Program and Community Associate

Innocence Project New Orleans (IPNO) is seeking a Program and Community Associate for the Louisiana Law Enforcement Accountability Database (LLEAD). IPNO is looking for a thoughtful and innovative individual with relevant experience to assist in expanding LLEAD, which will better enable IPNO to identify cases of potential wrongful conviction and engage the public through organizing and advocacy. The Program and Community Associate position is a grant-funded position, with an eye toward phasing a permanent position into IPNO at the end of the grant period.

About IPNO

IPNO frees innocent people sentenced to prison and those serving unjust sentences. We recognize the root causes of wrongful convictions and unjust sentences as systemic racism and inequities. We work to expose and address these root causes by sharing our clients’ stories in court, the legislature, the community and the media. We support our clients living well and fully in the world after their release.

About LLEAD

LLEAD is an initiative aimed at changing how communities hold police and prosecutors accountable by providing tools to identify and address official misconduct. The tools being developed and implemented by LLEAD will also serve IPNO’s screening process, allowing us to better identify cases of wrongful conviction that involve police and/or prosecutorial misconduct.

The LLEAD Associate will serve an instrumental role in designing, implementing, and improving the infrastructure necessary to achieve LLEAD’s goals, working closely with IPNO’s executive director and case manager. Further, LLEAD aims to shift power to communities to demand greater transparency and accountability from law enforcement by providing data-based analyses of corrupt patterns, practices, and actors in the criminal justice system. This will serve to build public trust by promoting systemic change in the institutions that most negatively impact our communities when they fail. LLEAD is a valuable tool for advocates, journalists, legal offices, and most importantly, communities.

About the Role

The LLEAD Program and Community Associate will play a crucial role in developing and implementing LLEAD. This position combines community engagement, policy advocacy, and data analysis to drive systemic change in the criminal legal system.

Key responsibilities include:

Community Organizing and Education

• Present LLEAD at community meetings and events to educate the public on available data and how to use LLEAD effectively.
• Engage with communities and organizations to identify data needs and types of reports that would be most useful to the community.
• Foster relationships with community partners and stakeholders.

Community Development

• Utilize research findings and data analysis to support community partners in pushing for policy changes.
• Collaborate with IPNO team members to develop data-driven policy recommendations.

Data Management and Analysis

• Assist in designing and seeding of the LLEAD database, ensuring data integrity and usability.
• Conduct data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Produce data-centric writing and presentations to effectively communicate findings.
• Work closely with IPNO's case manager to review potential wrongful conviction cases identified through LLEAD.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrate proficiency in data collection, analysis, and management techniques.
• Understand and anticipate data needs for various stakeholders.
• Stay current with relevant technologies and best practices in data management and analysis.

Collaboration and Outreach

• Identify and negotiate access to reliable information sources.
• Foster collaborations with agencies administering similar accountability programs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technology providers, government entities, and consultants.

Skills and Qualifications

IPNO will pay particular attention to demonstrated excellence in prior work or experience requiring outstanding organizational skills, ability to work both independently and collaboratively, attention to detail, strong oral advocacy skills, and excellent research and writing.

The ideal candidate will have the following personal and professional qualities:

• Associate’s Degree or 2 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice
• Experience in criminal, legal, government, and/or archival fields
• Experience with databases and/or case management systems, high level of computer literacy
• Knowledge of/experience with the criminal legal system or government agencies
• Experience reviewing legal cases and/or social science data
• Experience and demonstrated skill undertaking a significant role in complex projects

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $49,000 - $59,000. Salary will be commensurate with relevant experience. IPNO offers a very competitive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision and five weeks of paid vacation, 401k match, and cell phone reimbursement. IPNO provides a work environment that encourages health and self-care. IPNO is a family and pet friendly workplace.

Application

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to openings@ip-no.org. Please include the job title in the e-mail subject line. Please do not call. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

IPNO is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce reflective of the diverse communities we serve and support, with regard to race, culture, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, caregiver status. IPNO works to advance racial justice and equity. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and legal system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.