The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA) is seeking a passionate and strategic advocate to help lead its efforts to identify and address civil liberties issues arising from the use and development of new technologies. In addition to providing strategic leadership on technology issues, the Technology Policy Program Director will work as a member of the Policy Advocacy Department (PAD), collaborating with the Policy Director and PAD team members to develop additional policy priorities outside of the Technology space, but consistent with the ACLU-WA's strategic plan. The Technology Policy Program Director will also work collaboratively with the entire office.

OVERVIEW

The ACLU-WA is one of the largest affiliates of the nation-wide ACLU. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend American rights to freedom, fairness, and equality. The ACLU is both nonprofit and nonpartisan. We have a staff of 50+ and nearly 60,000 supporters statewide.

Within the ACLU-WA, the Policy Advocacy Department works to effectuate change through state and local legislation, rulemaking, institutional policy change, community-driven advocacy, public education, coalition building and media work. Through our engagement with community stakeholders, we strive to center and amplify the voices, perspectives, and experiences of directly impacted communities and individuals. PAD uses an integrated advocacy approach, working collaboratively with the Legal, Political Strategies, and Communications teams to further its goals.

Within PAD, ACLU-WA's Technology Policy Program Director defends and promotes civil liberties in the digital age, pushing back on the creation of a surveillance infrastructure and helps ensure that technology deployments are transparent, accountable and just.

The ACLU of Washington is committed to ending racism in Washington State and throughout the country. This includes how we work with each other, and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. We are committed to bringing anti-racism to all aspects of ACLU-WA's internal and external functions, including but not limited to recruitment; hiring and human resources; strategic planning; ally, donor, and volunteer relations; Board and committee processes; and deciding what cases to litigate and what legislation to support and oppose. We are looking for candidates who share this commitment to advancing racial justice, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Participation in ACLU-WA’s race equity work. This may include utilizing ACLU-WA race equity tools, adopting ACLU-WA race equity practices, etc.
Help lead the development of the ACLU-WA's technology work, including but not limited to, leading state and local policy campaigns related to technology, surveillance, and data collection practices, in collaboration with ACLU-WA team members and community partners.
Conduct analysis and policy research, and draft legislative and other policy proposals on technology work in Washington.
Collaborate with other ACLU-WA team members, including the Political Strategies Department, Communications Department and Legal Department to identify tactics and structure campaigns to protect people from surveillance and technology harms. Collaborate with National ACLU and other affiliates to advance shared goals to protect from technological incursions. Develop and implement strategies for working with stakeholders and allied organizations to advance shared goals, including actively supporting community coalitions. Build trusted relationships with other advocates and impacted individuals.
Work with the Policy Director and PAD team members to define additional policy needs consistent with the ACLU-WA strategic plan. This may include leadership on projects outside of Technology Policy Program issues.
Support the ACLU-WA in lobbying for organizational priorities.
In collaboration with other ACLU-WA team members, identify and respond to emerging technology policy issues.
Represent the ACLU-WA in community coalitions, the state legislative process, and before other administrative bodies and local decision makers.
Advance the ACLU-WA's goal to conduct its work through a racial equity lens.
Serve as a strategic advisor or participant in ACLU-WA litigation teams and ACLU-WA attorneys working on amicus briefs.
Conduct public education through training, presentations, drafting and publishing reports, and know your rights guides.
Speak regularly with reporters and represent the ACLU-WA on various media platforms.
Supervise interns, fellows, volunteers, and other staff as needed.
Travel throughout the state; attend ACLU-WA events, including some work on nights and weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS

We know that no one can specialize in everything. If the position sounds like a good fit, please do not let fear of not having every qualification deter you from applying.

Ideal candidates will have an awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias.
2+ years of working on national, state, or local policy advocacy efforts, with a strong understanding of legal concepts and a demonstrated ability to develop and lead policy initiatives. Experience in technology, privacy, surveillance, and civil rights policy work. Willingness and ability to develop expertise in these or other policy areas.
Strong writing, research, and communication skills in presenting both to lawyers and the public. The ability to distill complex information.
A track record of successfully directing and completing long-term projects. Strong leadership and organizational skills; the ability to independently manage one’s own work as well as others.
A high degree of emotional intelligence; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
A demonstrated commitment to racial equity; experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies that center the voices and lived experiences of directly impacted communities.
D. or relevant degree preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Able to input information into a computer for long periods of time.
Able to remain stationary for extended periods.
Able to assess information communicated through a computer.
Able to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Able to periodically work long and extended hours.
Able to travel locally/regionally/across the state occasionally.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ACLU of WA is dedicated to centering equity in all aspects of the organization and, as such, has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees. The salary for this position is $126,555 - $151,580. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.

Benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days with an additional ten days given in 2023, fifteen holidays, employer-paid professional development, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, an employer contributed retirement plan, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass.

ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective WiFi connection and a way to reach you by phone. This position is eligible for either a work phone or phone stipend, as well as an additional $150 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.

Applications will be accepted until noon on August 9, 2023, at which time the job announcement will be displayed as closed on our website at www.aclu-wa.org/careers.

HIRING TIMELINE

We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the application deadline and hope to have the selected candidate start in August or September.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply

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