Senior Policy Analyst, Courts and Legal Policy
Reports to:
Senior Director, Courts and Legal Policy
Staff reporting to this position:
None
Department:
Structural Reform and Governance
Position classification:
Exempt, full time; Union - Level 5
Compensation range:
$68,000–$81,600
Work site:
Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)
Summary
American Progress is seeking a highly motivated, creative professional to join the Structural Reform and Governance department, on its Courts and Legal Policy team, as a Senior Policy Analyst. This Senior Policy Analyst will work hand in hand with staff across the organization to improve the functioning of the U.S. courts and legal system. The ideal candidate will be a consummate team player with strong research, writing, and project management skills; an attention to detail; a willingness to work on a wide range of policy issues; a commitment to safeguarding an independent and well-functioning judiciary; and the ability to advance a long-term strategy to ensure that the courts are a key pillar of a resilient democracy. The position will report to the Senior Director for Courts and Legal Policy.
This role will be driven by American Progress’ mission to improve the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation, but changing the country. The Senior Policy Analyst will be part of a dynamic staff that supports work across American Progress’ five crosscutting priorities:
- Building an economy for all
- Restoring social trust in democracy
- Advancing racial equity and justice
- Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
- Strengthening health
The courts remain a significant barrier to addressing many of the major challenges facing the United States, including climate change, structural racism, income inequality, and threats to the country’s democracy. The Senior Policy Analyst will help develop a long-term strategy to bring structural reforms to the courts and advance and shape a “popular constitutionalism” that recognizes the role of all three branches of government and the American people in interpreting the Constitution.
As a multi-issue think tank with capacity across virtually every public policy issue area, American Progress is uniquely situated within the progressive space to elevate policy issues around the courts and important legal reforms as a priority.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, and manage the production and distribution of a variety of written products—including reports, issue briefs, columns, and op-eds—that influence the policy debate surrounding key court and legal policy issues.
- Conduct research and analysis on court and legal policy issues.
- Analyze and track pending state and federal legislative proposals affecting the courts and legal reform, as well as major cases pending before federal courts.
- Elicit and provide feedback on written products for both internal and external partners.
- Engage in rapid response to policy developments as needed, including drafting articles, op-eds, fact sheets, social media posts, and shareables.
- Provide research support on these issues for senior staff.
- Collaborate with staff working across a range of issues, including to identify crosscutting issues and projects.
- Engage in issue-based coalitions and represent American Progress in external meetings with Capitol Hill staff, diverse coalition partners, and media contacts to advance the organization’s work.
- Help embody a culture of justice, equity, and inclusion by performing tasks with these values at their core.
- Develop and maintain expertise in assigned areas of responsibility.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements and qualifications:
- Juris Doctor is strongly preferred. Exceptional candidates with equivalent experience will be considered.
- At least three years of professional experience in legal reform or legislative policy or a related field. Education, internships, activist roles, and volunteer experience may all be taken into account.
- Interest in the court system and legal policy and the ability to translate complex issues into compelling and resonant messages for the public.
- Familiarity with the federal judiciary process and the prominent legal issues that arise in federal courts.
- High level of creativity with the ability to solve problems and identify creative approaches to complex challenges.
- Appreciation for the importance of the court and legal system in shaping the country.
- Proficient written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate policy matters to a nonpolicy audience.
- Ability to independently plan, prioritize, allocate time, balance projects, and coordinate with internal and external partners.
- Ability to independently manage projects from conception to completion.
- Ability to work under and meet deadlines in a team setting.
- Commitment to treating all partners with courtesy and respecting those of different cultural backgrounds.
American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by IFPTE Local 70 and has a salary range of $68,000–$81,600.
American Progress’ hybrid work policy is posted on our Jobs page. Please visit this page for updates. Any changes to this policy will also be communicated at the time of hire.
Apply Now
This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.
Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.
Thank you for your interest in American Progress.
Additional information
American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize the progressive agenda: the Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid-response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy, and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.
American Progress is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity is more than a commitment at American Progress—it is the foundation of what we do. American Progress recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, and all the other characteristics that make us unique.
For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org. For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaction.org.