Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Fellow

at American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey

🏢 About American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey

The ACLU of New Jersey is the state affiliate of the nation's premier civil liberties organization, uniquely positioned to fight for racial, economic, and social justice through a combination of legislative advocacy, litigation, and grassroots organizing. Working there means joining a mission-driven team where policy wins directly translate into protecting the rights of marginalized communities in New Jersey and setting national precedents.

About This Role

This Policy Fellow role is an early-career, campaign-focused position that blends rigorous policy research, legislative analysis, and hands-on advocacy—including drafting memos, testifying, and meeting with legislators. You'll be embedded in the Political Advocacy team, helping to shape and eventually lead reform campaigns on issues like criminal justice, immigrants' rights, and reproductive freedom, making it an ideal launchpad for a career in civil rights policy.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team check-in, followed by researching a newly introduced bill and drafting a memo for the Political Advocacy team, then attending a coalition meeting with community partners to coordinate messaging. In the afternoon, you might prepare talking points for an upcoming legislator meeting, update a fact sheet with the Communications team, and end by logging your outreach and planning the next day's legislative visits.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Is Looking For

  • A recent graduate or early-career professional with a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, social justice, or progressive policy work (internships, volunteer roles, or coursework count).
  • Strong research and writing skills, including the ability to distill complex legislation into clear memos and advocacy materials for diverse audiences.
  • Some experience or familiarity with legislative processes, coalition building, or community organizing—whether through a state legislature, advocacy org, or grassroots campaign.
  • A proactive, collaborative self-starter who can manage multiple deadlines in a remote work environment and is eager to develop into a policy leader.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey

1

Tailor your resume and cover letter to explicitly reference ACLU-NJ's priority issues (e.g., criminal legal reform, immigrants' rights, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom) and, if possible, mention specific New Jersey bills or campaigns you've followed.

2

In your cover letter, highlight any experience drafting policy memos, legislative summaries, or advocacy one-pagers—attach a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze a bill or policy issue in a persuasive, accessible way.

3

Show that you understand the difference between the ACLU's national work and the state affiliate's role: mention how you'd support the Political Advocacy team's state-level strategy and collaboration with the National ACLU.

4

Use your application to tell a story about why you're committed to civil rights in New Jersey specifically—whether you grew up there, studied there, or have organized in the state—and how this fellowship fits into your long-term advocacy goals.

5

If you have any experience with community outreach, coalition meetings, or event support, quantify it (e.g., 'organized 5 lobby days with 50+ participants') and connect it to the fellowship's campaign and stakeholder engagement duties.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific interest in ACLU-NJ's policy priorities and any relevant academic, volunteer, or professional experience that prepares you to research and advance those issues.", 'Concrete examples of your policy research and writing—such as a memo you drafted, testimony you helped prepare, or a fact sheet you created—and how you tailored it for an advocacy audience.', 'Your ability to work collaboratively with legislators, coalition partners, and community stakeholders, ideally with a story about a time you helped build or maintain a relationship in a policy or organizing context.', "Your eagerness to grow into a campaign leader, including how you've taken initiative on a project and how you'd approach learning the legislative landscape in New Jersey."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the ACLU-NJ website, especially their 'Issues' and 'Legislation' pages, to identify their current policy priorities and any active campaigns (e.g., smart justice, immigrants' rights, voting rights).
  • → Look up recent testimony or public comments submitted by ACLU-NJ staff to New Jersey legislative committees—this will show you the tone and depth of their advocacy and help you mirror it in your application.
  • → Follow the ACLU-NJ on social media and read their recent press releases to understand how they communicate wins and frame debates in the current political climate.
  • → Research the New Jersey legislature's current session calendar and key bills related to civil liberties, so you can speak concretely about the landscape the fellowship would engage with.
Visit American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 A policy issue currently before the New Jersey legislature that aligns with ACLU-NJ's mission—be prepared to discuss its civil liberties implications and how you'd research or advocate on it.
2 How you would approach drafting a memo or fact sheet on a complex bill for different audiences (e.g., legislators vs. coalition partners vs. the public).
3 A time you worked with a coalition or community group to advance a policy goal, and how you handled differing viewpoints or competing priorities.
4 Your understanding of the ACLU-NJ's structure and how the Political Advocacy team collaborates with the Communications, Legal, and Organizing departments.
5 How you would manage multiple campaign tasks—research, legislative meetings, event support—in a remote work environment while maintaining attention to detail and deadlines.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention ACLU-NJ, New Jersey-specific policy issues, or the Political Advocacy team—this signals a lack of genuine interest in the affiliate's work.
  • Overstating your experience or using vague language like 'passionate about social justice' without concrete examples of policy research, writing, or advocacy that demonstrate your skills.
  • Ignoring the early-career nature of the fellowship: applying with a senior-level resume or expecting to lead campaigns immediately, rather than showing eagerness to learn and support the team while developing expertise.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey!

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