Policy Counsel or Senior Policy Counsel

Exceptional Dental; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 88,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) match

Commuter subsidy

Job summary

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is seeking a Policy Counsel to drive state policy agenda in collaboration with the Public Policy department. The role emphasizes state policy work, with occasional federal tasks, reporting to the Managing Policy Counsel.

The candidate will draft policy materials, conduct legal research, and coordinate cross‑departmental advocacy with coalitions and policymakers. A J.D.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting advocacy, legal research, and writing in support of legislative and policy efforts.
• Ability to work with coalitions and policymakers.
• Strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft policy and advocacy materials including legislation, letters, backgrounders, talking points, and reports.
• Conduct research and analysis on legal and policy issues; develop strategies to achieve policy goals.
• Coordinate cross‑departmental advocacy initiatives and engage policymakers and coalitions.
• Represent Americans United with partner organizations and state/federal policymakers.
• Track pending legislation and regulatory proposals relevant to church‑state separation.
• Provide expert analysis and collaborate across departments to educate and mobilize support.

Skills

Policy research

Advocacy

Legal analysis

Writing

Education

J.D.

Job description

About Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who don’t profess any particular faith. It is a community that welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Position Summary

The Policy Counsel (or Senior Policy Counsel) works in collaboration with other members of the Public Policy department to help drive the state and federal public policy agenda that furthers the organization’s goals. This position’s primary focus will be supporting Americans United’s state policy efforts, rather than its federal policy work, but tasks will be assigned as needed. The position reports to the Public Policy department’s Managing Policy Counsel.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities will be adjusted to match the candidate’s level of experience.

• Draft policy and advocacy materials, including legislation, AU and coalition letters, backgrounders, talking points, and reports.
• Perform necessary research and analysis, including on legal and policy issues and current events; and develop, implement, and assess strategies to achieve policy goals at the state and federal level.
• Coordinate and lead cross‑departmental advocacy initiatives with policy, organizing, communications, and legal strategies to advance church‑state separation.
• Represent AU with partner organizations, coalitions, state and federal policymakers and staff to build support for AU’s policy goals.
• Track and analyze pending state and federal legislation and proposed regulations and policies related to church‑state separation.
• Provide expert analysis and advice, including through collaboration with other departments, to develop strategies to educate people about relevant issues and work, mobilize people in support of our policy efforts, and further our litigation goals, and continuously build a knowledge base, to include tracking and monitoring relevant legal and policy trends.

Skills and Experience

Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when they don’t meet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if you don’t match 100% of these criteria.

Americans United seeks a candidate with a minimum of 1-2 years of work experience for the Policy Counsel role. Candidates with 7 or more years of experience may qualify for the Senior Policy Counsel role.

Additionally, the candidate has:

• Experience with:
  • Conducting advocacy, legal research, analysis, writing in support of legislative and policy efforts, ideally involving church‑state separation or other civil rights issues, and
  • working with coalitions and policymakers
• A J.
• D., and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia or eligible and willing to become a member of the bar of the District of Columbia.
• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, research, and speaking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team in an often fast‑paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate productively with stakeholders of differing viewpoints, work across diverse communities (e.g. race, age, class, LGBTQ+, religious/nonreligious), and integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into our work.
• Ability to produce high‑quality legal analysis and advocacy materials on deadline and with accuracy.
• Understanding of the legislative or regulatory process or policy advocacy strategies.
• Demonstrated interest in progressive advocacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and/or church‑state separation.

Preferred, but not required

• Experience working as a legislative or executive staff member in state or federal government.
• Knowledge, experience, and/or existing networks related to church‑state separation and/or inclusive religious freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, public education, and/or reproductive rights.
• Knowledge or experience working on state or federal budget or appropriations process.

Americans United welcomes applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio‑economic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues and with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This is a hybrid position that primarily involves working from a home office and/or professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools. It requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasionally move about within the workspace.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for Policy Counsel is $87,822- $109,777. The salary range for Senior Policy Counsel is $109,777 - $131,733. This stated range includes a 5% locality pay adjustment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The successful candidate’s placement within that range will be consistent with AU’s compensation framework, which is based on role placement and years of related experience.

Americans United offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid premiums for health care, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, 401(k) with match, and commuter subsidy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AU is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation for a disability to apply to this position, please let us know by emailing [e-mail].