Location: 125 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
Application deadline: August 31, 2016

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, we are a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with eight chapters and regional offices and nearly 55,000 members across the state.

Our mission is to defend and promote the fundamental principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the New York Constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy, equality and due process of law for all New Yorkers.

We are committed to being an inclusive and respectful workplace. We encourage the successful performance of every staff member as we continue to support the NYCLU’s mission and strategic initiatives.

The NYCLU seeks qualified candidates for the position of Policy Counsel in the Advocacy Department.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Build expertise in criminal justice, education, and other NYCLU priorities
• Track and analyze state and city legislative and policy proposals
• Draft memoranda, reports, testimony, legislative proposals, and know your rights materials, based on research and legal and policy analyses
• Lobby state and city lawmakers and officials
• Work with the NYCLU Advocacy, Legislative, Legal, and Communications departments to develop and execute issue campaigns that advance NYCLU priorities
• Work with allies and coalitions to advance NYCLU priorities
• Represent the NYCLU including at community events, coalition meetings, and press conferences, and with the media

Qualifications:

• J.D. required
• Three to five years’ experience in public policy, law, or advocacy, preferably in work relating to criminal justice or education
• Excellent skills in legal and policy research and analysis
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with lawmakers, government officials, and coalition partners
• Demonstrated ability to explain complex issues clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences, including lawmakers, advocates, lawyers, journalists, and community members
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, lawmakers, and coalition partners
• Experience with legislative drafting a plus
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice

Application Procedure:
Please submit a cover letter with salary requirements, resume, and brief writing sample via email to: jobs@nyclu.org with “NYCLU Policy Counsel” in the subject field.

The NYCLU is proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages all applicants regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the diversity of the population that we serve at all levels within the organization.