The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC) seeks a Senior Policy Advocate.
The ACLUF-SDIC is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) civil liberties and civil rights organization. working to advance equality, freedom and justice through public education and litigation. Together with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that does our legislative lobbying work, we are a prominent force for the protection and expansion of fundamental rights in California’s second-most populous county (San Diego) and the county with the highest per capita Latina/o population (Imperial).
With affiliate offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the ACLU fights tirelessly in courts, in legislatures, and in communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and
liberties guaranteed by the United States Constitution and U.S. laws to everyone in this country. The work of the ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (known collectively as ACLU-SDIC) encompasses the length of California’s border with Mexico. We collaborate with the National ACLU and with ACLU affiliates in California, on the U.S-Mexico border and throughout the United States. We strive to partner with community organizations and groups across the state and throughout the binational border region.
After 15 months of intensive strategic planning for our future – led by the ACLU-SDIC leadership team, ACLU-SDIC is restructuring to become an integrated advocacy organization that operationalizes our theory of change and prioritizes racial and economic justice, liberation and abolition. We are building on the affiliate’s proven track record of success combining impact litigation, lobbying, legal/policy analysis and research, field organizing, donor mobilization, strategic communications and non-partisan voter engagement to achieve meaningful, lasting social change across our region.
The ACLU-SDIC is dedicated to confronting issues that threaten our most cherished civil rights and freedoms and defending the progress the ACLU has made over its 100-year history. And we are dedicated to working in relationship with people directly impacted by inequity to create a more just and fair society for us all.
Position Summary:
The Senior Policy Advocate will lead policy advocacy to address policing practices. Develop strategy grounded in a racial justice lens to advance policy campaigns, conduct research on policies, and work with an integrative advocacy team to advance campaign goals. This role is for a self-starter that likes to develop and implement strategy and is comfortable with having management responsibilities.
This position will be supervised by the Advocacy & Legal Director. The position may require travel and work on occasional weekends and evenings, as determined.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Identify opportunities for policy change at the local, state and national levels, with a focus on addressing biased policing;
- Strong understanding of racial, economic, and gender justice and their intersections, the systems and structures that cause ongoing harm in these areas — and experience working on these issues.
- Work with statewide ACLU teams to pursue policy changes to advance the organization’s agenda;
- Assist in policy research and fact-finding;
- Plan and execute policy briefings;
- Help build and manage a network of organizational and individual partners in relevant issue areas;
- Provide expertise to policymakers, the press, and coalition partners;
- Lead local policy advocacy campaigns;
- Assist in organizing and execution of coalition and community events;
- Complete assigned project-related tasks on an as-needed basis;
- Contribute to other projects as needed by the organization; and
- Other duties as assigned
Our Must Haves:
- Minimum seven years’ experience. Relevant experience may include advocacy, policy analysis, campaigning, etc.;
- Proven track record in developing and leading successful policy advocacy and/or political campaigns;
- Knowledge of state and local government politics;
- Ability to explain complex policy principles in simple terms;
- Technical Skills: Strong proficiency with the use of software platforms and high degree of comfort with multiple technology applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, databases, and website applications.
- Communications: Demonstrated ability to maintain high-quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with team members and organizational partners. Strong verbal and written communications. Ability to negotiate, compromise and problem solve in coalition settings.
Cultural Competencies:
Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction. Courage and impeccable integrity.
Physical Requirements:
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to exchange accurate information, detect/identify documents and the information contained in them, move between areas in and out of the office to complete their role. The employee may need to move various equipment including computer to their work location.
Travel Requirements: Must be able to travel as needed.
Compensation:
Salary range: $65,000 - $96,000
Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; 18 office holidays; medical and dental
insurance for staff members and their families; life and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k)
plan with employer match.
What Now?
Please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position as
detailed in this announcement, a current resume, writing sample, and names and contact
information of three professional references (including at least one supervisor).
Electronic applications are preferred. To submit your application, please click here.
However, hard-copy applications can be mailed to:
Deputy Director
ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties
P.O. Box 87131
San Diego, CA 92137-7131
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, veterans, and people with arrest records and/or convictions.
