Career Opportunity
Assistant to the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel [WLOU-07]
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
Washington Legislative Office

The American Civil Liberties Union, a national nonprofit public organization, seeks applicants who are interested in a full-time position as Assistant to the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel in the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office. The Assistant will work directly with the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel and will also work with ACLU lobbyists.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The responsibilities of the Assistant to the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel include the following:

• Utilize Congressional databases and other tools to research information on legislation and executive branch action for use in special projects, presentations and lobby visits
• Maintain databases and file systems for the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel
• Coordinate and support ACLU’s contractual arrangements with lobbying firms and with high profile contractors who make public appearances for the ACLU
• Convey legislative documents, attend coalition meetings, press conferences and Congressional hearings as needed
• Collaborate with other legislative assistants and other WLO staff on projects as necessary; coordinate special projects as assigned by the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel
• Assist with and/or coordinate the recruitment, hiring, training, and coordination of college and law school interns
• Assist with general office administration and administrative support such as keeping minutes of internal meetings and handling other routine matters such as photocopying, mailings and making travel arrangements
• Produce and edit correspondence and memoranda, internal reports of lobbying activity and internal reports of legislative developments
• Maintain calendars; Plan, arrange and support meetings and events in and outside of the office
• Screen requests for ACLU Washington Legislative Office speakers at events
• Respond, if appropriate, to telephone calls for the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel
• Coordinate and facilitate pro bono outreach
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief Legislative and Policy Counsel or management of the Washington Legislative Office

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelors Degree, and a minimum of two years of administrative work experience
• Highly organized individual with exceptional attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills
• Self-starter who can take initiative, work independently with little supervision, identify problems and offer solutions
• Must demonstrate superior oral and written communication skills
• Must possess the ability to work well and quickly under pressure; meet deadlines, and work evening hours occasionally
• Proficiency with MS Office and the ability to conduct research is required
• Interest in, and commitment to civil liberties and knowledge of the legislative process is required

COMPENSATION:
The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

HOW TO APPLY:
If you are a proactive and resourceful team player with a passion for public interest issues, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and at the names and phone numbers of at least three references to: hrjobs@aclu.org reference [WLOU-07/WACLU] in subject line – or by mail to:

Human Resources
RE: [WLOU-07/WACLU]
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before November 2, 2008.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.