Policy Counsel

Position Overview:

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Georgia (ACLU-GA) is seeking a full-time Policy Counsel 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 will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day legislative advocacy efforts, including tracking bills, drafting legislation, and coordinating advocacy initiatives. The Policy Counsel will play a key role in advancing the ACLU-GA’s legislative priorities by drafting a wide range of communication materials to clearly 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.
• 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. While the Director is the main point of contact, the Policy Counsel ensures that legislative efforts are well-coordinated and implemented.
• Work with coalition partners and stakeholders to advance legislative goals, fostering partnerships with relevant organizations and communities.
• 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
• 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.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience, including 1-3 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.