DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
ACLU OF CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO OFFICE
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

The American Civil Liberties Union of California seeks a sophisticated, dynamic team player with lobbying and policy advocacy experience to fill the position of Director of Legislative Affairs. The Director of Legislative Affairs is a member of the ACLU of California Sacramento office senior leadership team and is responsible for advancing the ACLU’s broad civil liberties policy agenda before the state legislature and state agencies.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE POSITION:
The ACLU is a private, nonprofit organization that defends civil liberties and civil rights through litigation, legislation, and public education. Each year, the ACLU of California reviews and responds to hundreds of bills introduced in the legislature, while also sponsoring or being substantially engaged in a dozen or more priority bills.

The Director of Legislative Affairs will advocate for the policies of the ACLU through planning and implementing legislative strategies, analyzing and drafting legislation, lobbying state policymakers, preparing and presenting testimony, and building coalitions. While carrying out direct responsibilities on legislation, the Director of Legislative Affairs will also supervise other full-time advocates and lobbyists.

The Director of Legislative Affairs works under the supervision of the ACLU of California Sacramento Office Director and in close collaboration with other staff in Sacramento and in the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, ACLU of Southern California, and ACLU of Northern California to bring the full array of legal, communications and organizing strategies to bear to impact state policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Identify, analyze, and track all legislation before the state legislature that affects civil liberties;
• Oversee the implementation of the ACLU’s legislative and public policy agenda with the state legislature and relevant state agencies;
• Develop integrated advocacy strategies to support key legislative priorities, in conjunction with attorneys and communications and organizing staff throughout the state;
• Supervise other full-time advocates and lobbyists, providing support and guidance on their legislative priorities and work products;
• Lobby members of the legislature, their staff, the Governor’s office and other state agencies;
• Prepare and deliver testimony before legislative and government committees;
• Identify and draft amendments and legislative proposals;
• Cultivate relationships with key elected and appointed officials, staff, policy makers and related governmental bodies and leaders;
• Work in partnership with organizations and build coalitions to further the ACLU’s legislative and public policy agenda;
• Prepare advocacy and policy materials including issue briefs, website updates and legislative and public policy reports;
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of the Sacramento office.

QUALIFICATIONS
• J.D. and at least seven years of substantial experience in political, legislative, advocacy or legal work, preferably in California;
• Commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, and goals, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications;
• Experience supervising full-time advocates, lawyers or policy staff, demonstrating the ability to provide adequate direction while also delegating.
• Exceptional analytical, research, writing and oral advocacy skills, as well as the ability to articulate legal concepts and complex issues and communicate them tactfully and effectively to a variety of audiences;
• Ability to recognize and balance a range of civil liberties interests and concerns, often competing ones, and to represent the nuanced and specific positions unique to the ACLU in the legislative process;
• Exceptional initiative, vision and ability to develop and implement short and long-term integrated legislative strategies;
• Ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands;
• Systems-oriented, focused on creating sustainable tools and practices that can benefit the management of the entire legislative agenda;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse elected officials, staff, coalitions and community groups across the political spectrum and in stressful situations;
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards of lobbying and professionalism;
• Ability to work long hours during the legislative session and occasional travel to meetings and events throughout the state, as needed.

COMPENSATION:
Salary depending on experience. Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation in addition 13 office holidays; medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members, their dependents and spouse/ domestic partner; life and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k) plan with employer match.

TO APPLY:
Please note: The ACLU of California is currently seeking candidates for two related positions: 1) Director of the ACLU of California Legislative Office and 2) Director of Legislative Affairs. Please indicate clearly which position you are applying for.
Send a cover letter, resume, three professional references and a professional short writing sample by mail, fax or email to:

ACLU of Northern California
Attn: Dir. of Legislative Affairs Search
39 Drumm Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Fax: 415-255-1478
Email: HR-Admin07@aclunc.org

Please put “Director of Legislative Affairs” in the subject line of your email or cover page in your fax. Also, please indicate in your cover letter where you saw this job.

DEADLINE:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We expect this new hire to begin in the fall of 2014, after the end of the current legislative season. We recommend applying as early as possible; interviews will begin in the summer after the Director of the Legislative Office has been selected.

The ACLU of California is proud to be an affirmative action employer.
All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are particularly urged to apply.