NACC’s Policy Counsel will be a new, full-time member of our team who will help coordinate, launch, and staff an ambitious national campaign to guarantee youth the right to counsel in child welfare cases. The strategic objective of the campaign is to establish and expand the right to counsel by changing state law, court rules, or other policies over the next three years and beyond. The Policy Counsel will conduct research, assess state readiness for reform, coordinate communications, and provide intensive technical assistance to state advocates. This position is supported by three-years of funding with the possibility of continued support. The Policy Counsel reports to the Legal Director and works closely with the Executive Director.
NACC is based in Denver, Colorado with staff in multiple locations. Remote applicants in all U.S. locations will be considered, with a preference for Denver-based or DC-based candidates. Note: currently all staff work remotely and this is anticipated to continue well into 2021.
Duties and Responsibilities:
POLICY ADVOCACY:
Coordinate national campaign to advance youth’s right to counsel, including the following:
* Develop a national campaign and communications strategy to advance the right to counsel for youth with NACC’s Legal Director, Executive Director, and National Advisory Committee;
* Provide expertise on the infrastructure, funding, and development of legal service delivery systems for children in the child welfare system;
* Conduct research on state statutes, case law, court rules, policies, budgets, the legislative and rulemaking processes, and determine readiness for reform;
* Develop campaign resources and products, such as facts-heets, blogs, and policy briefs;
* Coordinate communications and messaging plans, working with NACC's Communications Specialist (2021 position);
* Provide intensive technical assistance to state advocates to develop policies, local campaigns, support legislative/judicial champions, and build diverse coalitions to educate policymakers; and
* Ensure campaigns engage youth with lived experience and employ a race equity lens.
Support NACC’s Policy Agenda and related work, including federal policy and national coalitions.
Support NACC’s amicus curiae program, particularly regarding the right to counsel for youth.
TRAVEL:
Travel for this position is not anticipated to resume until at least mid-2021. This position would ordinarily involve travel (30% or more) and the ability to travel --when it is safe and comfortable to do so-- is a requirement of this position.
Essential Qualifications:
* Commitment to NACC’s mission, vision, and policy agenda, including dedication to advancing the right to counsel, racial equity, and youth voice in the child welfare system.
* Minimum of two years’ experience with policy advocacy and policy campaigns, including drafting legislative proposals, attending hearings, and engaging in three-branch advocacy.
* Strong legal research and policy analysis skills, including the ability to strategize legislative, regulatory, and judicial options amid political and budgetary context.
* Strong interpersonal skills, including experience with coalitions and working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
* Excellent written and oral communications skills, with the ability to effectively synthesize policy priorities for policymakers, advocates, and the general public.
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the NACC Team in a remote office environment, including handling multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
Additional Experiences Preferred:
* Lived experience in the child welfare system.
* Prior experience as an attorney in child welfare, juvenile, or criminal court.
*Prior experience working directly with legislators and gubernatorial staff.
Policy Counsel applicants must apply through NACC’s website, https://www.naccchildlaw.org/page/PolicyCounsel, and upload two (2) documents:
(1) Resume/CV;
(2) Cover letter which describes the applicant’s interest in advancing NACC’s mission, strategic plan, and Policy Agenda, and the applicant’s experience relevant to the position description and qualifications.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and no later than October 26. NACC seeks to hire by December of 2020.