Policy Counsel, Extremism

POSITION TITLE: Policy Counsel, Extremism

REPORTS TO: VP, Policy Counsel

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Interns

LOCATION:  Anywhere ADL has an office

Grade/Class: Grade H, Exempt, PSA-eligible

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Policy Counsel, Extremism (Counsel) will serve as ADL’s subject matter expert and play a key role in developing ADL’s policy priorities for countering extremism at the federal, state, and local levels.  A core function of this role will be to represent ADL as an expert/lead advocate for laws and policies that further ADL’s protecting against extremism equities – from all sides of the political spectrum. They will help represent ADL with national organizations and coalitions that have extremism and domestic terrorism expertise and will liaise, as appropriate, with coalitions and with Jewish communal organizations. Additionally, the Counsel will serve as a bridge to ADL’s regional offices and divisional policy team, and work with ADL’s Center on Extremism (COE), Center for Technology and Society (CTS), and Litigation team. The Counsel will also provide strategic advice and guidance to regional staff regarding the handling of ADL constituent complaints alleging civil rights violations or other concerns regarding extremism and hate.

Primary:

• Develop unique policy solutions to extremism for federal, state, and local action.
• Serve as subject matter expert regarding extremism policy, helping to determine ADL’s positions on policies to counter current trends and tactics used by extremist groups and movements.
• Lead ADL’s analysis of significant countering extremism policy proposals coming out of academic institutions and state/local legislative and regulatory bodies.
• Liaise with ADL’s Research Centers and the Litigation team to guide and support their work with a focus on policy and to create opportunities to lift up these teams’ expertise, materials and programs on extremism with national, state, and local leaders and influencers.
• Support regional offices and divisional staff in implementing ADL’s protecting against extremism efforts at the state and local level.
• Prepare legal and policy memoranda/reports for internal use by ADL leadership, regions, and relevant departments.
• Draft letters, op-ed pieces, and public statements for external publication. Respond to inquiries from internal and external sources, including other ADL staff, constituents, coalition partners, and government officials about education policy issues.
• Direct and guide Regional Directors and other regional staff on the handling of complaints alleging civil rights violations. Undertake research, draft correspondence and support regions in following up with complainants and other stakeholders.
• Build relationships with key thought leaders and other influentials (e.g., in government, academia, lobbying firms, civil society organizations, and philanthropy).
• Prepare and deliver presentations, briefings, CLE courses, and training to lay leaders, community organizations and other groups, as requested. Speak on behalf of ADL to government officials and employees, lawyers, education policy groups, civil rights groups, and other relevant audiences. Moderate or participate in panels and other public discussions about extremism policy.

Skills:

• Legal analytical and legal drafting skills are essential.
• Sophisticated understanding of policy-making and political dynamics.
• Exceptional networking, public speaking, writing, and communications skills are essential.
• Experience working alongside elected officials, policy makers and political operatives across the political spectrum.
• Skillful in discerning and navigating power dynamics and building trusting relationships.
• Able to develop project/work plans and execute them with minimal supervision.

Attributes:

• Detail-oriented.
• Natural leader and advocate.
• Open-minded. Understands rationale of both sides of issues and can operate in a non-partisan manner. 
• Team player. Comfort working with colleagues and partners across teams, remotely and across the country essential.  
• Entrepreneurial and can thrive in a fast-paced environment. 
• Highly adaptive and collaborative—actively seeks ideas, feedback, and participation of colleagues.
• Energized by ADL’s mission and work, particularly combating extremism from across the political spectrum.
• Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values.

Work Experience: 

• Significant experience and demonstrable ability in public policy agency or working in legal, political, policy, or government settings.
• Senior-level experience with federal, state, and local policy development and advocacy required.

Education: 

• BA/BS degree, JD degree prederred or equivalent experience required.

Work Environment: 

• Flexibility to work extended hours or on weekends as may be needed is required.
• Ability to spend long hours upon occasion at workstation/computer.
• Occasional travel on weekdays and weekends to attend events and conferences will be required from time to time. Occasional travel to regional offices, to D.C., or to ADL’s national office in New York may be required, e.g., to meet with donors or to brief staff and board members.
• ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 3 days in the office.

Compensation:

• This position has a salary range of $74,000 to $130,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York, New York. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations.  

ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of underrepresented ethnic groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws.    

ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact Talent & Knowledge at talentacquisition@adl.org.    

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws. 

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job, nor is it to be interpreted as a contract for employment.