ACLU of Washington
Legislative Advocate
ACLU of Washington, Seattle, WA
Legislative Advocate
Position Open Until Filled
First Review of Applicants Scheduled for September 30, 2024
The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff. Learn more about the ACLU-WA.
We are pleased to invite applicants for a full-time Legislative Advocate. The Legislative Advocate will support the advancement of the ACLU of Washington's civil liberties and civil rights legislative agenda in the state capitol and ensures effective engagement with state and local legislators, executive branch agencies, local governmental bodies, and the Washington state Congressional delegation. The Legislative Advocate serves as a partner and consultant to staff across the ACLU-WA in the development of legislative strategy and tactics. The Legislative Advocate reports to the Legislative Director and is a member of the Political Strategies Department.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
CLASSIFICATION: 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 approved up to one (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE) and is "exempt" under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The position requires maintaining some physical file records and word processing and is expected to observe an in-person hybrid workstyle. This position is required to work in the office a minimum of two (2) days per week
MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a 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.
The salary for this position is $100,290 to $120,121. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.
BENEFITS: Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days with an additional ten days given in 2024, 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 Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate 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 PROCEDURE: To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé, three (3) professional references and responses to any supplemental questions 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 you to include in your cover letter information about how your background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.
HIRING TIMELINE: This position is open until filled with the first review of candidate applications scheduled for September 30, 2024. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.
REFERENCES: Please submit with your application three (3) professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment is extended before conducting reference checks.
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.
Position Open Until Filled
First Review of Applicants Scheduled for September 30, 2024
The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff. Learn more about the ACLU-WA.
We are pleased to invite applicants for a full-time Legislative Advocate. The Legislative Advocate will support the advancement of the ACLU of Washington's civil liberties and civil rights legislative agenda in the state capitol and ensures effective engagement with state and local legislators, executive branch agencies, local governmental bodies, and the Washington state Congressional delegation. The Legislative Advocate serves as a partner and consultant to staff across the ACLU-WA in the development of legislative strategy and tactics. The Legislative Advocate reports to the Legislative Director and is a member of the Political Strategies Department.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work full-time in Olympia during legislative session to advance the ACLU-WA's legislative agenda. In collaboration with the Legislative Director, build and maintain trusted relationships with state and local legislators, key staff, executive branch decision makers, and key legislative, executive, and agency staff.
- Learn and persuasively communicate the ACLU-WA's program priorities and positions. In consultation with the Legislative Director, respond to requests for ACLU-WA perspectives, exercising discretion with confidential information, and providing clear, nonpartisan, fact-based analysis and resources.
- Assist with the development of the ACLU-WA's state legislative campaign goals and the creation of strategies and messaging to advance them in Olympia.
- Review external legislative proposals and their intersections with civil liberties and ACLU-WA's current legislative priorities. Collaborate with the Legislative Director to assess the political viability of legislative proposals and communicate information to other ACLU-WA staff.
- Attend committee hearings, take notes, testify, and provide political analysis and information to ACLU-WA policy, communications, political and legal staff.
- Contribute to a culture that: centers race and other forms of equity; encourages respect, compassion, and courageous engagement; and acknowledges and values the humanity of all.
- Attend various ACLU-WA functions and handle other projects as assigned.
- In coordination with the Legislative Director and other ACLU-WA team members, represent the ACLU-WA to coalition partners and before community, government, and academic groups.
- Support coordination of witness testimony, activist and coalition mobilization, and communications strategies to advance the ACLU-WA's legislative agenda.
- Engage with media as external spokesperson for the ACLU-WA as appropriate.
- With the Legislative Director, provide political analysis and support to ACLU-WA staff developing issue briefs, action alerts, and talking points.
- Work with Policy Advocacy Program Directors and Legislative Director to coordinate advocacy on non-priority bills that the ACLU-WA supports and ensure consistent messaging to decision makers and effective distribution of ACLU-WA resources.
- Work with Legislative Director to develop lobbying plans and integrate with internal and coalition campaign plans to advance legislative priorities.
- Utilize various communication and project management platforms to build team unity, clear communication, and cohesive data management.
- Participate in ACLU-WA's race equity work. This may include utilizing ACLU-WA race equity tools and adopting ACLU-WA race equity practices.
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies that center the voices and lived experiences of communities directly impacted by structural oppression.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
- An awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, race equity and inclusion; a personal approach that values the individual; contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences
- Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties.
- An understanding of racial justice issues and experience with the development and implementation of advocacy strategies that center the voices and lived experiences of directly affected communities.
- Successful experience working in collaboration and coalition with community partners and allies from diverse backgrounds; a depth of understanding and experience with the nuances and potential conflicts inherent in collaborating across communities, especially when those communities have experienced marginalization and are directly impacted by constantly shifting potential outcomes.
- Excellent relationship skills to develop allies and to facilitate communication and collaboration among them. Demonstrated ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum.
- Demonstrated ability to lead issue advocacy in a state legislature; the ability to assess political dynamics, develop and support execution of effective campaign plans, identify necessary pivots, and maintain relationships with decision makers, key staff, advocates, and community partners throughout.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; a "quick study" on an array of dynamic issues.
- The ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment both in the office and on the road, to manage several projects simultaneously, and to adjust to frequently changing demands.
- A track record of good judgment.
- Strong relationships with state lawmakers or executive branch decision makers and staff required.
- Deep familiarity with the legislative process and the development of legislative strategy.
- Demonstrated experience executing and adjusting strategy to advance a legislative proposal from beginning to end.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a registered lobbyist engaging with decision makers. Experience with electoral advocacy a plus.
- A focus on civil rights, civil liberties, criminal legal system reform, democracy reform, individual rights and personal autonomy (including health care, education, and technology/surveillance issues), and/or racial and economic justice is strongly preferred.
- Be committed to advancing the mission, vision and values of the ACLU-WA;
- Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives; and
- Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
CLASSIFICATION: 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 approved up to one (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE) and is "exempt" under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The position requires maintaining some physical file records and word processing and is expected to observe an in-person hybrid workstyle. This position is required to work in the office a minimum of two (2) days per week
MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a 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.
- Able to periodically work long and extended hours.
- Able to be in Olympia (65 miles from Seattle) on a daily basis during the two- to four-month state legislative session.
- Outside of legislative session, the position must be based within regular commuting distance of the ACLU-WA's Seattle office, and have the ability to periodically travel throughout the state during the year.
- Able to input information into a computer for long periods of time.
- Able to assess information communicated through a computer.
- Able to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
The salary for this position is $100,290 to $120,121. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.
BENEFITS: Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days with an additional ten days given in 2024, 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 Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate 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 PROCEDURE: To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé, three (3) professional references and responses to any supplemental questions 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 you to include in your cover letter information about how your background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.
HIRING TIMELINE: This position is open until filled with the first review of candidate applications scheduled for September 30, 2024. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.
REFERENCES: Please submit with your application three (3) professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment is extended before conducting reference checks.
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.