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and other local legislative bodies that affect civil rights and civil liberties
• Maintain bill tracking database and hearing schedule, program calendars and docket
• Perform legal analysis to determine the Constitutionality of existing and proposed laws and regulations
• Monitor implementation of priority laws that passed from the previous legislative session
• Attend hearings, briefings, and other proceedings before the General Assembly and local legislative bodies
• 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 mission
• Deliver verbal testimony at the state and local level to represent the organization in front of government bodies
• Draft reports, memos, letters, and documents to different audiences to explain complex legal and policy matters and provide guidance on related issues
• 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 understand
• Build and maintain relationships with key legislators, coalitions, and advocates to advance the organization's legislative agenda
• Assist members of the legal department with research and analysis related to proposed legislation and regulations
• Willingness to take direction from directly impacted people and contribute public policy and legal knowledge with the purpose of empowering community members and making the law accessible and useful to disenfranchised communities
• Ability to give presentations and engage diverse audiences on complex issues related to civil rights and civil liberties
• Adaptable team player with the ability to engage various constituencies in a complex environment
• Familiarity with Maryland communities, state, and local government racial equity and social injustice issues that impact our work
• Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment; manage several projects simultaneously; and adjust strategy to frequently changing circumstances
• 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 procedures
• Working knowledge on effective policy development and advocacy practices as well as internal policies and procedures
• Working knowledge of advocacy campaigns, including legislative advocacy, coalition building, and community engagement
• Working knowledge of communications best practices, cross-programmatic policy changes, and legislative processes
• Demonstrate initiative, including pro-actively identifying and addressing issues and making recommendations to improve the organization's work
• Maintain advanced working knowledge of office-related software, including Apple and Microsoft office products and any industry-specific technology or other internet research tools