The Institute for Justice, the national law firm for liberty, is excited to announce an exciting opportunity for a Policy Associate to join our team. IJ is the country’s leading public-interest law firm in the areas of economic liberty, free speech, private property rights, and educational choice. We're committed to shaping a freer society, and this role is pivotal in our pursuit of justice, protection of individual liberties, and the defense of constitutional rights.
The Policy Associate will promote economic liberty at state legislatures. The associate will primarily advance legislation that protects the right to earn a living free from unreasonable governmental interference. The focus of this position will be repealing unnecessary occupational licensing laws and burdens, particularly for lower-income occupations, with an emphasis on cosmetology and barbering licensing reform.
Key Responsibilities:
Researching legislation with IJ’s Director of Legislation and Legislative Counsel, including:
Researching the need for legislation
Identifying bill supporters and opponents, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of bills
Meeting with key stakeholders
Developing and executing legislative strategies with IJ’s Director of Legislation and Legislative Counsel, including:
Identifying, securing, and managing direct relationships with bill sponsors
Identifying and organizing grassroots advocates
Forming coalitions with members of politically diverse organizations
Planning and executing media events to build support for legislation
Monitoring bills and ensuring text remains consistent with IJ’s strategies
Lobbying and assisting grassroots advocates in meeting with state legislators
Organizing testifiers for committee hearings
Drafting written testimony and testifying at committee hearings
Building and managing IJ campaign web pages using government affairs software
Required Qualifications Include:
Bachelor’s degree
Minimum 1 year of professional work experience
Knowledge of, and passion for, IJ’s pillars with a specific interest in occupational licensing reform in the beauty and barbering occupations
Ability to develop further expertise in IJ’s pillars
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively – both orally and in writing – with legislators, policy makers, activists, colleagues, coalition members, and media
Ability to analyze bills and statutes in collaboration with IJ attorneys
Top-tier organizational skills, including executing detailed plans for lobbying with people from diverse backgrounds and external members of coalitions
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and competing demands on short deadlines
Perseverance, optimism, and the ability to collaborate effectively with IJ attorneys
Ability to work across the political spectrum and demonstrate exceptional professionalism in both appearance and demeanor
Ability to support and advance sophisticated legislative efforts
Preferred qualifications include:
Background in political science, lobbying, or political communication
One year of experience working in a state legislature or in government affairs
Experience using government affairs software, such as Quorum or FiscalNote
Experience supporting and managing grassroots campaigns
Public speaking experience
Experience testifying at legislative committee hearings
Experience developing and building relationships
Additional Requirements:
Frequent travel to state capitols
Weekend work during state legislative sessions (January to May)
Representation of IJ at 3-4 conferences during the summer and fall months
Benefits:
Hybrid work schedule, requiring three days in-office each week; four fully remote weeks a year
Flexible work hours with our core business hours of 10am and 4pm
Smart casual dress code; casual Fridays
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
Free Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance plans
HSA employer contributions
401(k) with employer matches
Generous PTO including a paid personal day and 12 paid holidays
To Apply:
To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing how your experience and professional interests will ensure success in this position and a writing sample. The interview process will include a written writing skills assessment.
IJ is an equal opportunity employer.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At IJ we value a diverse workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
To learn more about our culture and benefits, visit our Working at IJ page.
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