Technology for Liberty Policy Counsel

Summary

The Technology for Liberty Policy Counsel plays an important role on the Technology for Liberty Program to defend and promote civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. The focus of this role is to conduct research and projects to support a broad privacy, free speech, and technology docket, contribute to local and statewide campaigns in priority issue areas, and foster relationships and collaboration with external stakeholders. This position reports to the Technology for Liberty Program Director and works closely with other ACLUM advocates to achieve programmatic objectives.

The ideal candidate for this position brings enthusiasm and passion to the work; equally enjoys technical research, analysis, relationship building, and proactive collaboration with organizational partners; and is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Strong candidates will have demonstrated the ability to conduct complex legal research and technical analysis, draft legislation, organize and mobilize coalitions, and write clearly and convincingly about technology and the law for expert and general audiences.

Essential Duties

Conduct legal, policy and technical research about the civil rights and civil liberties impact of government actions and consumer technologies, design and lead public records request projects, and assist with research and strategy related to litigation and amicus opportunities.
Work with the T4L Program Director and other ACLUM departments to design and implement local and statewide campaigns to defend and advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital realm.
Draft legal and policy positions and legislation, as well as civic engagement, public education, and strategic communications materials.
Engage in legislative, agency and political process lawyering (non-litigation) and support law and policy reform efforts, including drafting and evaluating local and state legislation, policies and ballot measures, helping to develop new legislation and policy models, drafting local and state advocacy letters, and providing expertise to policymakers.
Forge and maintain relationships with technology experts, public interest groups, government officials, community stakeholders, advocacy coalitions, and academics, to engage them in ACLUM work and collaborative projects; foster positive working relationships with these stakeholders; and collaborate with colleagues at other ACLU state affiliates and the National ACLU.
Plan and manage multi-disciplinary projects to respond to threats and advance law and public policy in areas including government surveillance, consumer privacy, algorithmic fairness, AI and human rights, free speech, and other areas where technology intersects with civil rights and civil liberties.
Develop and employ strategies and tactics to update law and public policy to effect ethical use of technology. These activities may include issue spotting; legal, policy, and technical research and analysis; public records requests; legislative and agency lawyering; direct civic engagement and coalition building; public education; and targeted communications.

Other Responsibilities

Special projects and other tasks as assigned by the Technology for Liberty Program Director.

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes

Juris Doctor or advanced law degree required.
Minimum of two years’ experience in grassroots organizing or mobilization for issue-based campaigns, in a professional, volunteer, or student capacity.
Knowledge of legal issues and law reform in areas where technology, privacy, free speech, and broader civil rights intersect, and/or algorithmic justice legal frameworks strongly preferred.
Excellent research, technical analysis, writing, and verbal communication skills required.
Proven experience in creative problem-solving and deriving insight from technical data.
Demonstrated experience and success in communicating complex legal and technical concepts in a simplified, understandable manner for general audiences.
Superb relationship-building skills, as well as ability to inspire collaboration and mobilize stakeholders to take action.
Superior project and time management skills including organization, follow-through, and ability to balance and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Attention to detail and commitment to producing meticulous work product.
Experience engaging with and working on behalf of underrepresented communities.
Strong belief in the ACLU’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion. Respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic background.

Key Performance Indicators

Timeliness and accuracy in delivery of research, analysis, legislative and policy drafting, and other written work.
Effectiveness in issue spotting and development of policy responses.
Clarity and timeliness in sharing content and insight to advance ACLUM advocacy efforts across departments.
Proactivity and effectiveness in cultivating/ expanding collaborative relationships with issue-area experts, community stakeholders, and other external partners.
Effectiveness in coordination and communication with the department other ACLUM colleagues, and National ACLU partners.

Other Requirements

Frequent written and verbal communication.
Extensive reading, preparing, and analyzing information, in hard copy and electronic format.
Frequent and extended periods of being in a stationary position, in an office environment and outdoor venues.
Ability to frequently and independently travel to various locations across Massachusetts.
Flexibility to accommodate work outside of regular business hours when warranted, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with ACLUM’s collective bargaining agreement. Estimated minimum annual salary of $75,000, which may be higher depending on the selected candidate’s experience. Benefits include medical and dental insurance for employees and their eligible dependents, a matching 401(k) plan, and paid time off, including vacation and holidays.

About the ACLU of Massachusetts

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through strategies of litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, we strengthen and expand public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights (including equal marriage), women’s rights, criminal justice issues, equal opportunity, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students’ rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights. ACLUM staff are unionized and this position is within the bargaining unit.

ACLUM is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and formerly incarcerated people to apply.

This position is based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. Residency in Massachusetts or within a 60-mile radius of Boston in a contiguous New England state is required. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation.

Tagged as: #policy #digital, civil liberties