Technology for Liberty Fellow

TO APPLY: Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter that best expresses their interest in this position and qualifications aligned with the role. In particular, applicants are encouraged to highlight: 

• Relevant experience leading or contributing to crisis communications efforts, especially in high-profile or high-stakes environments; 
• Experience managing and mentoring communications teams; and 
• How their communications leadership has advanced advocacy, policy, or mission-driven goals. 

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. A writing sample and three references (including two former or current supervisors) will also be required; additional instructions will be provided to shortlisted candidates. 

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Summary 

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) is seeking a full-time Technology for Liberty Fellow to join its Technology for Liberty (T4L) Program team. The T4L Fellow plays an integral part in ACLUM’s efforts to safeguard and promote civil rights and civil liberties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The focus of this role is to provide research, analysis, tools, and content—to increase transparency and accountability in the use of technology, promote synergy between new technologies and civil rights and civil liberties, protect privacy, and advance racial justice. This position reports to the Senior Advocacy Director for Technology & Justice and partners with other ACLUM colleagues to achieve program, legislative, litigation and other public advocacy objectives for the organization.
The ideal candidate for this position brings a keen interest in the intersection of technology and civil rights and civil liberties; enjoys working both independently and as a member of a diverse and multi- disciplinary team; and is comfortable working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Strong applicants will have demonstrated the ability to glean meaningful insight from research and large data sets, perform comprehensive data analyses and visualizations for public education, and convey complex concepts in simple terms to various audiences. 

Essential Duties 

Communication Strategy and Execution 

• Conduct research and data analysis, build and maintain analytic data tools and dashboards, and develop educational content to inform ACLUM teams, lawmakers, journalists, advocates, and the general public.
• Mine government records and other public data sets to glean insights for ACLUM’s work, and create further analyses and visualizations for publication. Partner with ACLUM’s Legislative, Legal, Advocacy and Communications teams to identify ways in which related content can inform and advance the organization’s law reform goals.
• Conduct data analysis in partnership with the Legal department to assist with strategic litigation efforts.
• Present data and analyses in written blog posts and reports to inform and shape public debates regarding key civil rights and civil liberties issues.
• Evaluate current and emerging machine-learning systems, automated decision systems, and related technologies, and consult with colleagues about the potential implications for civil rights and civil liberties.
• Oversee content generation, records management, and maintenance for the Data for Justice website and server.
• Propose novel ways to leverage technology and data science to support and advance ACLUM’s public-facing work and campaigns. Execute related projects and initiatives, as identified and assigned.
• Communicate and collaborate with external ACLUM partners and coalition members to further campaign goals and maintain strong organizational relationships.

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes 

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in computer science, or equivalent experience coding in a professional environment required. Minimum of one year’s experience working as a technical professional required.

• Experience using data science and visualization to inform an organization’s decision making and advance mission-focused objectives.

• Fluency in an analytic programming language such as Python or R.

• Experience working with spreadsheets and tabular data using R, Python and/or command line tools. Experience with SQL is a plus.

• Extensive experience using data visualization tools such as Infogram, Datawrapper, ggplot, matplotlib, and D3.js.

• Experience designing dashboards and user interfaces using tools such as R Shiny, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, or React.

• Familiarity with web design using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and version control via GitHub.

• Familiarity with geodata and mapping tools (e.g., Leaflet), content management software (e.g., WordPress), and server management software (e.g., Apache, Nginx).

• Experience working with graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud).

• Experience with web scraping (e.g., BeautifulSoup, Playwright, Selenium, etc.) a plus.

• Familiarity with the latest research and trends related to machine learning—especially regarding fairness, accountability, and transparency.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in public speaking a plus.

• Sound project management skills, and the ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks within a portfolio of work.

• Resourcefulness in conducting research, and ability to glean meaningful insight from research findings.

• Desire and proven ability to work both independently and as a member of a diverse and multi- disciplinary team.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, ability to meet regular deadlines, and demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality output.

• Interest in collaborating with a broad network of advocates and scholars on issues related to data, technology, equity, and policy; and willingness to learn new technical and political tools and concepts, as needed.

• Strong belief in ACLUM’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties.

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion. Respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic background.

Key Performance Indicators 

• Timely and meticulous delivery of research, data analyses, dashboards and trackers, visualization tools, as well as data mapping projects

• Effective management of multiple projects at once, while publishing on-time and accurate work

• Proactivity, resourcefulness, and creativity in identifying and mining data sets; gleaning insights from analyses; and developing content for ACLUM use and public consumption

• Ongoing functionality of existing Data for Justice tools, dashboards, and interactive content

• Effective collaboration with ACLUM colleagues and other stakeholders

Other Requirements 

• Frequent written and verbal communication.
• Extensive reading, preparing, and analyzing information, in hard copy and electronic format.
• Frequent and extended periods of being in a stationary position, in an office environment and outdoor venues.
• Flexibility to accommodate work outside of regular business hours when warranted, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Compensation 

Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with ACLUM’s collective bargaining agreement. Estimated minimum salary of $72,000. Benefits include 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, and paid vacation and holidays. Reimbursement for mileage may be provided in accordance with ACLUM policies, when applicable.

About the ACLU of Massachusetts 

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through strategies of litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, we strengthen and expand public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights (including equal marriage), women's rights, criminal justice issues, equal opportunity, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students' rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights. ACLUM staff are unionized and this position will be within the bargaining unit.  

ACLUM is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, queer people, and formerly incarcerated people to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

This position will be based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation. 

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