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POLICY STRATEGIST – IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida  seeks a Policy Strategist for Immigrants’ Rights, to add to the organization’s existing policy team and enhance the ACLU’s ability to achieve public policy objectives related to immigration, immigrant’s rights and related issues.  

The ACLU of Florida, the state’s premier civil rights advocacy organization, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education and communications to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional issues and individual rights and freedoms, including immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, voting rights, the freedom of speech, racial justice, right to privacy, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ rights.

The ACLU of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation’s Bill of Rights. The national ACLU implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida. With offices in Jacksonville, Miami (headquarters), Pensacola, and Tampa, the Florida affiliate has a $5.5M operating budget and over 30 staff, placing it among the larger affiliates in the nation.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Policy Strategist will serve as a primary policy and advocacy expert on civil rights and civil liberties issues surrounding immigrants’ rights. The role is responsible for analyzing state and local immigration policies, supporting an impactful, non-partisan policy advocacy program, and developing a range of materials and trainings to utilize and disseminate research findings and recommendations for public policy.

The position will be based in one of the ACLU of Florida’s main offices in Tampa or Miami with some flexibility depending on the needs of the successful candidate and the ACLU of Florida. Candidates from either community are encouraged to apply. Frequent travel may be required. The position reports to the Legislative Director.

This is an ideal opportunity for a talented, experienced policy expert and advocate to have a significant impact on civil liberties and civil rights in Florida and nationwide. The professional who holds this position will have the opportunity to significantly influence the shape of a well- respected and effective organization’s advocacy initiatives.

POLICY APPROACH

The ACLU of Florida has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work. Work is focused on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights, while building the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement. For the foreseeable future, the ACLU of Florida will focus on three campaigns: voting rights, criminal justice reform, and immigrants’ rights. The campaigns in which the organization engages are about integrated advocacy, and include strategies across several disciplines including lobbying, communications, litigation and grassroots organizing.

As a result of this campaign approach, the ACLU of Florida’s policy and advocacy model focuses on developing and maintaining strong direct relationships with policy makers at the federal, state and local level, mobilizing influencers, political elites and organizations, and providing sound policy research. Advocacy at the ACLU of Florida centers the experiences and leadership of directly impacted people and engages directly impacted people in the work, while also ensuring that non-impacted allies engage in effective and substantive action. Further, our advocacy is oriented towards systemic change and policy action—moving decision-makers to make decisions that result in the advancement of specific campaign objectives. Our policy and advocacy department (PAD) focuses on strategic actions that take place in the electoral, legislative, and general public policy debate contexts, and contributes to the ACLU of Florida’s effort to build long-term political and community power for the civil liberties movement, so that civil liberties and civil rights are better protected and strengthened.

Areas of Responsibility: 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Track developing priority local ordinances, legislation, state administrative rules and similar public policies to ensure timely analysis and advocacy;
  • Provide analysis, backgrounders, talking points and other educational materials;
  • Prepare testimony, letters, and memoranda stating the ACLU’s position and/or best practices on local ordinances, resolutions, legislation, administrative rules and similar public policies related to immigrants’ rights;
  • Develop immigrants’ rights policy guidance and research immigrants’ rights policy issues;
  • Support partner engagement; recommend political and legislative strategies;
  • Contribute to creating voter education plans, strategies, actions and materials;
  • In collaboration with the Communications Department, develop persuasive and informative materials, including issue specific policy reports, fact sheets, action alerts, talking points, issue briefs, op-eds, and website updates, and recommend communications messaging and strategy;
  • In collaboration with the Field Department, develop and implement trainings that build the capacity of ACLU staff, members, and supporters to be strong leaders, advocates, and messengers for the civil liberties and civil rights movement;
  • In collaboration with the Director of State-wide Initiatives, work with chapters on advocacy strategies, plans and materials discussed above;
  • Communicate directly with legislators, staff, executive branch agencies, and local government officials from time to time, as necessary;
  • Serve as a spokesperson, as necessary.
Educational Background: 
Bachelor's Degree
Masters Degree
Skills/Experience: 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

While no one person will have all the qualities enumerated below, the successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and attributes:

  • Bachelor’s degree required. J.D., Masters degree or graduate work in public policy, law, social sciences, or related fields preferred, but two (2) additional years of experience can substitute for this preference.
  • At least three (3) years’ experience engaged in public policy development and advocacy in a public policy setting and/or legislative campaigns; preferably related to immigration or related issues;
  • Strong written and oral communications skills.
  • Exceptional organizational skills; highly detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
  • Fluency in a language other than English (esp. Spanish or Creole) is desired, but not required.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with software and technology tools (such as LobbyTools, Salesforce, Airtable and similar) is desired, but not required.
  • Creativeness, results-orientation, initiative, and willingness to learn are desired.
  • Strong task and time management skills are desired.
  • Unwavering commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU, including a demonstrated commitment to equity and racial justice.
Compensation/Benefits: 

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, within a salary range of $50,000-$70,000. The ACLU of Florida offers excellent benefits, including medical and disability insurance (fully paid by employer), a defined contribution pension plan, and generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

How to Apply: 

Please send cover letter, resume, and one writing sample by email to [email protected]. All inquiries should include “Policy Strategist - IR” in the subject line and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please.

Additional Information: 

This job description provides a general, but not comprehensive, list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Florida reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Florida 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, or veteran status. We encourage formerly incarcerated individuals to apply. If selected for an interview, please advise if financial assistance is needed in order to attend.

The ACLU of Florida undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.

Organization Info

American Civil Liberties Union of Florida

Overview
Headquarters: 
Miami, FL, USA
About Us
Programs: 

The ACLU of Florida is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, communications, and organizing to protect and promote a broad range of individual rights and freedoms, including the freedom of speech, voting rights, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrants’ rights.

Why Work For Us?: 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a national public interest organization devoted to the defense of the Bill of Rights.  For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has served as the nation’s primary protector of the liberties that define our democracy.   The organization implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida. Operating on a $5.4 million budget out of four offices—Miami (main), Tampa, Pensacola, and Jacksonville—the Florida affiliate has 36 staff members, making it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.

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Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Nov 27 2019
Active Until: 
Dec 27 2019
Hiring Organization: 
American Civil Liberties Union of Florida
industry: 
Nonprofit