Job Openings

The Justice Center provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The Justice Center is a nonprofit organization that works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

Senior Policy Analyst

Contact: Deputy Director or Division Director
Location: New York or Seattle
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible for in-depth analysis of relevant administrative policy, programmatic design and implementation, research, and legislation; coordinating and sometimes leading teams of expert consultants conducting on-site, intensive technical assistance or data collection in state and local jurisdictions; developing legislative and administrative policy options; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Senior Policy Analyst will also be expected to contribute to organizational development by refining office policies and procedures; developing strategic project plans and timelines; identifying grant opportunities and drafting proposals; and hiring, training, and supervising new staff. The Senior Policy Analyst works on multiple projects across the Justice Center on an issue or set of issues in which he or she has advanced knowledge. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity to an individual with an established career in criminal justice policy—or health, behavioral health, or other social policy and an interest in criminal justice issues.

DUTIES:
Specific responsibilities of the Senior Policy Analyst include, but are not limited to, the following:

Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
Developing/expanding the knowledge base on criminal justice, behavioral health, and related social service policy issues;
Identifying themes and linkages across disparate initiatives within the Justice Center’s diverse portfolio, and leveraging opportunities to incubate and test new ideas and approaches;
Collaborating with senior staff to develop long-range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s work;
Participating in technical assistance delivery by coordinating and documenting site visits among senior staff and/or consultants, meeting with site stakeholders independently, and sometimes leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Researching new funding opportunities, writing grant proposals, and serving as a resource to funding agencies;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Supervising project assistants, project associates, and policy analysts where appropriate;
Participating actively in, and sometimes leading, staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultants on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;

REQUIREMENTS:
The ideal candidate should enjoy working in a fast-paced work environment and have some or all of the following qualifications:

excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;;
at least four years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis;
a college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (preferred).

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

CONTACT
Interested individuals should upload the following elements to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing sample (preferably no more than three pages)
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Policy Analyst

Contact: Project Director
Location: New York or Seattle
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Policy Analyst will be responsible for: analyzing relevant legislation, administrative policy, and research; coordinating a team of expert consultants providing on-site, intensive technical assistance; developing legislative and administrative policy options; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Policy Analyst works with a small team and will report to the Project Director for the Justice Reinvestment. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking advance a career in criminal justice policy.

DUTIES:
Specific responsibilities of the Policy Analyst include, but are not limited to, the following:

Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
Collaborating with senior staff to develop long range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s Justice Reinvestment work;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Participating in technical assistance delivery by coordinating and documenting site visits among senior staff and/or consultants, meeting with site stakeholders independently, and sometimes leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Researching new funding opportunities, writing grant proposals, and serving as a resource to funding agencies;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Supervising project assistants where appropriate;;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing/expanding a knowledge base on criminal justice system dynamics, prison population projections, and probation, parole, and corrections best practices.

REQUIREMENTS:
The ideal candidate should enjoy working in a fast-paced work environment and have some or all of the following qualifications:

excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;;
at least four years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis; some preference for experience working with legislatures;
a college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (preferred).

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

CONTACT
Interested individuals should upload the following elements to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing sample (preferably no more than three pages)
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Program Director, Reentry

Contact: Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org)is hiring a program director to lead the agency’s reentry work, including the National Reentry Resource Center ((www.nationalreentryresourcecenter.org)), which was launched in 2009, an initiative begun in 2009 to increase the likelihood that people’s transition from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (“Justice Center”) is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. Justice Center staff not only develops written and web-based materials but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from state and local jurisdictions.

This position will be responsible for supervising a team of policy staff members. In addition, the director will have responsibility for managing several of his or her own project(s). Such projects range from developing guides for policymakers about strategies for ensuring people released from prison and jail have a place to live to delivering technical assistance to state government officials seeking to track the implementation of their state’s comprehensive plan to reduce recidivism.

In this context, the program director will have a number of ongoing duties:

Supervising a team of reentry policy staff, providing oversight and advice on program planning, project development, program management, compliance with grant requirements/obligations (including project timetables), personnel issues, meeting planning, budget development, and fundraising;
Designing and drafting internal and external memoranda, written reports, and other products as relevant to the program director’s projects, as well as reviewing, editing, and approving such materials as created by reentry program staff;
Designing and drafting internal and external memoranda, written reports, and other products as relevant to the program director’s projects, as well as reviewing, editing, and approving such materials as created by reentry program staff;
Helping to shape and articulate long-range policy agenda of the reentry program, including specific initiatives and useful products that can become signature pieces for projects such as the NRRC;
Staying abreast of emerging trends within prisoner reentry arena;
Working with the communications and government affairs staff to facilitate the involvement of the reentry program’s varied constituency and efforts with the media and with relevant federal activity, including providing witnesses or interview subjects, drafting talking points, or providing program examples from the field;
Maintaining strong relationships with funders, board members, consultants, and partner organizations and cultivating new relationships with these groups, where appropriate;
Assuring that the work of the reentry program and NRRC is truly national in scope, incorporating perspectives which reach across political, geographic, racial, class-based, and ethnic boundaries;
Reviewing and assessing overall reentry program and NRRC capacity and efficiency including structure, operations, financial security, and technological systems, particularly in relation to the Justice Center’s other projects, including the Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project ((www.consensusproject.org))and the Justice Reinvestment Initiative;
Helping to ensure effective internal communications systems both within the reentry program and across the Justice Center by encouraging cooperation and cross-fertilization among projects as well as ensuring that senior staff is aware of progress and challenges faced by reentry staff/projects;
Representing the reentry program (or particular projects of the reentry program) through participation in and/or presentations at meetings of policymakers and practitioners from the criminal justice system or their non-criminal justice partners.

