Policy Fellow

Policy Fellow - Job Description

The ACLU of Nebraska (ACLU-NE) seeks a Policy Fellow to engage in criminal legal reform and prisoners’ rights policy and advocacy work. The ACLU-NE seeks applicants for a two-year policy fellowship.

The ACLU-NE may explore additional funding and support to continue this position beyond the initial two-year grant-funded position but makes no guarantees. The Policy Fellow will work closely with legal and policy staff members and will report directly to the Policy Director. The Policy Fellow will also collaborate with other team members in legal, administration, development, and communications from time to time. 

Overview  

The ACLU-NE is the state affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, a nonpartisan public interest civil rights organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil liberties and civil rights through litigation, policy advocacy and public education. The ACLU-NE is proud to foster a fun and fast-paced work environment. Our offices are in the heart of Nebraska’s capital city, Lincoln, Nebraska. Our 11-person team is complemented by law clerks, interns, volunteer attorneys, and thousands of supporters statewide.

Roles and Responsibilities 

·       Conduct policy research.

·       Prepare and deliver testimony at the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature and other law-making bodies as needed.

·       Engage with elected and appointed leaders on criminal legal reform and prisoners’ rights legislation. 

·       Participate in strategy meetings. 

·       Engage with coalition partners, allies, and impacted communities. 

·       Design, lead, and implement strategies to organize community members with lived experience to participate in policy advocacy. 

• Provide support and assistance to ACLU-NE partners and staff as needed.

·       Develop plans and administer grant-related activities relating to criminal legal reform and prisoners’ rights. 

·       Other duties as assigned.

The Policy Fellow’s efforts will focus on criminal legal reform and prisoners’ rights reform, but may intersect with other areas of focus of ACLU-NE including Racial and Indigenous Justice, gender equity, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, students’ rights, First Amendment, and privacy and surveillance.  

Desired Experiences and Qualifications 

• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, criminal legal reform, prisoners’ rights work, and justice.
• Experience working in coalitions with diverse individuals and organizations. 
• Organizing experience. 
• Personal experience/lived experience in the criminal legal system and/or prison system. 
• Background in public speaking before diverse audiences, including elected officials.
• Demonstrated ability to research, write, and communicate verbally. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently and within a team. 
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 
• Candidates fluent in languages other than English are strongly encouraged to apply as are candidates with experience in policy, government, community organizing, or electoral campaigns. 
• Individuals that do not meet all qualifications listed above are still encouraged to apply. We recognize that systemic barriers often prevent exceptional candidates from applying if they do not meet each and every desired qualification.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

The ACLU-NE is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-NE encourages applications from all qualified and eligible individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender 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-NE makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified and eligible persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NE is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying, please e-mail agagner@aclunebraska.org or call 402-476-8091. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. 

Civil rights and civil liberties violations disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society – including Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ people. These communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or those who are members of other marginalized communities.

Compensation and Benefits  

This is a full-time exempt role. The salary range for this position ranges from $50,000-$60,000, depending on experience and skills. Excellent benefits include vacation, sick leave, and parental leave, generous health, dental, and vision insurance with employee and family premiums paid 100% by the employer, a 401k match, cell phone stipend, hybrid work options, and paid parking.

Application Procedure  

To apply, email a cover letter and resume to jobs@aclunebraska.org with the subject line: Policy Fellow. In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned of the position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before November 1, 2023.