The Justice & Accountability Center of Louisiana seeks a full-time Community Organizer to work with and for currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families to mitigate the collateral consequences of the criminal legal system.
The Community Organizer will manage the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition and develop a coalition to advance a statewide campaign for criminal records expungement. They will develop community leaders, particularly those affected by the criminal legal system, and educate the public about JAC’s policy campaigns through social media, true partner collaboration, showing up for others, and building relationships. This is a new position so we are seeking a self-motivated, creative, organized, and energetic individual to fill the role.
The Organization: The Justice & Accountability Center (JAC) of Louisiana tackles deficiencies in the post-conviction phase of the criminal legal system while creating a supportive, collaborative space for attorneys and advocates. Our theory of change is to support communities by providing legal services, advocacy, technical support, and data to reduce mass incarceration and increase opportunity for formerly incarcerated people to reclaim their lives. We are an eight-year-old, small, statewide non-profit that relies heavily on pro bono attorneys and volunteers, and occasionally on contract attorneys and workers, in order to accomplish our mission.
Primary Job Functions:
● Create and manage a coalition to advance a statewide campaign for criminal records expungement, including identifying and recruiting members;
● Manage the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition (LSSC);
● Maintain coalition member information and activity in our CRM system;
● Identify and develop leaders who have been directly affected by criminal convictions and solitary confinement who can serve as spokespeople for the campaigns;
● Provide technical assistance, leadership development training, campaign workshops (public speaking, engaging with media, civic participation, effective advocacy, etc.) and administrative support to these coalition leaders;
● Create and present “Know Your Rights” materials and workshops relative to re-entry, particularly criminal records and solitary confinement for the general public;
● Organize campaign actions and activities;
● Mobilize significant numbers of community members to lobby days, legislative and court hearings, meetings, and other events through phone banking and relationship building, among other methods;
● Develop and implement communications plans for the LSSC and expungement campaigns;
● Develop content for and manage JAC social media platforms, newsletters, and web site(s);
● Document events, activities, and the experiences of people affected by the criminal legal system through photography and video;
● Gather and analyze data for sharing with partners, the public, volunteers, donors, and foundations as ethically permitted under law;
● Provide support for other community organizing and campaigns around criminal justice reform as needed;
● Conduct outreach in person, through social media, and by collaborating with partner agencies and organizations; and
● Attend and thoughtfully participate in task force, coalition, and committee meetings with an eye toward systemic solutions.
Education & Experience:
● 2+ years of experience managing coalitions is required;
● 2+ years of community organizing experience, including interaction with traditional and social media, is required; and
● High School Diploma or HiSET/GED required.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
● Flexible, organized, and creative;
● Proven collaboration and coordination skills;
● History of employing extreme accuracy and attention to detail in all work;
● Administrative, project management, and event-planning skills;
● Meeting planning and facilitation skills;
● Self-awareness;
● Self-directed, with an ability to independently identify next steps and follow through on them;
● Commitment to racial equity, social justice, and decarceration;
● Ability to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds;
● Experience delivering workshops to audiences of more than 10 attendees;
● Basic computer skills, including ability to use the internet, email, word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word) and spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) programs;
● Analytical skills including the ability to see the system and the infrastructure while also realizing the tasks and activities required to reach larger goals; and
● Ability to respond quickly to the changing needs of a developing organization working on multiple pilot projects.
Additional Considerations:
● This is a full-time, exempt, professional position with a salary range of $45,000 to $55,000, DOE. Benefits are 100% paid.
● The Community Organizer may be called upon to work hours in excess of 40 hours in a workweek, including the potential for regular evening and weekend work. JAC encourages work-life balance and utilizes a comp time model.
● Travel statewide will be necessary. An independent form of reliable transportation is required.
● This position is currently grant funded for one year, with a possibility for renewal.
● JAC is an extremely small non-profit, which requires consistent dedication to mission, the ability to say no, and the willingness to stretch beyond comfort zones in order to move toward mission and goals. We also all make our copies, schedule our own meetings, and answer the phones.
Please email your cover letter, resume, a sample of writing, video, or photography fully of your own creation, and 3 references with contact information (we will not call without permission) to [email protected] with “Community Organizer [Your Name]” in the subject line. Please state where you learned of this position.
Please respond by December 15, 2019. Applications will immediately be considered on a rolling basis. Targeted start date is January 20, 2020.
JAC is considering applications for this position, as well as a Programs & Policy Manager position. If you would like to be considered for both, please apply separately.
No phone calls. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered. Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
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