Location: Washington,DC, USA
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA) seeks an experienced leader and policy advocate for the role of Director, Policy Advocacy Department (Director, PAD). Reporting to the Integrated Advocacy Director, the Director, PAD has two primary roles: management of the Policy Advocacy Department (approximately 60% of the work), and substantive policy advocacy as a generalist (approximately 40%). Our work centers on four major issue areas: racial and economic justice, criminal legal system reform, democracy (including the right to vote and protecting the First Amendment), and individual and personal rights and autonomy (including health care, education, technology and privacy, and freedom from discrimination).
OVERVIEWThe ACLU-WA is one of the largest affiliates of the nationwide ACLU. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend American rights to freedom, fairness, and equality. We envision a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil liberties and rights, lives with dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial and economic injustice and other forms of oppression. The ACLU is both nonprofit and nonpartisan. We have a staff of 50+ and nearly 60,000 supporters statewide.
Within the ACLU-WA, the Policy Advocacy Department works to effectuate change through state and local legislation, rulemaking, institutional policy change, community-driven advocacy, public education, coalition building and media work. Through our engagement with community stakeholders, we strive to center and amplify the voices, perspectives, and experiences of directly impacted communities and individuals. PAD uses an integrated advocacy approach, working collaboratively with the Legal, Political Strategies, and Communications teams to further its goals. PAD currently has 6 policy program directors specializing in substantive policy areas (criminal legal system, youth/education, technology and privacy, and health care), 1 policy analyst, and 1 associate.
The ACLU of Washington is committed to ending racism in Washington State and throughout the country. This includes how we work with each other, and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. We are committed to bringing anti-racism to all aspects of ACLU-WA's internal and external functions, including but not limited to recruitment; hiring and human resources; strategic planning; ally, donor, and volunteer relations; Board and committee processes; and deciding what cases to litigate and what legislation to support and oppose. We are looking for candidates who share this commitment to advancing racial justice, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIESRace EquityThis position will supervise 7 staff. The number of direct reports is subject to change as the team expands/contracts.
WORK ENVIRONMENTThe ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. This position is required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days per week.
Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSThe ACLU of WA is dedicated to centering equity in all aspects of the organization and, as such, has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees. The salary for this position is $160,982-$192,814. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.
Benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days, fifteen holidays, employer-paid professional development, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, an employer contributed retirement plan, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass.
ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective WiFi connection and a way to reach you by phone. This position is eligible for either a work phone or phone stipend, as well as an additional $150 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.
APPLICATION PROCEDURETo apply, please submit a cover letter, writing sample demonstrating legal or policy advocacy, and résumé on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work in their letter.
Applications will be accepted until noon on November 15, 2023, at which time the job announcement will be displayed as closed on our website at www.aclu-wa.org/careers.
HIRING TIMELINEWe will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the application deadline and hope to have the selected candidate start in February or March.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.#J-18808-Ljbffr