The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) is seeking a Technology and Civil Liberties Fellow for a full-time, two-year, term-limited position on our Policy team. This fellowship meets a critical, immediate need: advances in surveillance technology, combined with the lack of comprehensive state and local policy, severely threaten the safety of communities and undermine civil rights. As the Fellow, you will help investigate surveillance technologies that pose a threat to civil liberties and civil rights, and help develop and implement multi-disciplinary, proactive strategies to regulate technologies such as automated license plate readers (ALPRs), advance legislation to close gaps in data privacy, and promote civil liberties.

Working on the Policy team and with national ACLU experts on tech and privacy, surveillance, policing, and racial justice, you will integrate a range of strategies into your work — including policy and technical research, legislative and agency analysis, civic engagement, coalition development, public education, and strategic communications. This role is integral to the coordination, monitoring, and logistics associated with the state's interim and legislative sessions, and reports directly to and under the supervision of the Director of Public Policy.

This job requires the ability to take initiative, learn quickly, and travel throughout New Mexico. The ideal candidate is a resilient self-starter who can translate complex technology issues for diverse audiences and thinks strategically about long-term, systemic change. This is a full-time, exempt, two-year fellowship based in New Mexico. 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 or proposed local and state legislation, regulations, and policies related to ACLU-NM's strategic priorities in surveillance technology and data privacy

• Collect, review, and analyze public records, research literature, and similar sources to draft high-level reports and briefs

• Develop and produce advocacy tools, including fact sheets, talking points, public education materials, position letters, and policy briefs

• Analyze data and draft reports or other advocacy tools to be used for educational purposes

• Keep abreast of regional trends and situations, and liaise between elected officials, ACLU-NM legal staff, and community advocacy groups as needed

• Liaise between the Policy, Communications, and Legal departments and with stakeholders at ACLU National

• Cultivate relationships with allied leaders, organizations, and coalitions in support of shared legislative and policy priorities

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

• Support the execution of events, including activist trainings, volunteer appreciation events, listening sessions, social events, panel discussions, candidate forums, and other community events, focused on policy advocacy, messaging, and mobilization

• 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

• Relevant legal, policy, or technical experience related to technology and privacy, free speech, police practices, or broader civil rights

• Excellent analysis, research, and writing skills, including the ability to translate complex technology issues for diverse audiences

• Familiarity with current policy issues in tech and privacy

• 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

• 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

• A self-starter and finisher with a demonstrated ability to manage projects and follow through 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, two-year, term-limited exempt position with an annual salary range of $51,904 – $70,224, depending on experience. We offer excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; employer retirement plan contributions; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; paid parental leave; and professional development opportunities.

All applications are confidential. Email your cover letter (one page max) and resume to [email protected] with “Technology and Civil Liberties Fellow” 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 25, 2026.

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