The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Policy Advocate to join our Policy Department. The Policy Department leads ACLU-NM's legislative and administrative advocacy across the state, working on broad civil rights and civil liberties issues with a focus on reproductive justice and gender equity, criminal-legal reform and policing, Indigenous justice, and immigrants' rights and border policy.

The Policy Advocate protects and advances civil liberties by developing and implementing advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal level — combining high-level research and policy analysis with direct organizing: gathering and analyzing data, forming alliances with strategic partners, mobilizing activists and coalition partners, serving as a media spokesperson, and advocating directly with policymakers. This position reports directly to and under the supervision of the Director of Public Policy.

This job requires the ability to take initiative, work independently, and travel throughout New Mexico. The ideal candidate is a resilient self-starter, comfortable serving as a public spokesperson, and skilled at building relationships across the political spectrum. This is a full-time, exempt position [LOCATION — confirm: statewide, or based in one of ACLU-NM's Albuquerque / Las Cruces / Santa Fe offices]. During the annual legislative session, the job requires frequent travel to Santa Fe and long days with irregular hours.

The ACLU of New Mexico is the state affiliate of the ACLU, the nation's premier civil rights and civil liberties organization. The purpose of ACLU of New Mexico is to protect and advance justice, liberty and equity as guaranteed by the constitutions of New Mexico and the United States. As the largest civil liberties organization in the state with thousands of members, we tirelessly pursue large-scale impact that affects real people's lives. We work to make justice, liberty and equity realities for all people in New Mexico, with particular attention to the rights of people and groups who have historically been disenfranchised. For more information please visit www.aclu-nm.org

The ACLU of New Mexico has offices in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe and maintains a flexible hybrid work environment to best support the needs of our staff and the work. Most employees work from the office an average of 4-12 hours per week.

• Engage in the full annual state legislative session in Santa Fe, special legislative sessions as they arise, legislative interim committees, and local government policymaking bodies as needed

• Review, monitor, and analyze current and proposed local, state, and federal legislation, regulations, and policies related to ACLU-NM's strategic priorities

• Collect, review, and analyze public records, research literature, and other data sources to draft high-level reports, briefs, and advocacy tools — including fact sheets, talking points, public education materials, and position letters — for policymaking and educational purposes

• Serve as a media spokesperson, advocate directly with policymakers, and represent ACLU-NM's positions in public forums

• Liaise between the Policy, Communications, and Legal departments, stakeholders at ACLU National, elected officials, and community advocacy groups; keep abreast of regional trends affecting ACLU-NM's priorities

• Cultivate relationships with allied leaders, organizations, and coalitions, and assist the Director of Public Policy in convening and facilitating coalitions and other constituent groups in support of shared legislative and policy priorities

• Represent the ACLU of New Mexico in coalitions and community groups, including speaking at community events

• Help build grassroots and grasstops support for ACLU-NM's strategic priorities, including technical assistance, legislative advocacy trainings, non-partisan voter education, and legislative debriefs

• Conceptualize and lead events — activist trainings, volunteer appreciation events, listening sessions, social events, panel discussions, candidate forums, and other community events — focused on policy advocacy, messaging, and mobilization

• Identify and engage activists and volunteers with an interest in the nexus between reproductive rights, immigration, and other strategic priorities, and strategize on messaging and content for outreach to them

• Ensure that principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) inform all policy advocacy practices and processes

• Support annual legislative-session logistics and other duties, special projects, and tasks as assigned

• Experience in public policy, government relations, or nonprofit advocacy required

• Excellent research skills and demonstrated ability to analyze legislative and administrative policy

• Demonstrated ability to collect, process, and analyze data from public records, research literature, and similar sources to prepare high-level reports and briefing materials

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with demonstrated ability to serve as a public spokesperson and advocate

• Ability to be proactive, understand the political landscape, and work effectively on issues that require diverse support

• Proven ability to think critically and strategically about solving problems and coming up with solutions

• Ability to be resilient and work toward long-term, systemic change

• A demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with coalitions and community groups, motivate volunteers, and work across the political spectrum

• Good interpersonal skills, including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside the ACLU of New Mexico

• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to work under pressure and manage several projects at various stages of completion

• A self-starter and finisher with a demonstrated ability to follow through on work assignments with minimal direct supervision

• Emotionally mature, with a sense of humor and the ability to maintain balance and perspective

• A flexible team player who works collaboratively, shares responsibilities, and supports and acknowledges colleagues' contributions

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU, and to cultural and social humility — a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance

• Ability and willingness to engage in the annual legislative session and special sessions as they occur, including frequent travel to Santa Fe and long days with irregular hours during the session; willingness to work occasional overtime or irregular hours, including some weekends, outside of the session

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds — for tents, tables, and other gear for tabling events, and boxes of materials, flyers, or merchandise — and help set up and break down spaces for gatherings and events, with or without reasonable accommodation

• A car, ability and willingness to travel within the state, and a current driver's license

• Fluent in Spanish and/or other languages spoken throughout New Mexico preferred

• Previous experience in policy spaces at the state and local level within New Mexico, and experience drafting public policy language, preferred

No one person will have all the qualities enumerated above. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested and feel you could be successful in this role.

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $62,571 to $84,655 depending on experience. We offer excellent benefits, including employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance for employees; long-term disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution and match of up to 5.5%; and vacation accrual that starts at 18 days per year in addition to sick leave and family and medical leave.

All applications are confidential. Email your cover letter (one page max) and resume to [email protected] with “Policy Advocate” in the subject line. Attachments must be in Word or PDF format. Your cover letter should address how you meet the qualifications above and, optionally, how your background could contribute to the diversity of our staff and work. Resumes without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are core values of the ACLU and central to our work. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible.

Applications accepted until the position is filled; review begins September 25th.

This description is not comprehensive or contractual. The ACLU of New Mexico may modify it at any time without notice.