The ACLU of Hawaiʻi is excited to announce that our Policy Department is accepting applications to work as an ACLU Policy Legislative Fellow beginning in Fall 2024!

Who We Are

The ACLU of Hawai‘i is an affiliate office of the American Civil Liberties Union, a national nonprofit,  nonpartisan public interest organization devoted to the protection of civil liberties and civil rights through litigation, legislative advocacy, organizing, and community education. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi works primarily on issues that directly impact people who live in Hawaiʻi.

We take pride in our reputation of over 50 years fighting for people whose civil rights and liberties are challenged. And now—with never-before-imagined threats to civil liberties nationally, the increased need to be a check on government locally, and the 400-years overdue increased awareness of the impacts of systemic racism on every element of our society—it is the ideal time to join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of Hawai‘i and the United States!

We are currently pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns (Decriminalizing Poverty, Reimagining Policing and Smart Justice) to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights while building the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement. 

What We Do

The Policy Department is currently working on a variety of matters, including but not limited to Cannabis Legalization, Clean Slate,  Clemency, Pretrial Fairness, Law Enforcement Oversight, Reimagining Public Safety, LGTBQ+ Rights, Reproductive Rights and eliminating racial disparities in our criminal legal system. The Policy Department also engages in other forms of advocacy, including testifying before other government bodies, requesting information under Hawaii’s Public Records law, providing education on public policies, and working in collaboration with our legal and communications teams, as well as community based organizations and groups to advance our campaign objectives.

Fellowship Overview

The ACLU of Hawaiʻi seeks current third-year law and graduate degree students, recent law graduates (graduation within the past year) and students with graduate level degrees (master level degrees and above) to sponsor for a paid one year fellowship to start in Fall 2024.  The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain experience working with leading civil liberties advocates on exciting and rewarding matters in a supportive environment.

Position Description

The Policy Fellow is a full-time exempt position that will support the Policy Department’s work and our response to policy proposals affecting civil rights and civil liberties at the state and local level.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Support the Policy Department in preparing for the legislative session.
  • Assist in tracking legislation and helping to maintain the legislative calendar.
  • Analyze proposed legislation.
  • Conduct policy and legislative research.
  • Prepare policy related memoranda.
  • Draft and present testimony on behalf of the organization to state and local policymakers.
  • Advocate for civil liberties and civil rights and represent the ACLU of Hawai’i at public events.
  • Assist in drafting Freedom of Information Act/Chapter 92 requests to gather data for policy analysis.
  • Represent the ACLU in coalitions, stakeholder meetings, legislative hearings, community forums and public events.
  • Work with ACLU staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies utilizing ACLU’s communications, policy, and legal programs.
  • Assist in taking and keeping notes at internal policy department meetings,  select coalition meetings and external policy meetings.
  • Assist in coordinating ACLU Townhall meetings, trainings, and other community engagement events.
  • Review and edit correspondence and policy related materials, including communications.

Supervision

The Policy Legislative Fellow will work within the Policy Department, under the direct supervision of the Policy Director.  The Policy Fellow will also work on other assignments with other departments as needed.

Location

The ACLU of Hawaiʻi office is in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi has a hybrid work model with three in-office days required each week.  Residency in Honolulu is required.  This position will require some travel within the City and County of Honolulu and may include travel to other counties within Hawai’i.

Compensation, External Funding and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt fellowship position for one year.  The salary for this position is $55,000.00 and is based on the ACLU of Hawaii's pay equity structure.

Fellows who receive funding through their law or graduate school and/or other outside source are also encouraged to apply.   If you receive funding from your school or external source, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi will supplement the fellowship funding amount so that the fellow will receive a salary of $55,000.00 per year.

Excellent benefits include generous vacation and sick leave in the form of eighteen (18) days of Paid Authorized Absence (PAA) to be used during your tenure (it is not paid out at the conclusion of your Fellowship); 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave (if eligible); individual/family employer-provided health insurance with 100% of premiums covered for the employee; long-term disability; defined contribution plan with employer match; paid parking; and thirteen (13) paid holidays. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Policy Fellow is expected to work 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

  • Candidates who will have obtained a Juris Doctorate or graduate level degree (i.e. Masters or Doctorate degree) by summer 2024 in public policy, political science, sociology, criminology, social work, public health, and other relevant disciplines.  
  • Candidates aligned with our mission and a demonstrated commitment to—and substantive knowledge of—civil rights, civil liberties, equity, and social justice (broadly defined).
  • Candidates should possess strong research, writing, and analytical skills, as well as strong communications, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Candidates must have the demonstrated ability to work independently as needed and manage multiple projects with competing deadline, while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
  • Candidates should possess the ability to work collaboratively to advance public policy and creative problem solving to resolve challenges.
  • Candidates must 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.
  • We value lived, educational, and professional experience that would make a Policy Fellow effective at working with communities that have been impacted by violations of civil rights and civil liberties.
  • While not required, we prefer candidates who are familiar with Hawaiʻi—its culture, politics, history and current civil rights and civil liberties challenges.

How to Apply

If you are a recent (or soon-to-be) law school graduate or graduate student who is excited about devoting your talents and skills to the ACLU of Hawaiʻi starting in  

Fall 2024, please send—in a single combined PDF, and in the following order:

(1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) writing sample, (4) transcript and (5) two references to

 Jobs@acluhawaii.org.

The subject line of your transmittal email must be in the following form: “Fall 2024 Policy Legislative Fellowship Application – [Last Name], [First Name]”.

The ACLU of Hawai’i is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation relating to the job announcement and application process, please email Jobs@acluhawaii.org

Here are further instructions on each application component:

  1. Cover letter.
  • Your cover letter should not exceed 800 words and must include:
  • your earliest available start date and your preferred start date
  • how you learned about the position,
  • what funding source(s) you intend to seek (if any), and any related fellowship restrictions/parameters.
  • Your cover letter also should address the following:
  • why you are interested in this position
  • how your skills, expertise, experiences, and mindset make you a good fit for this position
  • what familiarity do you have with the culture, politics, and history of Hawaiʻi and current challenges to civil rights and civil liberties issues in Hawai‘i.   

2. Resume. Please limit your resume to one page.

3. Writing sample. Your writing sample must be no longer than 5 pages and should demonstrate your writing and critical analysis skills and/or your ability to present ideas or arguments in a clear and organized manner. Your writing sample must also be your own work product.

4. Transcript. Please include a transcript from your law school or graduate school. 

5. References. Please provide a list of at least two (2) references.  For each reference, include a sentence that describes your relationship and identifies what information or perspective the person can provide on your candidacy. At least one of your references should be a current or former supervisor.

Deadline 

Interviews are expected to begin in May 2024. 

We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with a target start date of September 2024.  When the position is filled, this job posting will be removed.

The ACLU of Hawai'i is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to  race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; ancestry; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; gender identity or expression; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.

 

 

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