Civil Rights Jobs in Laurel, MD (NOW HIRING)

Job Location

This position is based in Washington D.C., with travel to other states required.

The Opportunity

Equal Rights Advocates (ERA) dedicates itself to the fight for gender equality and justice through impact litigation, policy reform, and community outreach movement-building at the state and federal levels. The Advocacy Manager position offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of advancing ERA's mission by expanding and strengthening ERA's policy work and other advocacy strategies in the states and at the federal level.

As an Advocacy Manager, you will track state and federal policy trends, as well as identify, develop and implement legislative and other policy reform strategies at the federal and state levels, with a concentration on ERA's efforts to advance gender equality and economic security for all. You will seize opportunities to engage with lawmakers, regulators, and agency officials through testimony, comment letters, advocacy materials, and direct meetings. You will also collaborate with allied organizations to strengthen ERA's coalition and community mobilization efforts.

ERA's 501(c)(4): ERA has recently launched a 501(c)(4) entity to support state and national policy and campaigns called Equal Rights Advocates Action Fund (ERA-AF). The Advocacy Manager/Advocacy Counsel will contribute to the lobbying, organizing, and activities of ERA-AF.

You will be a member of ERA's legal team and report to the VP of Policy and Advocacy.

Role Responsibilities

• Conduct legislative and/or other policy research.
• Monitor and respond to developing gender justice, economic security, and civil rights issues in proposed federal and state legislation or agency action.
• Secure, draft and deliver legislative testimony at the federal and state levels.
• Draft and create materials related to ERA's substantive priorities, including but not limited to reports, one-pagers, slides, talking points, etc.
• Organize and participate in briefings with Members of Congress, state legislators, and federal or state agency officials and their staff on ERA's substantive priorities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with ERA stakeholders as well as internally.
• Build, strengthen and participate in national coalitions, partnerships and taskforces working to advance gender justice, economic security, and civil rights.
• Assume a leading and strategic role in national and state coalition campaigns consistent with ERA's priorities, including lobbying, communications and grassroots outreach.
• Collaborate with ERA's attorneys and staff members to align policy advocacy with litigation strategies and community outreach efforts. (Work collaboratively with ERA's attorneys, other ERA staff members to advance national and state).
• Organize and participate in legislation briefings and virtual webinars/presentations.
• Assume a leading and strategic role in national and state coalition campaigns consistent with ERA's priorities, including lobbying, communications and grassroots outreach.
• Support lobbying, organizing, and campaign activities of ERA-AF.
• Travel periodically within the U.S. for legislative hearings, state campaigns, and national convenings.
• Other duties as assigned within the general scope of the position.

Qualifications & Skills

• At least 5 years of relevant policy advocacy experience, ideally in gender justice, economic security, or civil rights.
• Demonstrated success moving policy at the federal and/or state level.
• Experience working in or with Congress (as a staffer or equivalent) or a state legislature.
• Proven track record working with or within coalitions, networks and campaigns, including managing diverse stakeholders and aligning partners around shared goals.
• Experience analyzing regulations and drafting regulatory comments.
• Experience planning and hosting Congressional or state equivalent in person and virtual briefings.

• Strong project management, critical thinking, and advanced analytical skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to translate complex policy into clear, compelling materials.

• Demonstrated commitment to gender justice.

• Prior experience working in or in partnership with 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations.
• Ability to engage in media interviews and engage in public speaking, i.e. on panels and presentations
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Willingness to travel periodically for national convenings, state campaigns, and legislative hearings

The following are a plus but not required:

• Experience working in a hybrid 501(c)3 and c(4) environment.
• Familiarity with pay equity, anti-discrimination, and anti-harassment laws and policies.

Other:

• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment with a geographically dispersed team.

• The position will require some travel to multiple locations as well as travel to ERA's headquarters in San Francisco as required for meetings and events.
• Candidate must have a valid authorization to work in the United States. ERA is unable to sponsor work visas. ERA will also not provide relocation assistance.

Compensation & Benefits

This position has an annual salary range of $90,000 - $120,000 dependent on experience and skill set.

ERA offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental plan options and employer-paid life and disability insurance benefits. Voluntary benefits include vision insurance, life and accidental insurance, critical illness and pre-tax flexible spending account. ERA also offers a generous 403b match. Employees also receive a generous amount of sick and vacation leave as well as additional seniority-based time-off every 5 years of employment.

How to Apply

Please submit the following to the Hiring Manager (1) acover letterdescribing your interest in this particular position and your connection to ERA's mission, (2) acurrent resume, (3) a writing sample reflecting your advocacy initiative that has not been significantly edited by others.For consideration, applications must be submitted by clicking HERE. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates will be contacted based on the decision. Please note that final round candidates will be asked to provide professional references. We look forward to hearing from you!

About ERA

Equal Rights Advocates (ERA) is a national civil rights organization founded in 1974 to expand economic and educational access and opportunities for women and girls. ERA embraces an inclusive and intersectional view of gender justice, inclusive of trans, non-binary and gender expansive people, and we also challenge power structures and inequities compounded by race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, age, and other identities. Since its inception, ERA has been on the frontlines of advancing gender justice through a combination of impact litigation, policy advocacy, public education, and direct legal services, bringing visibility to the experiences and voices of the people we represent.

Our talented team includes litigators, policy reformers, and movement builders working at the state, multi-state, and national level promoting gender equity and racial justice, expanding economic security, and growing community power. ERA's legal initiatives/networks include Equal Pay Today, The Stop Harassment State Network, the Initiative to End Gender-Based Violence, Gender Equity in Infrastructure, and the Stronger California Advocates Network.

ERA's home base is in San Francisco, California, with team members also located in Washington D.C. and other locations. For more information on Equal Rights Advocates, please visit the website: www.equalrights.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

ERA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that will consider all applications equally without regard to sex, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, medical condition, religion, sexual orientation, differing ability, veteran status, marital status, arrest or conviction record, a combination of two or more protected traits or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants with differing abilities will be reasonably accommodated during the search process. If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know.

ERA's Equal Opportunity Employer Policy applies to all aspects and phases of employment. Through this commitment, ERA strives daily to maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is supportive to all and free from discrimination. Applicants who need assistance or accommodation due to a disability may contact us atjobapplicants@equalrights.org.