Policy Associate

POSITION DESCRIPTION

OUR MISSION

We envision a world where the racist legal system has been dismantled and Black, Latiné, Indigenous, and other youth of color have the freedom and power to live their full lives. Our mission is to use legal services, policy advocacy, peer education, and other tools to build power and opportunity for Black, Latiné, and other youth of color who the criminal legal system and other systems of oppression harm the most.

POSITION SUMMARY

Youth Represent is hiring a Policy Associate to play a key role in our advocacy efforts to expand youth justice in New York. Our current advocacy aims to dismantle systems that criminalize teenagers and young adults in New York and to win investments in resources for young people and families.

Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Policy Associate will help us advance the campaigns for the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act (YJ&O) and other youth justice priorities and will support our youth engagement and youth development work. The Policy Associate will be primarily responsible for requesting and analyzing data on youth justice systems; drafting policy briefs, memos, testimony, and other advocacy materials; organizing events to elevate our campaigns and priorities; and providing logistical support to the policy team. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and will be comfortable working with a wide variety of stakeholders including young people, partner organization staff, elected officials, and government agency staff.

This is a full-time position based in New York, NY with some travel required throughout the state, especially to Albany. Candidates must be available to work some evenings and weekends.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research & Policy Analysis to Advance Youth Justice Priorities

• Request and analyze data to draft fact sheets and briefing papers.
• Draft public comments, talking points documents, op eds, and other policy documents.
• Work with our staff and Youth Committee to shift the public narrative around youth justice, education, and economic opportunity, including helping to draft and post social media content.
• Work collaboratively with the policy team, youth committee, and legal team to continually update and refine our policy reform priorities.
• Track lobbying and prepare lobbying reports for the City and State.
• Assist with grant writing and reporting.

Support the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act Campaign

• Participate in the Steering Committee and help guide campaign strategy and coordinate the YJ&O coalition.
• Expand the coalition by making connections to new partner organizations, especially outside of NYC.
• Request and coordinate meetings with elected officials.
• Take the lead on planning and logistics for Albany Advocacy Day.
• Coordinate with the team to organize actions and events including town halls, rallies, speak outs, and other events
• Support the Youth Committee by attending Youth Committee meetings and helping to identify trainings and projects for Youth Committee members.
• Update materials for YJ&O and work with the Steering Committee to draft new materials as needed.
• Work in partnership with the Communications team to draft social media posts, press releases, and other campaign materials.
• Document and track activities and outcomes.

Support our Partnership and Coalition Work

• Represent the organization in relevant coalitions and working groups.
• Participate in community-building events with other organizations, including rallies and direct actions, press conferences, forums and town hall events.
• Help to build and manage relationships with coalition partners, stakeholders, city and state government officials, and community partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-5 years of experience in policy advocacy, research, or a related field.
• A commitment to centering racial justice and the role of directly impacted youth in the fight for youth justice.
• A personal approach that values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Superb writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Experience reviewing and analyzing data in spreadsheets and using data to create engaging slide presentations.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently and to adhere to deadlines.
• Experience working in coalitions and building relationships with partner organizations and government officials is a plus.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

WORKING REQUIREMENTS

Employees are expected to work in-person at our lower Manhattan office at least three times a week, and to attend additional in person events around the City during the work week. Some travel is required and candidates must be available to work some evenings and weekends.

Candidates must reside in New York City or the surrounding area.

SALARY RANGE & BENEFITS PACKAGE

$57,200 - $62,800, commensurate with relevant experience.

Our benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance. We offer fully employer-covered health insurance, including vision and dental coverage, along with short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and a generous (17 week fully paid) parental leave policy. We offer four weeks of paid vacation (increasing to five weeks after five years of service), twelve holidays, five personal days, and twelve “sick or mental health” days, and we close the office during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Finally, each employee also has access to professional development funds and a $200 wellness fund. These comprehensive benefits reflect our commitment to our staff’s health, happiness, and overall satisfaction.

This position is a member of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys-UAW Local 2325.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should click on this LINK to apply. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample as a single pdf. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of Monday 11/11. Applications without cover letters that directly address the candidate’s fit with the key qualifications will not be considered.

Youth Represent is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating a truly equitable and anti oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We particularly encourage applicants from marginalized communities, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender nonconforming, disabled, and those directly impacted by the differing legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting a hiring process that is equitable and accessible to all.