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ACLU of Illinois · 3 weeks ago

Senior Policy Counsel

Chicago,IL,US

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$95K/yr - $110K/yr

10+ years exp

The ACLU of Illinois is dedicated to advancing civil liberties and rights, and they are seeking a Senior Policy Counsel to lead policy and advocacy efforts. This role involves collaborating with various departments to promote change through legislative and administrative actions, while also supervising staff and engaging with community stakeholders.

Legal Services

Responsibilities

Identify opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas using a variety of non-litigation methods at the state and local levels

Monitor, research, analyze, and advise on legal, legislative, political, technological, and other developments in assigned issue areas; identify other areas that warrant the organization’s attention

Provide expertise, including verbal and written policy, legislative or legal analysis, and tactical suggestions, to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Independently analyze and draft bills, administrative rules/regulations, and comments at the state and local levels

Prepare and provide expert-level guidance and testimony on pending legislation before state and local legislative committees, administrative agencies, and other regulatory bodies

Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU of Illinois positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives

Conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials to advance priority ACLU of Illinois positions

Work with the Advocacy Team and community stakeholders to ensure that the program approach is informed by the voices, perspectives, and experiences of people who are directly impacted by the issues we address

Work with other ACLU affiliates on advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes as needed

Participate as an ACLU of Illinois representative in meetings, task forces, working groups, and coalitions

Provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other relevant publications

Build and maintain trusted, respectful, and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials

Qualification

Law degreeConstitutional law expertisePolicy development experienceLegislative analysisPublic policy familiarityResearch skillsInterpersonal skillsCommunication skillsFlexibilityAdaptabilityTeam collaboration

Required

Law degree required

At least 10 years of legal experience, with a minimum of 8 years of experience working in legislative, political, policy, legal, or government settings

Have a well-developed interest in a range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and the ability to master areas of law outside of their current expertise

High level, substantive, and extensive experience in policy development, including demonstrated ability to analyze legislative and regulatory policy, experience drafting and analyzing legislative language, and ability to recognize nuances in situations like bill drafting, communication, and negotiations with stakeholders

Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills

Flexibility and adaptability to navigate dynamic political landscapes and respond to evolving policy priorities

Demonstrated ability to think creatively and to independently explore and develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges

Ability to synthesize information, take direction and guidance, and follow through and complete assignments, meeting often strict deadlines

Proven ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines on a tight timeline, while maintaining strong attention to detail

Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills to reach a broad range of stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials

Strong written and spoken communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues and translate technical information into everyday language accessible to a wide variety of audiences

Ability to be flexible, responsive, and a team player to meet the needs of the organization, and to work independently when needed

Be highly collaborative with the desire to consult and share information with colleagues, and skills to respectfully resolve differences

Experience giving advice and counsel to leadership, department, and project staff

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Must be able to lift up to ten pounds at times

Preferred

Demonstrated expertise in constitutional law

Extensive knowledge of current policy questions related to civil liberties

High degree of familiarity with public policy, legislative, and/or administrative processes

Benefits

15 days of paid vacation in the first year and 20 days of paid vacation thereafter.

100% employer-paid premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents.

6% employer-paid retirement contribution after 1 year without any employee contribution, plus 50% employer retirement match of the first $3,000 the employee contributes.

100% employer-paid life insurance; employee assistance program; short and longterm disability insurance.

Paid parental leave after 1 year.

Flexible spending accounts.