For this position, the ideal candidate should have some or all of the following qualifications:

superior research, writing, and editing skills;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex information in a concise way;
demonstrated success designing new projects and securing funding for them
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, keen judgment, and self-confidence, with a sense of humor and ability to maintain balance and perspective;
ability to work with (and find consensus among) people from a wide array of backgrounds and perspectives, as well as an appreciation for the need to address issues in nonpartisan and non-polarizing ways;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently;
willingness to travel an average of four to six days per month;
relevant work experience in criminal justice (ideally corrections and/or community corrections) or other governmental policy area;
experience delivering technical assistance;
experience managing staff and budgets, preferably in a nonprofit/government organization;
a college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (strongly preferred)

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing Sample(Preference for non-legal memoranda);
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Communications Division Director

Contact: Executive Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments is our nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.

THE CSG JUSTICE CENTER:

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that serves policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government. It provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities.

The Justice Center traces its origins to the criminal justice program that the Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference (ERC) launched in 1995 with a staff of one person. Between 1998 and 2005, CSG/ERC’s criminal justice program experienced extraordinary financial and staff growth, and its initiatives quickly stretched far beyond the borders of the ten northeastern states. Because of its success, scale, and national reach, the governing board of the Council of State Governments transformed ERC’s criminal justice program into a national Justice Center in 2006.

With the guidance of its staff, the Board of Directors identifies issue areas where ineffective policies and insufficient collaboration among multiple systems have undermined the integrity of the justice system, contributed to wasteful spending, and yielded poor outcomes for people in contact with the criminal justice system. Using its credibility among elected officials from across the political spectrum and its access to policymakers from every aspect of government, the Justice Center develops policy recommendations that reflect a consensus among all key stakeholders, collects and analyzes data to create programs and measure their impact, and designs legislative and communications strategies to translate its recommendations and findings into policy and practice.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Director of Communications will lead the CSG Justice Center’s efforts to use media, publications, and general branding to position the organization to accomplish its goals. Reporting to and working closely with the Deputy Director, he/she will create the communications framework for and build the communications capacity of an organization that has grown exponentially over the last five years.

Leading an internal communications team of as many as six (?), and external consultants, the Director of Communications will oversee three primary areas: publications, media-relations, and online media. He/She will be expected to help the Center become more strategic and cutting-edge in it use of technological strategies, ensuring that the Center continues to serve as a respected voice for the advancement of sound criminal justice policy.

IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES:

It is critical that during the first year the Director of Communications prioritize the following objectives:

Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the Justice Center, its mission and goals, culture, values, key stakeholders and projects;
Establish strong working relationships with the Director, Deputy Director, Director of Strategic Initiatives, division directors, and other members of the organization, ensuring that they are interactive contributors and participants in the overall communications effort; bring communications thinking to bear on all key Justice Center decisions;
Develop and manage an organization-wide, proactive, communications strategy. Working in partnership with the senior staff, define clear communications objectives and resource requirements for each project; ensure that all project communications mesh with the Justice Center’s overall communication plan and products;
Develop clear communications policies and systems so that all staff approach the development of publications, media relations, web-content, etc., in a consistent and uniform way;
Provide the Center’s projects high-level strategic communications counsel and planning to help achieve project objectives; ensure that the projects are able to take full advantage of all communications resources;
Coordinate with the Director of Strategic Initiatives the development and implementation of plans to roll out products that are key priorities for the organization
Further develop, motivate, and manage the communications staff; evaluate the organization’s communications capacity and develop a plan for increasing capacity. Among other things, such a plan should likely include the development of a publications team and media relations staff; manage external service providers as needed;
Oversee the ongoing training and evaluation of all communications staff, ensuring core competency in all critical communications functions, and productive contribution to the overall communications strategy. Create opportunities for “knowledge transfer” to all staff, helping to raise communication capability and awareness across the entire organization;
Manage Justice Center publications waiting to be completed and distributed; create an ongoing publications workflow that can be shared with other managers;
Assume ownership of the current web-integration project;
Develop a strong relationship with the Communications Department of CSG Headquarters; highlight the work of the Justice Center within the context of CSG, ensuring maximum coordination with the larger institution and mutual leveraging of the Justice Center’s and CSG’s communications goals.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Additionally, the Director will have ongoing responsibility to:

