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About Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who don't profess any particular faith. It is a community that welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Position Summary

The Policy Counsel(or Senior Policy Counsel)works in collaboration with other members of the Public Policy department to help drive the state and federal public policy agenda that furthers the organization's goals.This position's primary focus will be supporting Americans United's state policy efforts, rather than its federal policy work, but tasks will be assigned as needed.The position reports to the Public Policy department's Managing Policy Counsel.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities willbe adjustedtomatchthe candidate's level of experience.

• Draft policy and advocacy materials, including legislation, AU and coalition letters,backgrounders,talking points,and reports.
• Perform necessary research and analysis,including onlegal and policy issues and current events; and develop, implement, and assess strategies to achieve policy goals at the state and federal level.
• Coordinate and lead cross-departmental advocacy initiatives with policy, organizing, communications, and legal strategies to advance church-state separation.
• RepresentAU with partner organizations,coalitions,state and federal policymakers and staff to build support for AU's policy goals.
• Track and analyze pending state and federal legislation and proposed regulations and policies related to church-state separation.
• Provide expert analysis and advice, including through collaboration with other departments, to develop strategies to educate people about relevant issues and work, mobilize people in support of our policy efforts, and further our litigation goals, and continuously build a knowledge base, to include tracking and monitoring relevant legal and policy trends.

Skills and Experience

*Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when theydon'tmeet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if youdon'tmatch 100% of these criteria.

Americans United seeks a candidate with a minimum of 1-2years of work experiencefor the Policy Counsel role. Candidates with 7 or more years of experience may qualify for the Senior Policy Counsel role.

Additionally, the candidate has:

• Experience with:
  • Conducting advocacy, legal research, analysis, writing in support of legislative and policy efforts, ideally involving church-state separation or other civil rights issues, and
  • workingwith coalitions and policymakers
• AJ.D., andis licensed to practice in the District of Columbia or eligible and willing to become a member of the bar of the District of Columbia.
• Strong organizational, analytical, writing,research,and speaking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team in an often fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate productively with stakeholders of differing viewpoints, work across diverse communities (e.g.race, age, class, LGBTQ+, religious/nonreligious), and integrate diversity,equityand inclusion into our work.
• Ability to producehigh-qualitylegal analysis and advocacy materials ondeadlineand with accuracy.
• Understanding ofthe legislative or regulatory process or policy advocacy strategies.
• Demonstrated interest in progressive advocacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and/or church-state separation.

The following skills and experience are preferred, but notrequired:

• Experience working as a legislative or executive staff member in state or federal government.
• Knowledge, experience, and/or existing networks related to church-state separation and/orinclusive religious freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, public education, and/or reproductive rights.
• Knowledge or experience working on state or federal budget or appropriations process
  

Americans United welcomesapplicantsof all genders, races, ethnicities, religionsandbeliefs, sexual orientations,gender identities,ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues and with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This is a hybrid position that primarily involves working from a home officeand/or professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools. It requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasionally move about within the workspace.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range forPolicy Counsel is$87,822- $109,777.The salary range for Senior Policy Counsel is$109,777 - $131,733.This stated range includes a 5% localitypay adjustment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The successful candidate's placement within that range will be consistent withAU's compensation framework, which is based on role placement and years of related experience.

Americans United offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid premiums for health care, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) with match, and commuter subsidy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AU is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. If you needan accommodationfor a disability to apply to this position, please let us know by emailinghr@au.org.

Application Information

We will only be accepting applications from candidates who currently live in or would be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area.