Public Policy Director-ACLU of Maryland

Affiliate Offices
Maryland

June 22, 2012
Position Announcement
PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR
ACLU OF MARYLAND
 
The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland (ACLU) seeks a sophisticated, dynamic team player with lobbying and policy advocacy experience to fill the position of Public Policy Director. The Public Policy Director is a member of the ACLU of Maryland’s senior leadership team and is responsible for advancing the ACLU’s broad civil liberties agenda--including criminal justice, racial justice, religious liberty, privacy, reproductive rights, and freedom of expression--before the Maryland General Assembly, the executive branch, and local governmental bodies, as well as some work with the Maryland federal delegation.  
The ACLU is a private, nonprofit organization that defends the civil liberties and civil rights of Marylanders through litigation, legislation, and public education. The Public Policy Director will advocate for the policies of the ACLU through planning and implementing legislative strategies, analyzing and drafting legislation, lobbying state and local policymakers, preparing and presenting testimony and supporting advocacy material, working in and building coalitions, and engaging ACLU members and leaders to advance our advocacy priorities. The Public Policy Director works under the supervision of the Executive Director and in close collaboration with other staff, including the Legal and Communications Director, and the Education Reform Program’s staff. In addition, the Public Policy Director oversees the Board of Director’s Legislative Committee and Issue Action Teams. 
The office is collegial; the work is challenging and varied, as well as rewarding. 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop strategies and oversee the implementation of the ACLU’s public policy agenda at the state, city, and county levels, including the ACLU of Maryland’s key issues of educational equity, reducing mass incarceration, LGBT rights (including marriage equality), immigrants’ rights and fair housing;
  • Identify, track and analyze all legislation before the Maryland General Assembly that affects civil liberties; lobby members of the legislature, their staff and the Governor’s office; prepare and deliver testimony and supporting material; work in coalition and identify opportunities for bipartisan support on ACLU issues;
  • Research and analyze legislation and draft bills and amendments in collaboration with the Legal Director and staff attorneys;
  • Cultivate relationships with key elected and appointed officials, policy makers and related governmental bodies and leaders;
  • Monitor and lobby civil liberties issues during the legislative interim, including attending legislative hearings and participating in legislative workgroups;
  • Oversee or carry out lobbying efforts before local government agencies in Maryland and before administrative agencies;
  • Prepare and edit policy and advocacy materials in collaboration with the Communications Director, including action alerts, talking points, issue briefs, letters, press statements, opinion editorials, website updates and legislative and public policy reports;
  • Respond to media requests on public policy activity.  In collaboration with the Director of Communications develop messaging, initiate press conferences, and speak publicly on the ACLU’s behalf at events and forums;
  • Lead ACLU efforts to enhance our presence statewide by mobilizing members, volunteers and activists to participate in advocacy around policy initiatives, attend strategy meetings and events in legislators’ districts, and work with local media to promote ACLU’s public policy priorities;
  • Work in partnership with organizations and build coalitions to further the ACLU’s public policy agenda;
  • Oversee the work of the ACLU of Maryland Board of Director’s Legislative Committee and Action Teams;
  • Work with the national ACLU to advance national public policy campaigns and other ACLU affiliates regarding legislative matters;
  • Work with development staff to build grasstop relationships with the Maryland federal delegation
  • Attend national and regional ACLU training and staff conferences;
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
 
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • B.A. required, a J.D. is desired; and at least 3 years of substantial experience being actively engaged in public policy development, legislative advocacy, or government affairs work. Demonstrated career progression with increasing roles of responsibility. Experience in non-profit groups is valuable;
  •  Ideal person will be proactive, adept with key tools in advocacy and policy change, understand political landscape, and be able to work effectively on issues that require bipartisan support;
  • Exceptional analytical, research, writing and oral advocacy skills, as well as the ability to articulate legal concepts and complex issues and communicate them tactfully and effectively to a variety of audiences;
  • Committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications;
  • Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, to manage several projects simultaneously, and to adjust strategy to frequently changing demands;
  • A demonstrated ability to work effectively with coalitions and community groups, motivate volunteers, work across the political spectrum, and value differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance;
  • Availability to work long hours and weekends during the General Assembly’s three-month session. Ability to commute to meetings and events in Annapolis and throughout the state;
  • Experience with and demonstrated understanding of Maryland legislative and budget process is strongly preferred;
  • Supervisory skills are strongly preferred;
  • Bilingual ability a plus.
 
COMPENSATION:
Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits offered, including generous health insurance plan, life and long-term disability insurance; 401(k); generous sick, vacation and holiday leave.
 
TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, three professional references and a short, two-page business writing sample by mail, fax or email to:
 
Hiring Committee: Public Policy Director
ACLU of Maryland
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 350
Baltimore, MD 21211
* Fax: 410 / 366-7838
 
Please put “Public Policy Director” in the subject line of your email or cover page in your fax. Also, please include a note about where you saw this job posting in your cover letter.
 
DEADLINE: Applicants will be reviewed beginning the week of June 30, 2012 and will be accepted until the position is filled.
 
The ACLU of Maryland is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.  We do not discriminate in employment based on any individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.  Moreover, the ACLU of Maryland aggressively seeks to hire racial minorities and to broaden diversity in others areas, including sexual orientation, disability, and age.
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