Health Policy Program Director - ACLU of Washington

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff.

We are pleased to invite applicants for a full-time Health Policy Program Director (HPPD). We’re seeking a passionate and strategic advocate to help lead its efforts to identify and address civil liberties issues arising from access to healthcare, with a focus on reproductive health care, gender affirming care, and health equity for communities that have been marginalized by systemic oppression. In addition to providing strategic leadership on health care related issues, the HPPD will work as a member of the Policy Advocacy Department (PAD), collaborating with PAD team members and other organization leaders to develop additional policy priorities, that are consistent with ACLU-WA's strategic plan. The HPPD will work collaboratively across departments, and report to the Director, Policy Advocacy.

• Participation in ACLU-WA’s race equity work. This may include utilizing ACLU-WA race equity tools and adopting ACLU-WA race equity practices.
• Help lead the development of the ACLU-WA's health policy work.
• Collaborate with other ACLU-WA team members and departments including the Political Strategies Department, Communications Department, and Legal Department to develop goals, strategic plans, and implement tactics to expand access to care and defend against restrictions to health care.
• Collaborate with National ACLU and other affiliates to advance shared goals related to expanding access to health care.
• Conduct analysis, policy research, and draft legislative and other policy proposals on health care policy in Washington.
• Build and strengthen trusted relationships with other advocates, community leaders, impacted individuals, and agency staff.
• Develop and implement strategies for working with stakeholders and allied organizations to advance shared goals, including actively supporting community coalitions.
• Convey technical policies and legal jargon into accessible language and concepts for legislators, community members, and the public.
• Work with the Policy Director and PAD team members to define additional policy needs consistent with the ACLU-WA strategic plan.
• Support the ACLU-WA in lobbying for organizational priorities in the health policy program portfolio.
• In collaboration with other ACLU-WA team members, identify and respond to emerging health policy issues.
• Represent the ACLU-WA in community coalitions, the state legislative process, and before other administrative bodies and local decision makers.
• Make presentations to a variety of audiences, such as ACLU-WA donors, supporters, and community partners.
• 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 and attend ACLU-WA events, including some work on nights and weekends.

• 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.
• Significant experience working on health policy and civil rights work via national, state, or local policy advocacy efforts, with a strong understanding of legal concepts and a demonstrated ability to develop and lead policy initiatives.
• Willingness and ability to develop expertise in other policy areas.
• Preference for individuals with a strong understanding of the state budgeting and legislative processes and established professional relationships with other leaders in health policy.
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills with the ability to present to lawyers and the public.
• A track record of successfully directing and completing long-term projects.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the capacity to independently manage one’s own work.
• 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.
• J.D. or relevant degree preferred.

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission, vision and values of the ACLU.
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives.
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington

CLASSIFICATION: 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 and approved up to one (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE).

WORKING CONDITIONS: The position requires maintaining some physical file records and word processing and is expected to observe an in-person hybrid workstyle. This position is required to work in the office a minimum of two (2) days per week.

MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.

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 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 as needed.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: The ACLU-WA seeks to provide equitable and competitive compensation for attracting and retaining staff with the skill, judgment, and perseverance to confront challenges to civil rights and civil liberties and build a state where all people live with dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial and economic injustice and other forms of oppression. We provide a mix of compensation for staff that is intended to address today’s needs and allow planning for tomorrow and into retirement. As such, the ACLU-WA has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees.

The salary for this position is $129,086 to $154,612. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.

BENEFITS: Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days with an additional ten days given in 2024, 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 Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate 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, writing sample, 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 how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work in their cover letter.

HIRING TIMELINE: This position is open until filled with the first review of candidates scheduled for September 16, 2024. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.

REFERENCES: Please submit with your application three (3) professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment before conducting reference checks.

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.