Legislative Analyst

This position will be based in Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. FIRE operates on a hybrid work schedule that allows for a mix of in-the-office and remote work for eligible employees. Fully remote work will not be considered for this position.

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

Position Description

FIRE is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and effective Legislative Analyst to quickly and effectively analyze and respond to legislative developments implicating freedom of expression at the state and federal level. The Legislative Analyst will report directly to the Director of Legislative and Policy. The Legislative Analyst will also work closely with FIRE’s Public Advocacy team, Litigation team, Communications team, Strategic Partnerships team, and Engagement and Mobilization team.

To advance FIRE’s mission and to support a culture of free speech, responsibilities for the Legislative Analyst include, but are not limited to:

• Tracking and analyzing state and federal legislation, amendments to legislation, and regulations implicating First Amendment rights and civil liberties in the context of higher education.
• Authoring position papers and public commentary detailing FIRE’s position on legislative and policy issues.
• Analyzing and authoring reports, memoranda, and other materials on relevant legislative and policy proposals.
• Developing effective recommendations for strategically navigating broad policy and legal challenges over the long-term.
• Writing and editing content for FIRE’s website and other publications, participating in creating social media content, appearing in FIRE videos, drafting articles and columns for outside publications, and related tasks.

This position involves a moderate amount of travel. Occasional work on weekends and evenings should be expected.

The expected start date for this position will be as soon as possible.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will possess an excellent work ethic, the ability to work independently and on deadline, and — perhaps most importantly — excellent writing skills. The candidate must demonstrate a passion for FIRE’s mission and an ability to articulate that passion in a way that will rally others to our cause.

A compelling candidate will also possess:

• Previous experience in policy analysis, strategy and advocacy.
• A comprehensive understanding of First Amendment precedent and principles.
• Strong writing, copy-editing, and research skills for both legal audiences and the general public.
• The ability to analyze complex legal issues quickly and accurately.
• The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across the organization.
• Public speaking skills.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Candidates must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school and be a member of the bar of the jurisdiction in which they are based.

Salary and Compensation

Starting salary is negotiable and depends upon experience and education level. FIRE conducts periodic evaluations where employees may receive raises or bonuses for outstanding and excellent work. FIRE also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance; a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account option; matching retirement contributions; and a generous paid time-off plan.

Applications

Applicants should provide a resume, cover letter, and a writing sample or other demonstration of work. They should also provide salary requirements and contact information for at least two professional references. All applications are confidential. Please address applications to Cait Scanlan, Director of People Operations.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer.