Policy Strategist

Department: Advocacy

Reports to: Advocacy Director

Location: Hybrid (New Orleans Office); must reside in Louisiana

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Union Status: Bargaining Unit Position

About the Role

The ACLU of Louisiana seeks a Policy Strategist who is primarily responsible for developing and implementing integrated strategies to steward relationships, manage coalition work, and provide policy expertise in our core pillar areas (criminal legal reform, police accountability, immigration, voting rights, civil rights and civil liberties) to advance ACLU of Louisiana advocacy plans and priority issue responses through an integrated advocacy model in collaboration with our communications and legal departments. Individuals must be prepared to respond to advocacy needs and policy proposals in both oral and written legislative testimony, ordinance and bill analysis and drafting, and the creation of related advocacy reports and materials. Expertise and/or a willingness to learn all areas of our advocacy work is required - criminal legal reform, police accountability, immigration, and voting rights. Data analysis and visualization is also highly preferred in order to communicate our work to the public.

Key Responsibilities

Fully engage in Louisiana’s legislative session, with the most intensive legislative work occurring January through June (approximately 80–90% of annual session-related responsibilities), while continuing policy strategy, coalition management, and advocacy implementation throughout the remainder of the year.

• Complete pre-session bill review and analysis.
• Identify priority area bills for support or defense.
• Prepare oral and written testimony to present to the public and legislators in committee or through floor notes.
• Travel to Baton Rouge for committee hearings and floor debates as needed during the session.
• Establish and advance relationships with legislators, staff, and aligned coalition partners.
• Engage with organizers and other aligned strategists prior to session to prepare for session work, during session through weekly coordinating meetings, and after session to analyze impacts of session.

Assist implementation of strategic, effective advocacy plans for civil liberties (50% annually)

•  Conduct policy research on priority ACLU of Louisiana issues and act as an in-house expert on criminal legal reform, police accountability, voting, immigration, and emergent civil rights and civil liberties issues related to reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and First Amendment issues.
•  Support the creation of short-term (year or session-based) and long-term (multi-year) advocacy plans by integrating data with policy, communications, legal, and development strategies.
• Collect and analyze relevant data and compile research to support policy recommendations and targeted advocacy actions.
• Coordinate efforts in response to national ACLU requests for action and grow the ACLU’s base of support for priority issues through strategic public education and advocacy tactics.
• Based on affiliate strategies, draft, gain sponsorship, and build support and endorsements for proactive legislation or policies.

Deploy a broad array of policy strategies to achieve targeted outcomes (outside of the Louisiana Legislature) (20% annually)

• Establish and advance relationships with elected officials, key leaders and policymakers, and related governmental bodies at the state, local, and federal levels to support advocacy efforts.
• Identify, track, and analyze various administrative, judicial, and legislative proposals including local ordinances and agency policies. Draft ACLU-specific responses in support or opposition to proposals, prepared with data to support the position of the affiliate.
• Conduct research and submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or public records requests to government offices and entities to collect data for analysis to create informed advocacy plans and responses.
• Research and draft various materials including issue specific tool-kits, fact sheets, issue papers, online Action Alerts, and blog posts on ACLU of Louisiana priority issues.
• Assist ACLU-LA in visualizing data and its impacts for communications and community education.

Participate in coalitions on behalf of the ACLU of Louisiana and develop relationships with allies and other organizations to further advocacy goals (30% annually)

•  Grow the ACLU of Louisiana’s role in coalition advocacy through building relationships and demonstrating policy expertise in voting rights and immigration issue areas.
• Guide the ACLU of Louisiana’s role in strategic coalitions and maintain its status and influence among partners, as well as, work on shared legislative and policy priorities.
• Represent the ACLU of Louisiana at stakeholder meetings, legislative hearings, community forums, and other public events.
• Speak publicly at state and local forums, conferences, and meetings.

Support additional projects, priorities, and responsibilities as assigned to advance the mission and strategic goals of the ACLU of Louisiana.

Qualifications

Required

• College graduate
• Two  or more years of hands-on advocacy on legislative or policy changes at the federal, state, or local level.
• Proven ability to distill complicated information into digestible material for public consumption, as well as, research, write, and develop strategies to change policy and law.
• Demonstrated  ability to work independently as needed and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Identifiable  experience working in coalition, including developing shared plans, coordinating communications, and managing dynamics among partner groups.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate using empirical data and anecdotal evidence to persuade audiences through writing and public speaking.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration – sharing responsibility and credit.
• Commitment to racial justice, equity, inclusion, and the mission of the ACLU.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Willingness and availability to travel throughout Louisiana, at times, on short notice and fully participate in the Louisiana legislative session in Baton Rouge - including registering as a lobbyist in the state.
• Must be physically present in our New Orleans office 2 days per week.

Preferred

•  Juris Doctorate or Master’s level work in policy or public administration OR comparable employment experience with policy or public administration work

Other

• If you feel like you meet 75% of these metrics we encourage you to apply.
• Prior experience or education in data analysis and visualization may be considered in lieu of hands-on policy experience with ability to compile data from various public records and manage and create dashboards.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000-80,000

The ACLU of Louisiana offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including generous paid time off, health insurance, a retirement plan with employer match, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The ACLU of Louisiana is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system.

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000