Campaign Strategist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fines & Fees Justice Center (FFJC) is seeking a Campaign Strategist who will be a key part of FFJC’s National Advocacy team. This position will be responsible for partnering with advocates and our allies in states across the country, and supporting the National Advocacy and Campaigns Team in executing high-impact, collaborative work. The Campaign Strategist will advance and grow our Free to Drive and End Justice Fees campaigns, help meet the needs of our state partners, become an expert on fines and fees legislation, and ensure that our team’s work is being tracked and discussed in an accurate and timely way.

This position will require travel to various states, national conferences, and convenings throughout the year, including FFJC’s two (bi-annual) multi-day team retreats each year.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Nearly every interaction a person has with the justice system, regardless of guilt or innocence, comes with a bill. But for those without the means to immediately pay up or fight back, one missed payment opens the door to dire, lifelong consequences.

The Fines and Fees Justice Center was founded to end the immoral practice of governments’ using fines and fees to profit off the most vulnerable. We empower state and local efforts to end fees in the justice system and ensure that fines are fair and equitably imposed.

FFJC has achieved over 20 legislative victories and directly aided even more, authored two dozen original research and policy reports, and partnered with more than 300 organizations to advance the national fines and fees reform movement.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Reporting to the National Advocacy and Campaigns Director, the Campaign Strategist will:

• Partner with state advocates and other key allies to advance the mission of the Free to Drive and End Justice Fees campaigns, and work on emerging fines and fees issues
• Understand the resources or support that state-level partners and advocates need to advance fines and fees reform, and take steps or develop plans to meet those needs in collaboration with the Advocacy Team, the Communications Team, and the Research & Policy Team.
• Identify new state or national partners that FFJC can work with to advance our mission, and develop strategies to engage those partners.
• Analyze, help draft, and offer feedback on bipartisan legislative proposals that address fines and fees issues.
• Support team member’s state legislative reform efforts by tracking key legislation, helping the team prepare for legislative engagement (e.g. drafting testimony, compiling fact sheets, developing one-pagers), and monitoring and sharing significant updates related to our work.
• Ensure that our team’s work is accurately discussed in internal and external communications, such as newsletter or social media content, thereby deepening understanding of our team’s work, how we talk about that work, and what we’re fighting to achieve.

This role is full-time and remote within the continental United States and must be able to work Monday-Friday 12-4 pm Eastern Time, as well as in line with the necessary times to be fully engaged in and responsive to the National Advocacy and Campaigns Team’s work. The 12-4pm block is the hours during which all staff must be available; the other working hours within the day are flexible according to one’s time zone and the needs of one’s team and the approval of the direct supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• At least 2-4 years of relevant experience, including at least 1 year in advocacy at the local, state, or federal level, specifically in the criminal legal system. Criminal justice, economic justice, or racial justice advocacy and/or campaign experience preferred.
• Experience observing or directly engaging in legislative advocacy, including drafting, analyzing, and commenting on legislation.
• Experience working in coalitions.
• Experience developing written materials such as fact sheets, one-pagers, or press releases.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate with professionals in various fields, as well as community-based organizations and impacted individuals.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a growing non-profit environment.

Attributes

• Organized, diligent, proactive, and attention to detail;
• Committed to personal and professional growth and constant learning;
• Solution-oriented and strategic thinker;
• Passion for criminal legal system reform;
• Flexible and adaptable;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Sense of humor;
• Willingness to travel and work nights and weekends as needed, particularly during legislative sessions when many things are moving quickly.

FFJC encourages and welcomes those who have personal experience with the impacts of the criminal legal system, or the social systems connected to poverty or, to apply for this role.

FFJC’s compensation philosophy consists of a 5-band salary structure. The Campaign Strategist is a Band 1 position. The starting salary for the position is between $70,000 – $75,000 based on the qualifications of the candidate at the time of hire. FFJC offers excellent benefits including:

• 401(k) option with up to 6% employer contribution;
• Extremely generous employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families;
• Pre-tax transportation, dependent care, and flexible spending account benefits;
• Substantial paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, 4 floating holidays, 120 hours of vacation time, 96 hours of sick leave, and 24 hours of volunteer leave annually. FFJC also closes its office during the week of July 4th for all employees;
• Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 1 year of employment;
• Employees who work 4 consecutive years at FFJC receive an additional week of paid vacation annually.
• Employees who work 6 consecutive years at FFJC receive an 8-week paid sabbatical in their sixth year.