Job Description
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.
Job Title : Policy Counsel/ Policy Advisor or Senior Policy Counsel/Senior Policy Advisor
Location : Washington, DC
Job Type : Full-Time
Union Affiliation: Union
Accountable To: Director, Public Policy
About The Role The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.
The incumbent will manage a portfolio focused on educational opportunities and equity and will engage in public policy advocacy, including legislative advocacy, advocacy with administrative agencies, and close collaboration with coalition allies and community partners. This may include supporting legislation to protect civil rights, educational equity and opportunities, engaging with administrative rulemaking proceedings, advocating for agency enforcement priorities and positions, and coordinating joint advocacy efforts with other civil rights groups. Depending on the needs of the organization and the Public Policy Project, this portfolio of work may include other issues.
Education Applicants must have experience advocating or working on education policy, preferably in coalition settings. Ideal candidates will have familiarity with subjects affecting education and civil rights, which may include issues like:
- Educational equity
- Protecting and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and racial equity initiatives
- Racially inclusive learning (including protecting critical race theory and African American history)
- Higher education access
- Underfunding of HBCUs
- Student debt
- Predatory for-profit colleges and universities.
This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Director of Public Policy. The position title will depend on the experience and educational degree (e.g. B.A., J.D., etc.) of the incumbent. Regular travel is required.
What You’ll Be Doing Responsibilities of the Policy Counsel/Advisor include but are not limited to:
- Monitor key developments in assigned issue areas and identify opportunities for engagement and advancing the organization’s policy agenda.
- Analyze federal policy proposals and develop and produce advocacy tools for various audiences concerning educational equity and civil rights issues.
- Build and maintain relationships with congressional and executive branch staff to ensure that the principles of the Lawyers’ Committee mission are reflected in the policymaking process, including responding to questions from external sources regarding pending federal legislation and initiatives.
- Cultivate close relationships and regularly collaborate with coalition partners, including other civil rights organizations, education-focused organizations, and grassroots racial justice organizations.
- Attend Congressional hearings, briefings, and meetings, and represent the Lawyers’ Committee in external meetings and briefings with congressional and executive branch staff.
- Work closely with colleagues across relevant Lawyers’ Committee units, primarily the Educational Opportunities Project, and also including the Economic Justice Project, the Fair Housing & Community Development Project, and other internal Projects as needed, to help identify and pursue shared advocacy objectives.
- Draft congressional testimony, talking points, reports, letters, comments on proposed administrative rules and regulations, and other materials for meetings, briefings, and other public speaking engagements on civil rights and educational equity issues.
- Plan and execute advocacy events, such as congressional briefings, panel discussions, advocacy days on Capitol Hill, and webinars to further advocacy goals.
- Work with communications staff to coordinate a focused communications strategy and to elevate relevant legislative, administrative, and executive activity in the media.
- Track and summarize legislation, regulations, and other policy developments using databases, as well as monitoring media, social media, and government websites.
- Lead and participate in national coalition meetings focused on education and racial equity issues; and
- Provide policy briefings and support for the President & Executive Director and other senior staff, including drafting written and oral testimonies and helping with preparation for other appearances before executive branch and legislative officials.
Minimum Requirements And Competencies - Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of at least four years of work experience relevant to this role, preferably working on federal policy.
- Deep commitment to the advancement of racial justice and civil rights and preferred experience working for a civil rights or racial justice organization.
- Experience with education and civil rights issues, such as educational equity; protecting and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and racial equity initiatives; racially inclusive learning (including the ability to teach critical race theory and African American history); higher education access; underfunding of HBCUs; student debt; predatory for-profit colleges and universities; and other similar issues.
- Demonstrated experience working with and for communities of color .
- Must be willing to register as a federal lobbyist.
- Working knowledge of the federal legislative, regulatory, and policy process (experience as a Congressional staffer, at a civil rights non-profit, or at a federal or state agency a plus).
- Exceptional research, writing, and communication skills.
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational skills with superb attention to detail.
- Strong, creative, and curious intellect, and the ability to analyze issues and develop novel advocacy strategies.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, ability to build trust and credibility with partners, as well as Congressional and executive branch staff and officials.
- Ability to synthesize information and to manage multiple priorities, take direction and guidance, and follow through and complete assignments, meeting often strict deadlines.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team; receptive to instruction and guidance.
- Ability to be flexible, responsive, and a team player to meet the needs of the organization.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Internet research tools; and
- Willingness and ability to travel on a regular basis for meetings.
Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!
Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion : The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.
The expected range for this role will be: $97,656 - $130,000
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Flexible hours,