Policy Counsel/Senior Policy Counsel - First Amendment/Free Speech/Defensive Work

Description

Position: Policy Counsel/Senior Policy Counsel

Terms of Employment: Regular Full-Time / Exempt / Local 2320 Union.  NYCLU staff is currently working in a hybrid model; a number of in-person days will be required.

Location: 55 Broadway, New York, NY 10006

Salary: $99,500 - $122,500 (3-8 Years Experience)

Application Deadline:  November 11, 2026 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled).

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties.  Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and eight offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website: www.nyclu.org. 

DEI VISION STATEMENT

The NYCLU is committed to building an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace that centers the voices of marginalized and directly impacted communities. This commitment strengthens our mission to protect civil liberties and advance justice across New York. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and others whose experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION 

The NYCLU seeks an experienced and innovative Policy Counsel to lead a broad docket that is focused on issues to enhance First Amendment protections, free speech, privacy and technology protections, as well as provide wide-ranging defensive work for our legislative program. Issues that the Counsel may work on include advocacy on local and state speech regulations such as limitations on the right to protest, the rights of journalists and whistleblowers, government regulations pertaining to personal data, the intersection between First Amendment rights and the use of technology, and a broad array of civil liberties issues the legislature is attempting to curtail. 

The NYCLU’s Policy Department implements and monitors legislative and policy initiatives across the state that implicate constitutional rights and liberties. The Policy Department drafts and supports affirmative legislation that advances constitutional freedoms, and opposes laws, rules, and policies that would compromise those freedoms. The work of the Policy Department includes (a) representing the NYCLU at the state legislative session in Albany, (b) monitoring and advocating before the New York City Council, (c) engaging in advocacy with other municipal bodies, in close collaboration with the NYCLU’s regional offices, and (d) engaging in rulemaking and implementation efforts. This work involves technical research, extensive written analysis and commentary, direct lobbying of and engagement with lawmakers and agency officials, collaboration with our Legal Department on litigation, collaboration with our Field Organizing team on campaign priorities, public education and testimony, supervision and management of personnel and campaign work, strategic communications and media in close collaboration with our colleagues from the Communications team, and coalition building that engages NYCLU members and allied organizations. The successful candidate will implement these strategies in advancing their docket. 

We are seeking a candidate who thrives in a collaborative organization and can skillfully handle diverse approaches to advance policy reform. The successful candidate is a creative thinker and collaborates well both internally and with external partners. When designing and managing campaigns to enhance the rights of New Yorkers, Counsel must work closely with the NYCLU’s Policy, Legal, Field Organizing, and Communications Departments. 

The Counsel will report to the Policy Director. The title of “Senior” Policy Counsel is reserved for counsel with at least 6 years of experience in legal or policy advocacy, and the interest and ability to supervise projects within the Policy team and devise strategies and tactics to move our civil rights advocacy forward. 

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Devise and manage short- and long-term campaigns to advance organizational mission in coordination with the NYCLU’s other functional departments (Legal, Field Organizing, and Communications). 
• Engage in legislative and administrative advocacy, including developing legal and policy positions on local and state legislation, agency actions, proposed rules, directives, and ballot measures; drafting and editing new legislation and model policies; drafting testimony and comments to proposed rules and regulations; drafting local and state advocacy materials; writing and providing testimony; and sharing expertise with policymakers. 
• Build and maintain relationships with organizations including those led by impacted individuals, public interest groups, government officials, community stakeholders, and academics to engage them in our work and implement collaborative projects and foster positive working relationships with state and national ACLU staff. 
• Serve as a key spokesperson and resource for the NYCLU in the press, in internal discussions and strategy development, and in NYCLU publications. 
• Monitor legal and policy developments on an array of civil liberties issues nationwide and in New York. 
• Supervise fellows in a manner that supports their professional development, communicate transparent expectations and feedback. 
• Actively support the NYCLU’s internal and external commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• J.D. degree. 
• 3+ years of experience in legal or public policy advocacy, with a focus on First Amendment rights. 
• Initiative, vision, and ability to develop and implement short and long-term policy strategies utilizing a broad range of political and legal tactics. 
• Strong communications skills, including the ability to communicate in both writing and verbally to a variety of audiences. 
• Excellent research and analytical skills. 
• Fluency in the vocabulary of free-speech issues and general civil liberties concerns. 
• Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives and manage multiple issues at once in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong project and time management skills, including a high level of organization, attention to detail, and follow-through. 
• Demonstrated experience engaging in creative problem solving, strategic flexibility, and good judgment.
• Ability to develop allies and work collaboratively and diplomatically. 
• A strong commitment to diversity and a personal approach that values and respects differences      of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances. 
• Willingness to travel within New York State for speaking events, meetings, and conferences.

 Preferred

• Experience with the New York State Legislature and/or local New York legislative bodies. 
• Demonstrated experience engaging and working with and/or on behalf of underrepresented communities.
• Experience working at the intersection of First Amendment rights and privacy and technology. 

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to be considered for this position, please submit via  https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/4611056/New-York-Civil-Liberties-Union-Foundation/Policy-CounselSenior-Policy-Counsel---First-AmendmentFree-SpeechDefensive-Work  as a single PDF document (1) a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and describing your qualifications, (2) and up-to-date resume, and (3) a policy- or legal- related writing sample of your choosing, reflecting your own work and not to exceed 10 pages. A wide variety of writing samples may be submitted, such as blogs, op-eds, advocacy letters, memos in opposition or support of policy proposals, comments submitted as part of a rule-making process, legal memos outlining an issue or policy proposal, legal briefs, etc. 

Applications received by November 11, 2026, will receive priority consideration, though applications will continue to be collected until the position is filled.

The NYCLU is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

The NYCLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail ldecicco@nyclu.org  If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. 

This position may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.