Policy Counsel

About Us

Advocates for Trans Equality fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America. Leveraging decades of experience on the frontlines of power, we shift government and society towards a future where we are no less than equal. Founded in 2024, Advocates for Trans Equality was formed through an alliance by two national trans advocacy organizations and is of, for, and by the trans community. Advocates for Trans Equality (501c4) and Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund (501c3) will focus its efforts on political and legal advocacy, public education, and community engagement. The Advocates for Trans Equality team catalyzes progress from the inside out and will settle for nothing less than equality for trans people in America.

Position Summary

• Position: Policy Counsel
• Department: Strategic Programs
• Reports to: Director of State Policy
• FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
• Union Status: Union Eligible
• Salary: $96,213.10 - $104,261.78

A4TE’s policy team seeks a Policy Counsel to further our state policy advocacy. The Policy Counsel will write policy recommendations, provide expert legal and policy analysis on relevant issues affecting transgender people, and build collaborative relationships with advocates, decision-makers, and issue experts to further A4TE’s policy goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a legal analyst and policy advocate on legal and policy issues affecting transgender people at the state and federal level

• Research the legal implications of various policy positions under intersecting and related state-specific and federal laws

• Track, analyze, and write policy recommendations and public comments on state legislation, regulations, guidance documents, and other policies

• Track, analyze, and write policy recommendations and public comments on local ordinances and other policies impacting municipalities

• Write content for policy documents including know-your-rights guides, fact sheets, advocacy letters, and other public education and advocacy materials in partnership with Public Education and Strategic Communications

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with state, local, and federal legislative and agency staff to provide technical assistance and support policy advocacy

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with state partner organizations to provide technical assistance in support of A4TE's policy goals

• Provide partners with legislative, legal, and policy analysis, draft legislative and regulatory text, talking points, and provide other technical assistance in accordance with A4TE’s policy goals

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with professional associations and subject matter experts to act as validators for administrative, regulatory, legislative, and/or ordinance processes

• Develop and provide training and educational presentations for governmental, educational, and business organizations and associations, and for conferences

• Develop and maintain up-to-date online policy and public education resources on relevant issue areas

• Direct individuals to supportive policy resources

• Work with A4TE’s Organizing team to support state partner in mobilization efforts, including but not limited to action alerts, text banks, and other strategies in support of advancing policy goals

• Work with A4TE’s Strategic Communications, Public Education, and Legal teams to produce publications, website and blog content, op-eds, and similar materials and to respond to press inquiries and interview requests on relevant issue areas

• Serve as an A4TE spokesperson on state and related federal policy to both expert and lay audiences as needed. This may include interactions with reporters and journalists and presenting at conferences, CLEs, and other public forums 

• Occasional cross-functional collaboration projects outside of the above scope of work

Required Qualifications

A4TE Education Fund acknowledges that applicants from communities that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they completely meet all qualifications listed in a job description. We understand that an ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area; we especially encourage applicants who are impacted by A4TE’s work to submit their application anyway.

• Policy Counsel Experience: A minimum of 6-8 years of experience as a policy analyst and attorney. License to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

• Legal Knowledge: A strong command of constitutional and administrative law and statutory construction, legislative, and regulatory analysis. Excellent legal writing and oral presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and exhibit good judgement for advancing complex policy strategies.

• Organizational Experience: Direct experience in social justice, government, organizing, and/or movement building organizations.

• Understanding of Transgender Justice: A deep and nuanced understanding of issues affecting transgender people as well as an understanding of how racism, classism, sexism, and other systems of inter-connected oppressions affect trans people. Strong belief in A4TE’s mission and the people who are driving the work forward.

• Understanding of Racial and Economic Justice: Ability to use a dynamic understanding of the impact of racial, gender, and economic justice and systems of inter-connected oppressions to improve equity in operations and organizational decision-making.

• Technological Knowledge: Experience in all areas of MS Office 365 and collaborative tools, such as Slack, Asana, and Zoom. Experience with legal software, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, FastCase or similar product.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Language Proficiency: Fluency or proficiency in a language other than English, especially Spanish.

• Technological Knowledge: Experience in using FileVine, EveryAction, FiscalNote, or other legal and policy database tools.

Traits of Successful Candidates

• Trustworthy & Collaborative: Excellent relationship and trust building capabilities and a demonstrated track record building, leading, and managing teams; serving as a coach and mentor to staff across a range of areas. An earned reputation for being trustworthy, with excellent judgment and discretion. Kindness and strengths-based leadership: someone who sees value in every person and communicates respect and encouragement to people at all levels; a passionate investment in the well-being and success of staff. A willingness to accept input and feedback from colleagues at all levels of the organization.

• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written skills to communicate complex policies and procedures to ensure staff have the information needed for their position responsibilities and overall organizational workflow; ability to listen to staff concerns and feedback to assist in working together for solutions that comply with organizational policies. Ability to understand organizational needs and contracts to communicate with those outside of the organization.

• Responsive Problem-Solving Skills: Agile project management skills, ability to develop and implement new strategies and procedures, and meet multiple competing deadlines. Strong strategic thinking and analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Self-Direction: Initiative and ambition to ensure that all projects are moving forward. Ability to adapt as needed, self-manage, and prioritize between and manage multiple demands.

• Optimism: A positive and productive attitude to problem-solving within the context of intense social justice work. Optimistic and resourceful, with strong self-awareness, cultural competence, emotional intelligence, and humility; grounded and flexible with a high degree of integrity and transparency.

• Strength and Persistence: The ability to be exposed to transphobia and other kinds of discrimination or stress on a daily basis and keep fighting hard for transgender equality.

• Prioritization and Detail Orientation: Ability to set and meet goals, prioritize, plan, manage, and complete work on deadline and in optimum quality. Excellent planning, forecasting, strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Application Requirements:

Please make sure to successfully upload and submit the following required materials listed below.

Only full and complete applications submitted via BreezyHR will be considered. Incomplete applications missing any materials are automatically disqualified.

• A complete resume or curriculum vitae (C.V.);

• A thoughtful cover letter describing your interest of working at A4TE and what makes you a good fit for this role. We review every complete submission, so please take advantage of the opportunity to introduce yourself and your experience for the desired position.

• Two policy writing samples. At least one writing sample must be a legal memorandum or brief legal citations and/or legal arguments that demonstrates your ability to research and analyze law as it pertains to policy. The other writing sample should demonstrate relevant analytical and communication skills to the role (i.e., continuing legal education materials, Know-Your-Rights publications, article, public comment, etc.) Both writing samples should not exceed 15 pages each. Writing excerpts are acceptable.

Timeline

Anticipated start date November 1, 2025

Hiring at A4TE

Advocates for Trans Equality is an equal opportunity employer. A4TE is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and disrespectful or other unprofessional conduct based on age, citizenship, color, creed, physical or mental disability, economic status, education, ethnicity, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, health status including HIV status, height, housing status, marital status, matriculation, national origin, physical appearance, race, religion, political affiliation, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, union membership, veteran status or other unlawful factors. This policy applies to all employment practices including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, benefits, promotions, training, disciplinary action, and termination.