Criminal Justice Policy Advocate/Counsel

The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia (ACLU-GA) seeks to hire a full-time Policy Advocate/Counsel with expertise in criminal legal/justice reform. ACLU-GA is the state affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union.  Our mission is to preserve and expand the individual rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constitution, and related federal and state civil rights laws.  

Criminal Legal Reform is one of the ACLU of GA’s strategic priorities. Working with partners across the state, we seek to stop police violence and reduce the number of people in Georgia under correction control. In 2020, several counties elected new reform-minded Sheriffs and District Attorneys, presenting a unique opportunity at the local level to change policies and practices that have historically targeted communities of color.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Manage the criminal legal reform of the ACLU-GA, including developing policy proposals and issue-based campaign plans.
2. Work with community partners and grassroots organizations in the criminal justice landscape, including representing the affiliate in existing coalitions and identifying new partners to work with.
3. Provide research and draft public education materials.
4. Give panel and other presentations to ACLU supporters and the community at large on core policy issues within criminal justice reform.
5. Organize community meetings and events; this includes logistics, outreach, developing the agendas and facilitation.
6. Lobby/engage members of the legislature, local elected officials and administrative leaders.
7. Work with the affiliate’s organizing staff to coordinate volunteers to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts.

Qualifications 

1. Extensive policy knowledge in criminal legal system reform.
2. Advocacy experience, 3-5 years, including project management.
3. Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to successfully juggle multiple responsibilities.
4. Strong communication skills, oral and written.
5. Ability to work with and center historically marginalized or oppressed communities of different cultures and backgrounds. This includes having a mature understanding of how structural racism, sexism, and prejudice against all kinds of marginalized communities pervade our society.
6. Willingness to travel, work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
7. JD or MPP a plus
8. Other duties as assigned