Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project - July 30, 2021
YSRP seeks a Policy Director to support our efforts to end youth incarceration in Pennsylvania, with a particular focus on ending the practice of charging youth as adults. The Policy Director will play a leadership role in the Care, Not Control (C,NC) campaign, which has led advocacy efforts focused on educating Pennsylvania’s statewide Juvenile Justice Task Force, and will now pivot to advocating for the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. The Policy Director is a full-time, exempt, staff position that will report to YSRP’s Co-Directors, and will work closely with Care, Not Control’s partner organizations and youth-led leadership body. Over time, the Policy Director will also lead YSRP’s related policy efforts to reform the adult justice system’s treatment of youth in and around Philadelphia.
The Policy Director will be responsible for the following core duties:
Develop & Implement Campaign Strategies
In the near term, we expect that the Policy Director will spend the majority of their time advancing C,NC’s demands and policy agenda, with the remainder focused on YSRP’s related goals regarding youth charged as adults, as outlined below:
Develop policy briefs and draft proposed legislation that further core C,NC demands and YSRP priorities;
Organize and participate in policy briefings, roundtables, and other public events;
Work collaboratively with YSRP staff and C,NC partner organizations, especially youth leadership, to craft and refine policy agenda;
Develop new, and deepen existing relationships with key stakeholders to advance our campaign and organizational goals;
Track and monitor legislative activity pursuant to 501(c)(3) lobbying compliance standards; and
Support YSRP’s policy-related communications, including, but not limited to: Draft e-blasts; develop and draft web content and social media posts to support YSRP’s role in C,NC and related policy agenda.
Develop & Provide Campaign Support & Partnership
Support coordination of meetings and logistics as needed for the C,NC campaign and related YSRP policy efforts. This may include:
Coordinate special events planning and logistics;
Support authentic youth leadership in policy agenda and campaign activities, by listening closely and centering youth organizing and decision-making; and
Liaise between YSRP program staff and external partners on all aspects of YSRP and C,NC’s policy agenda.
The position may include performing additional duties at the discretion of YSRP’s Co-Directors.
Qualifications:
At least 5-7 years of combined experience in a policy advocacy, direct representation and/or organizing role
Expertise in the day-to-day functioning of Pennsylvania’s criminal legal system a plus; familiarity required
JD preferred but not required
Excellent writing skills
Experience with drafting policy briefs and/or proposed legislation in Pennsylvania
Experience liaising with stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s legislature
Excellent Microsoft Office & Google Suite skills
Experience with project management
Comfortable working remotely
Willingness to work evenings occasionally and to travel as needed
People directly impacted by incarceration and the criminal legal system – or who have a family member who has been directly impacted – are strongly encouraged to apply
Black and Brown people who are from communities directly impacted by mass incarceration are strongly encouraged to apply
Skills & Values:
Demonstrated alignment with YSRP’s mission and values as a racial justice organization
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, sense of humor, and compassion
Outstanding, demonstrated organizational, administrative, and analytical skills
Self-motivated, resourceful team player with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality
Compensation:
The starting salary for the Policy Director is $70,000. This is a full-time, exempt position. YSRP offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 100% employer-paid health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, and generous paid time off.
Logistics:
This position will begin and may remain remote, depending on the selected candidate’s circumstances and interests. Some travel to/from Harrisburg and Philadelphia will be required. Interested in applying? Click here.