I don’t post job listings here often, but since many Bleeding Heartland readers have substantial public policy experience and are interested in the issues at the core of the American Civil Liberties Union’s work, I wanted to spread the word that the ACLU of Iowa is hiring a policy director. The full job listing is after the jump. The non-profit organization will accept applications through June 26, with the goal of filling the position by August.

The eventual hire will be “responsible for advancing the ACLU’s broad civil liberties agenda before the state legislature, executive branch, and local governmental bodies,” leading policy projects related to “areas including but not limited to voting rights, racial justice, criminal justice reform, immigrant’s rights, free speech, reproductive freedom, women’s rights, LGBT rights and privacy rights.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU of Iowa) seeks a sophisticated, dynamic team player with lobbying and policy experience to fill the position of Policy Director. The Policy Director is a member of the ACLU of Iowa’s senior leadership team and is responsible for advancing the ACLU’s broad civil liberties agenda before the state legislature, executive branch, and local governmental bodies. The Policy Director is also responsible for assuming leadership over related policy projects.

The ACLU of Iowa, the statewide affiliate of the national ACLU, is a private, nonprofit organization that defends civil liberties and civil rights through litigation, legislation, and public education, in areas including but not limited to voting rights, racial justice, criminal justice reform, immigrant’s rights, free speech, reproductive freedom, women’s rights, LGBT rights and privacy rights. Our office is located in downtown Des Moines, near the Iowa Capitol.

The Policy Director works under the supervision of the Executive Director and in close collaboration with other staff, including the Legal, Advocacy, and Communications Directors. Our office follows an integrated advocacy model, using legislative, legal, advocacy and communications strategies to achieve significant statewide civil liberties impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Oversee the ACLU of Iowa’s legislative program at the state and local levels, as well as local, non-legislative policy work (e.g., policies of municipalities and counties impacting civil liberties);
• Develop and implement the ACLU of Iowa’s state legislative agenda utilizing appropriate strategies and tactics, lobby members of the legislature, their staff, and the Governor’s office, analyze and track legislation that affects civil liberties, identify opportunities for support on ACLU issues from across the political spectrum, draft amendments and present the ACLU’s position on legislation at public subcommittee meetings;
• Cultivate relationships with key elected and appointed officials, staff, policy makers and related governmental bodies and leaders;
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Advocacy Director to leverage coalition relationships and build effective issue campaign strategies in support of ACLU priorities;
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Legal Director to plan and implement effective multi-disciplinary policy initiatives;
• Manage contract lobbyists or other professionals hired to assist with lobbying activities;
• Work in partnership with staff from associations and other organizations to further the ACLU of Iowa’s policy and legislative agenda;
• Represent the ACLU of Iowa at meetings, public events, and forums;
• Identify and implement strategic opportunities to advance the ACLU of Iowa policy agenda at the local level, with an eye toward statewide impact;
• Research and draft legislative materials, including white papers, talking points, issue briefs, and reports;
• Research and prepare policy materials on a wide array of civil liberties issues including policy analysis and draft policies (recent examples of this type of work include drafting adaptable policies by law enforcement on the appropriate use of tasers, city and state traffic camera policies, jail and prison transgender inmate policies, and professional exam accommodations for breast-pumping test-takers);
• Research and draft public education materials, including email-based action alerts and website updates;
• Respond to media requests on legislative and policy issues;
• Work collaboratively with the national ACLU and other ACLU affiliates to advance national ACLU policy campaigns, including work with Iowa’s Congressional delegation;
• Attend national and regional ACLU training and staff conferences;
• Serve as staff liaison to relevant Board of Directors Committees; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• J.D. required, along with at least one year of experience in political, legislative or policy related work, preferably in Iowa;
• Understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission and goals;
• Understanding of the legislative and state agency rulemaking processes in Iowa;
• Ability to work with local and state stakeholders to leverage local policy gains for broad state-wide impact;
• Experience working in and with coalitions;
• 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;
• Exceptional initiative, vision and ability to develop and implement short and long-term integrated legislative and policy strategies;
• Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across programs and functions;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse coalitions and community groups, work across the political spectrum, and value differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances;
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards of lobbying and professionalism; and
• Ability to work long hours during legislative session, full time during interim, and commute to meetings and events throughout the state, as needed.

COMPENSATION:
The salary range for this position is: $60,000-$75,000. Excellent benefits offered, including health and dental insurance plan, life and long-term disability insurance; 401(k); sick, vacation and holiday leave.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Submit via email a letter of interest, resume, professional writing sample of no longer than 10 pages, and three professional references (including their email address, phone number, and relationship to you). Combining these materials in one PDF document is strongly preferred. Application materials can be directed to Jeremy Rosen, at jobs@ACLU-IA.org.
Please put “Policy Director” in the subject line of your email. Also, please indicate in your letter of interest where you heard about this job.

DEADLINE:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to ensure full consideration, please apply no later than Sunday, June 26. The organization hopes to hire a full time Policy Director by August 2016.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.