Senior Policy Counsel or Policy Counsel - Criminal Legal Reform, Post-Arrest
Company: New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation
Location: New York
Posted on: March 14, 2025
|
|
Job Description:
Description:Position: Senior Policy Counsel or Policy Counsel -
Criminal Legal Reform, Post-ArrestDepartment: PolicyTerms of
Employment: Full-Time/Exempt/Union 2320Location: 55 Broadway, New
York, NY 10006Salary: Subject to the NYCLU's Union / Attorney
salary scaleApplication Deadline: Applications will be reviewed
upon receipt and will be considered until hiring is complete.The
New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's
leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties.
Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil
Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan
organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and
eight offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures
and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice,
free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the
law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our
website: www.nyclu.org.DEI VISION STATEMENTThe NYCLU affirmatively
values the humanity and contributions of those we work with, inside
and outside of the organization; and will take action to build and
sustain an equitable, anti-racist culture that centers the voices
and experiences of marginalized and directly impacted people and
communities, and an organizational environment where all people
feel valued, trusted, and respected. We are committed to diversity,
equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the
population that we serve and actively recruit people of color,
women, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and
LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people.SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONThe NYCLU
seeks an experienced and innovative Senior Policy Counsel or Policy
Counsel (together "Counsel") to lead a broad docket that is focused
on issues to enhance the rights and liberties of criminal legal
system-involved New Yorkers after arrest. Issues that the Counsel
may work on include advocacy on bail, discovery, and speedy trial
reforms; alternatives to incarceration; parole and sentencing
reform; rehabilitation and re-entry into the community; ending
solitary confinement; and conditions of confinement and community
supervision.The NYCLU's Policy Department implements and monitors
legislative and policy initiatives across the state that implicate
constitutional rights and liberties. The Policy Department drafts
and supports affirmative legislation that advances constitutional
freedoms, and opposes laws, rules, and policies that would
compromise those freedoms. The work of the Policy Department
includes (a) representing the NYCLU at the state legislative
session in Albany, (b) monitoring and advocating before the New
York City Council, (c) engaging in advocacy with other municipal
bodies, in close collaboration with the NYCLU's regional offices,
and (d) engaging in rulemaking and implementation efforts. This
work involves technical research, extensive written analysis and
commentary, direct lobbying of and engagement with lawmakers and
agency officials, collaboration with our Legal Department on
litigation, collaboration with our Field Organizing team on
campaign priorities, public education and testimony, supervision
and management of personnel and campaign work, strategic
communications and media in close collaboration with our colleagues
from the Communications team, and coalition building that engages
NYCLU members and allied organizations. The successful candidate
will implement these strategies in advancing their docket.We are
seeking a candidate who thrives in a collaborative organization and
can skillfully handle diverse approaches to advance policy reform.
The successful candidate is a creative thinker and collaborates
well both internally and with external partners. When designing and
managing campaigns to enhance the rights of New Yorkers who
interact with the criminal legal system, Counsel must work closely
with the NYCLU's Policy, Legal, Field Organizing, and
Communications Departments.The Counsel will report to the Deputy
Policy Director. The title of "Senior" Policy Counsel is reserved
for counsel with at least 6 years of experience in legal or policy
advocacy, and the interest and ability to supervise projects within
the Policy team and devise strategies and tactics to move our civil
rights advocacy forward.ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIESDevise and manage
short- and long-term campaigns to protect and expand the rights of
criminal defendants and incarcerated New Yorkers in coordination
with the NYCLU's other functional departments (Legal, Field
Organizing, and Communications).Engage in legislative and
administrative advocacy, including developing legal and policy
positions on local and state legislation, agency actions, proposed
rules, directives, and ballot measures; drafting and editing new
legislation and model policies; drafting comments to proposed rules
and regulations; drafting local and state advocacy materials;
writing and providing testimony; and sharing expertise with
policymakers.Build and maintain relationships with organizations
led by people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal
system, criminal defense experts, public interest groups,
government officials, community stakeholders, and academics to
engage them in our work and implement collaborative projects and
foster positive working relationships with state and national ACLU
staff.Serve as a key spokesperson and resource for the NYCLU in the
press, in internal discussions and strategy development, and in
NYCLU publications.Monitor legal and policy developments on an
array of post-arrest issues nationwide and in New York.For Senior
Policy Counsel, supervise fellows in a manner that supports their
professional development, communicate transparent expectations and
feedback.Actively support the NYCLU's internal and external
commitment to diversity, equity, and
inclusion.QUALIFICATIONSRequiredJ.D. degree.2+ years of experience
in legal or public policy advocacy in areas at the intersection of
criminal legal system reform, due process, racial justice, and
civil rights.Initiative, vision, and ability to develop and
implement short and long-term policy strategies utilizing a broad
range of political and legal tactics.Strong communications skills,
including the ability to communicate in both writing and verbally
to a variety of audiences.Excellent research and analytical
skills.Fluency in the procedures and vocabulary of the criminal
legal system.Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives
and manage multiple issues at once in a fast-paced
environment.Strong project and time management skills, including a
high level of organization, attention to detail, and
follow-through.Demonstrated experience engaging in creative problem
solving, strategic flexibility, and good judgment.Ability to
develop allies and work collaboratively and diplomatically.A strong
commitment to diversity and a personal approach that values and
respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic
circumstances.Willingness to travel within New York State for
speaking events, meetings, and conferences.PreferredLitigation
experience, particularly direct representation of income-qualified
clients.Experience with the New York State Legislature.Demonstrated
experience engaging and working with and/or on behalf of
underrepresented communities.A background in criminal defense
work.HOW TO APPLYPlease submit your resume, cover letter
(describing your unique qualifications for this position and how
you learned of this job posting), and a recent policy writing
sample not to exceed 10 pages that is wholly your own unedited work
(this may include testimony, legislative analysis, or public facing
commentary on a policy issue) via
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3117233/New-York-Civil-Liberties-Union-Foundation/Senior-Policy-Counsel-or-Policy-Counsel---Criminal-Legal-Reform-Post-Arrest
If feasible, please submit these materials as a single PDF.The
NYCLU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications
from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender
identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin,
citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status,
record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic
protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity, equity,
and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the communities
that we serve.The NYCLU 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 e-mail ldecicco@nyclu.org. If you are selected for
an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how
to request an accommodation for the interview process.This position
may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Program.* Starting salary is subject to Union/Attorney Salary
scale.Requirements:PI84364f99fcb1-25660-37143586
Keywords: New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation, New York , Senior Policy Counsel or Policy Counsel - Criminal Legal Reform, Post-Arrest, Legal , New York, New York
Click
here to apply!
|