Legislative Assistant, Policy & Government Affairs

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Legislative Assistant in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across Reproductive Freedom, Democracy and Voting Rights, Systemic Equality, Immigration, Trans Justice, Criminal Justice and other core issues in order to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and advance the freedom, equality, ability to prosper, and humanity of all people. 

Our department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts world class campaigns and situates the ACLU to have impact across legislative, administrative, and electoral levers. We are policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, electoral specialists, program managers and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts, and support and amplify the priorities of our affiliates. We work to center principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our approach.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

The Legislative Assistant will report to the National Director of Policy and Government Affairs and support the work of the entire Policy & Government Affairs division, which houses four subdivisions working on federal and state policy and advocacy.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Support the National Director and Deputy Director of Policy & Government Affairs in managing the workflow of the team 
• Help develop materials regarding ACLU policy positions for use in legislative briefings, advocacy events, issue campaigns, etc. 
• Track political news and draft an internal weekly newsletter
• Track, summarize, and archive legislative, regulatory, and policy positions using a specialized legislative database and submit correspondence to Congress and federal agencies via “Hill blasts” 
• Attend legislative hearings and briefings, as needed, and provide summary reports 
• Handle general administrative duties including scheduling and arranging travel for team’s leadership; processing and tracking expense reports and invoices, data entry, maintaining filing systems, and ordering supplies 
• Provide logistical support for team events, scheduling and arranging meetings, conference calls and webinars; coordinating catering and audio-visual requests; developing agendas; preparing materials; and taking and summarizing minutes 
• Process and track budget-related matters, including travel expenses and other budget functions of the team including but not limited to budget input and reconciliation, grant processing, review and follow-up 
• Process procurement and general expense submission and reconciliation 
• Conduct research and prepare talking points and presentations for the National Director for internal and external audiences
• Draft correspondence and other materials as requested; respond to written and verbal inquiries, as directed 
• Ensure key ACLU positions and documents are archived, and that vote recommendations on federal legislation are included in the ACLU scorecard 
• Prepare, proofread, and edit documents 
• Provide support for the managers’ review of applications and overall hiring process for staff and intern positions, as well as support for the management of interns, including onboarding and communication of guidance on projects 
• Support team in accessing general ACLU operating policies and procedures 
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary in order to adapt to changing external environment 
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

 

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• Demonstrated track record of success in complex, dynamic work environments with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team 
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to exercise a high level of discretion, confidentiality, and professional integrity. 
• Exceptional writing and verbal skills with ability to synthesize information 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and internet research tools 
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence to navigate a large department and complex organization and engage stakeholders at all levels 
• Experience with issue advocacy at the federal, state, or local level a plus 
• Familiarity with legislative tracking software such as Quorum a plus 

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage 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, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

 

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please complete the Accommodation Request Form

If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

 

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.