Deadline date
August 28, 2020
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA) seeks an experienced criminal justice policy advocate to advance the ACLU-PA’s efforts to dismantle mass incarceration, with a focus on reducing the number of people incarcerated in Western Pennsylvania and eliminating racial disparities in the system. This position is part of the ACLU-PA’s Campaign for Smart Justice.
The criminal justice policy advocate will be part of the advocacy and policy department and will work closely with our legal, communications and other advocacy staff to develop and promote policy recommendations and potentially impact litigation to reform criminal justice systems in Western Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on Allegheny County. Issues of focus include, but are not limited to, bail reform, police reform, ending debtors’ prisons (the practice of incarcerating individuals who cannot afford to pay court fines and fees), and probation reform.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice systems, an understanding of the levers of change within these systems, and experience working with government stakeholders, as well as incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, abolitionist and Black activist communities. They will also have experience working on projects involving many partners, complex issues, and extensive writing. This candidate must also have a strong commitment to working collaboratively with grassroots partners, directly impacted individuals, and colleagues.
This position will report to the criminal justice policy counsel. This position will be based in Pittsburgh but require travel around Western Pennsylvania and across the state on a regular basis. Occasional weekends and evenings required. The health and safety of our staff is our top priority. Please note that in response to COVID-19, we will be closely monitoring the ability for travel. This is a two-year, full-time position with possible extension based on funding.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
Work to identify and implement strategic criminal legal reform policy goals in collaboration with colleagues.
Monitor, research, and analyze opportunities for decarceration at the county level in Western Pennsylvania, with a focus on Allegheny County.
Work with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, agency heads, prosecutors and defense attorneys, local officials, individuals and family members impacted by the criminal justice system, community leaders and members, grasstops entities, and other advocates to craft policy proposals and create educational and research materials.
Lobby local policymakers, as appropriate.
Conduct court-watching and investigation to gather information regarding problems with the criminal justice system in Western Pennsylvania.
Work with the legal department to develop litigation, where necessary and appropriate, to reduce the prison and jail population and eliminate racial disparities.
Prepare and deliver presentations and testimony to support criminal justice reform advocacy efforts.
Represent ACLU of Pennsylvania in task forces, working groups, and coalitions.
Track and report the status of activities both internally and externally to funders as needed.
Promote educational opportunities to teach judges, primarily magisterial district court judges, of their obligations under the Pennsylvania and United States constitutions, especially as it relates to the obligation not to detain people for failure to pay legal financial obligations unless the failure is willful.
Conduct investigation into police practices and policies, collective bargaining agreements, and the county budget to promote police accountability, transparency and police reform.
Develop relationships with allies and other organizations to further advocacy goals, in coordination with the senior field organizer.
Salary is $68,025. Excellent benefits include generous vacation and sick leave; individual/family employer-provided health insurance; life insurance and long-term disability; defined contribution plan with employer match; and 10 paid holidays. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
We seek applicants who have familiarity with Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system and experience working through advocacy, litigation, public policy or legislative processes. People with personal experience being incarcerated or otherwise impacted by the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply. While no one person will have all of the qualifications listed below, a successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and skills:
Broad understanding of the Pennsylvania criminal justice system, including but not limited to areas such as pretrial systems, alternatives to incarceration, sentencing, parole and probation, and consequences of system involvement.
Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice reform, ending mass incarceration, and racial justice.
Experience working effectively and connecting with incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, abolitionist and Black activist communities and valuing differences of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.
Commitment to and experience with working in close partnership with and taking direction from community members, including people directly involved with and affected by the criminal justice system.
Critical thinking skills with an ability to identify, collect, and interpret relevant data for incorporation into educational materials, with an emphasis on fiscal and social impact of policies.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain key contacts among a diverse range of stakeholders.
Proven record of collaborative engagement with colleagues across departments and functions.
Ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely for various audiences, including the public, the media, and policymakers.
A driver’s license and an ability to travel to meetings and events throughout the state dependent on the status of public health within Pennsylvania. If you do not have a vehicle, the ACLU-PA will provide a rental vehicle for travel.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong written and oral communications skills, with a high level of comfort presenting information.
Experience working or participating in coalitions, including sensitivity to internal political dynamics among partner groups.
J.D. degree strongly preferred.
Applicants with at least three years of relevant experience preferred, but applications with a range of experience will be considered.
To apply, send a letter stating why you are interested in the position, a resume, and a relevant writing sample or work product (such as testimony on a public policy issue or a policy paper for broad circulation) of no longer than 10 pages to [email protected]. Please include “Criminal Justice Policy Advocate” in the subject line of the email. In your letter, please indicate where you learned of the posting. No calls, please. The deadline for applications is August 28, 2020.
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