Title: State Legislative Fellow
Department: US Program, State Policy & Advocacy
Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, and Washington, D.C.; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has fueled the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of more than $50 million and won the respect of law firms worldwide. Our global pro bono network includes over 2,100 lawyers across 6 continents, 88 countries, and 125 law firms, contributing over $30 million USD in pro bono legal services annually. The Center’s Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they were in 2020. The Center has a record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. The Center has also led development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting. To learn more about the Center, please go to www.reproductiverights.org
The Job: The State Legislative Fellow will report directly to a Senior State Legislative Counsel and will work closely with the rest of the State Policy and Advocacy Team as well as other members of U.S. Programs who engage in state legislative and policy work. The Fellow will be an integral part of the state work, which uses legislative and advocacy strategies to strengthen protections for reproductive rights and defeat attempts to restrict reproductive rights.
The positions will be based in the Center’s New York City office in a hybrid model of 3 days in-office, 2 days working from home. Covid-19 vaccination is required for all US-based employees of the Center.
Duration of Position: This is a full-time, two-year fellowship beginning in September 2025
Primary Responsibilities: The State Legislative Fellow’s primary job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
· Tracking and analyzing legislation impacting abortion rights and assisted reproduction in all fifty states and Washington, D.C;
· Providing technical assistance to state advocates and national partners;
· Preparing analyses of state legislation; presenting on legislative trends; conducting legal research; drafting public education and advocacy materials
· Assisting in proactive and defensive legislative strategies; and
· Working with the State Policy and Advocacy Team and other members of U.S. Programs on additional legislative and advocacy projects.
Qualifications:
· Strong commitment to the Center’s mission, purpose, and values along with knowledge of reproductive rights, reproductive justice, racial justice, and/or other civil rights and social justice issues
· All individuals must demonstrate a commitment to racial equity work and incorporating racial equity principles into legal work
· J.D. degree
· 1 to 2 years relevant work experience. Prior judicial clerkship, and/or fellowship desirable, but not required
· Proven capacity to analyze complex legal issues and ability to communicate them clearly and effectively
· Strong legal research and writing skills
· Ability to manage high volume of daily bill analysis and cohesively manage information
· Some state legislative, coalition, and/or political experience preferred
· Willingness to travel on occasion for conferences and work-related events
· Bar admission desirable, but not required
Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $85,000 for the first year of the fellowship and $95,600 for the second year of the fellowship.
Union Status: This position is anticipated to be within a bargaining unit. Center Policy Counsel are represented by UAW Local 2325 (ALAA).
FLSA Exempt Status: This is an exempt position.
Benefits:
- Health: The Center pays up to 90%* of the premium for a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage. (* % may differ in various countries).
- Flexibility: The Center currently operates in a hybrid model, requiring staff to work 3 days per week in the office and allowing work 2 days per week from home.
- Well-being: The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community well-being. The Center provides generous leave, including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their loved ones.
- Growth: You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and operational minds, all passionate about advancing reproductive rights worldwide. You will also be eligible for a stipend to use towards professional growth.
- Global: You will get a front-row seat to the fight for reproductive rights globally. You will have access to Employee Resource Groups to connect to colleagues with similar interests/backgrounds/views.
- Investment: After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of your annual salary to a 401(k) (*applicable only in US and Kenya).
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.
Center policy on visa sponsorship for U.S.-based positions: Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.
