Researcher & Policy Advocate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Policy Counsel/Policy Advocate Department: Policy & Advocacy
Reports to: Policy & Advocacy Director

Position Overview:

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Georgia (ACLU-GA) is seeking a full-time Policy Counsel/Policy Advocate to manage legislative efforts at the state, county, and municipal levels. As the state affiliate of the national ACLU, our mission is to preserve and expand the individual rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constitution, and related civil rights laws.

Under the direction of the Policy & Advocacy Director, the Policy Counsel/Policy Advocate will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day legislative advocacy efforts, including tracking bills, drafting and analyzing legislation, and coordinating advocacy initiatives. The Policy Counsel/Policy Advocate will play a key role in advancing the ACLU-GA's legislative priorities by drafting materials to articulate ACLU-GA's policy positions to various audiences.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of legislative activities at the state, county, and municipal levels. Track and analyze key bills, manage advocacy campaigns, and develop legislative materials.
• Work closely with the Policy & Advocacy Director to develop and refine policy strategies.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis to draft bills, amendments, and related materials. Provide clear, concise legislative analysis to support advocacy efforts that align with the ACLU-GA's mission.
• Prepare a variety of materials to communicate the ACLU of Georgia's policy positions, including factsheets, policy briefs, memos, talking points, speeches, testimony, and other related content. Ensure these materials are well-researched, accessible, and effectively convey the organization's stances to policymakers, the public, and coalition partners.
• Deliver testimony and public comment in front of legislative bodies on priority issues.
• Execute advocacy strategies and action plans to advance ACLU-GA's policy agenda at multiple levels of government. Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to ensure cohesive advocacy efforts.
• Support the Policy & Advocacy Director by preparing legislative materials, testimonials and briefs for meetings with legislators.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials and their staff and engage them on priority issues.
• Collaborate with other departments within the ACLU to ensure that legislative advocacy is integrated with legal strategies, public education, and community engagement.

Desired Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with state, county, and municipal legislative processes in Georgia.
• Superb ability to conduct legal and policy research skills, draft legislative documents, and analyze complex legislation.
• Experience drafting factsheets, policy briefs, memos, talking points, speeches, and testimony to communicate policy positions effectively.
• Expertise in managing legislative advocacy efforts.
• Ability to critically assess legislative developments and provide expert recommendations to advance ACLU-GA's policy goals.
• Strong communication skills for working with government officials, coalition partners, and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple legislative initiatives simultaneously and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Familiarity with platforms like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Asana.
• Familiarity with legislative tracking software like Fast Democracy.
• Ability to work long hours and commute to meetings and events throughout the state, as needed.
• A demonstrable commitment to civil liberties and civil rights.
• Ability to work with and center historically marginalized or oppressed communities of different cultures and backgrounds. This includes having a mature understanding of how structural racism, sexism, and prejudice against all kinds of marginalized communities pervade our society.
  

Required Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.P.) or equivalent experience in policy analysis, legal advocacy, or legislative work.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience, including 1-2 years of experience with legislative drafting, lobbying, or policy development.
• Experience working in political, legal, or governmental settings, with a strong understanding of public policy and legislative processes.

Hybrid/Remote Office Schedule:

The ACLU of Georgia operates in a hybrid work environment. Staff are required to work in person at the Atlanta office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. Remote work is permitted on other days, provided job responsibilities are met.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of working on a computer.

Compensation:

The ACLU of Georgia offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLUGA's compensation scale. The anticipated salary range for this position is $75,000-$90,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, sick time, and holidays; medical, vision and dental insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; Flexible Spending Account; Qualified Student Loan Payment Match; and 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement.

The ACLU Foundation of Georgia is an equal opportunity / fair chance employer. We value

a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLUF-GA encourages applications

from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual

orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship,

disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. This offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of the E-Verify process and verification of employment eligibility.