Description:

Position Summary:
The Policy Counsel (or Senior Policy Counsel) works in collaboration with other members of the Public Policy department to help drive the state and federal public policy agenda that furthers the organization's goals. This position's primary focus will be supporting Americans United's state policy efforts, rather than its federal policy work, but tasks will be assigned as needed. The position reports to the Public Policy department's Managing Policy Counsel.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Duties and responsibilities will be adjusted to match the candidate's level of experience.

Draft policy and advocacy materials, including legislation, AU and coalition letters, backgrounders, talking points, and reports. 
Perform necessary research and analysis, including on legal and policy issues and current events; and develop, implement, and assess strategies to achieve policy goals at the state and federal level. 
Coordinate and lead cross-departmental advocacy initiatives with policy, organizing, communications, and legal strategies to advance church-state separation.
Represent AU with partner organizations, coalitions, state and federal policymakers and staff to build support for AU's policy goals. 
Track and analyze pending state and federal legislation and proposed regulations and policies related to church-state separation. 
Provide expert analysis and advice, including through collaboration with other departments, to develop strategies to educate people about relevant issues and work, mobilize people in support of our policy efforts, and further our litigation goals, and continuously build a knowledge base, to include tracking and monitoring relevant legal and policy trends.

Skills and Experience:
Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when they don't meet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if you don't match 100% of these criteria.

Americans United seeks a candidate with a minimum of 1-2 years of work experience for the Policy Counsel role. Candidates with 7 or more years of experience may qualify for the Senior Policy Counsel role.

Additionally, the candidate has:

Experience with:

Conducting advocacy, legal research, analysis, writing in support of legislative and policy efforts, ideally involving church-state separation or other civil rights issues, and
working with coalitions and policymakers

A J.D., and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia or eligible and willing to become a member of the bar of the District of Columbia.
Strong organizational, analytical, writing, research, and speaking skills.
Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team in an often fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
Ability to collaborate productively with stakeholders of differing viewpoints, work across diverse communities (e.g. race, age, class, LGBTQ+, religious/nonreligious), and integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into our work.
Ability to produce high-quality legal analysis and advocacy materials on deadline and with accuracy.
Understanding of the legislative or regulatory process or policy advocacy strategies. 
Demonstrated interest in progressive advocacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and/or church-state separation.

The following skills and experience are preferred, but not required: 

Experience working as a legislative or executive staff member in state or federal government.
Knowledge, experience, and/or existing networks related to church-state separation and/or inclusive religious freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, public education, and/or reproductive rights.
Knowledge or experience working on state or federal budget or appropriations process

Americans United welcomes applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues and with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
This is a hybrid position that primarily involves working from a home office and/or professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools. It requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasionally move about within the workspace.