Editorial and Publications Management:

Oversee the management of the Justice Center’s editing process; streamline and systematize the writing and editing process while balancing the need for writing quality;
Ensure that all of the Justice Center’s publications and external communication vehicles are sending an integrated message about the organization’s goals and work;
Work with communications staff, senior management, and project leaders to establish a publications calendar and production work flow process;
Supervise the development of materials that promote the activities of the Justice Center such an agency brochure, or annual report including the management of external consultants for writing and design support;
Supervise communication planning and materials development for special projects;
Provide broad oversight to all staff, consultants and vendors working on any Justice Center publications;

Media Relations:

Create a proactive media strategy; target both major and smaller niche markets and media outlets;
In partnership with government affairs and / or the Director of Strategic Initiatives, take advantage of opportunities to develop and pitch thought pieces;
Refine and target messages to diverse audiences (elected officials, staffers, judges, academics, etc.);
Assist with staff skill-building related to media response, when appropriate.

Web Technology/Online Social Media:

Establish and maintain clear and uniform standards for online content management and website integration;
Address institutional branding issues, including the use of and placement of logos and other institutional images (both CSG’s and external images);
Ensure the proactive integration of the web into the Justice Center’s communications strategies, including webinars, social media, and other online learning tools.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

The Director of Communications should have most of the following experience and qualifications:

A minimum of 8-10 years of professional experience creating overall communications strategies; senior-level management experience, and the proven ability to lead a communications department;
Experience in a fast-paced, policy-oriented environment, or in a political, advocacy, or issue-driven communications environment is strongly preferred, particularly if that experience is related to criminal justice issues;
Success in positioning concepts and ideas and not just products; familiarity with communications theories and strategies as they relate to societal change is a plus;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and gain the respect and support of highly-accomplished leadership and staff; experience developing plans that benefit an entire organization;
Experience in managing all aspects of the production of written and web-based publications and excellent editorial judgment, writing, and editing skills;
Experience working with elite media and smaller media outlets; excellent news judgment and experience proactively pitching timely stories and op-eds; a reputation for understanding the media and working creatively with them;
Knowledge of current communication technology and media, especially web-based communications and social networking considered a plus;
Experience creating, building or repositioning an organization’s image/identity/brand;
Skilled in crafting materials and messages and in preparing others in making presentations to a variety of audiences;
An understanding of crisis communications.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate should be or have:

Committed to and enthusiastic about the mission, goals and programs of the Justice Center with a particular emphasis on bipartisan, consensus driven approaches to complex, often contested issues;
A strategic and entrepreneurial thinker who is able to conceptualize and express ideas and anticipate and act on events which may create opportunities for the Justice Center;
Able to develop a sense of team spirit and common purpose; maintaining an environment where mutual respect, collegiality and diversity are valued;
Strong oral communications and networking skills along with a demonstrated ability to work as part of the senior leadership team;
Thoughtful, persuasive, and politically savvy; able to see all sides of an issue and prioritize and balance competing interests;
Open and responsive to the ideas of others; willing to take intelligent and responsible risks; able to build consensus, educate and motivate;
Outgoing, straightforward and self-possessed; one who shares information readily, listens as well as gives advice;
Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of activities ranging from the routine to the highly creative;
A decisive and unifying leader who is firm and confident, yet flexible;
An outgoing personality, with tenacity, pragmatism, and patience.

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position, please forward a resume, as well as a substantive cover letter outlining your interests and qualifications via e-mail to: Sandi Haynes, Executive Search Consultant SandiHaynes@aol.com.

Policy Analyst Courts Program

Contact: Courts Program Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Courts Program at the Justice Center works with court-based practitioners and policymakers focused on the judiciary across the Justice Center’s different topic areas. Current projects include the development of training materials for judges on how mental illness impacts the criminal justice system, training and technical assistance to courts-based planning and implementation projects at local and state-levels, and analysis of different types of court-ordered financial obligations. Like all Justice Center staff, the Courts Program staff are expected to be enthusiastic about learning and working in new specific sub-topics and media within this content area.

The Policy Analyst will work with a small team and will report to the Courts Program Director in the Justice Center’s National Initiatives Division. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking to advance a career in criminal justice policy. Justice Center Policy Analysts are generally responsible for project design and management under the supervision of the Courts Program Director. Projects include in-depth analysis developing legislative and administrative policy options based on analysis of criminal justice and behavioral health data; developing relevant, written materials for policymakers and practitioners; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. Project management includes developing and monitoring timelines and budgets, identifying and collaborating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and expert consultants, coordinating with Justice Center staff, and supervising Courts Program policy associates and assistants where appropriate.

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the policy analyst include, but are not limited to, the following:

Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
Collaborating with senior staff to develop long range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s Courts related work;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Researching new funding opportunities and writing grant proposals;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Supervising policy associates and project assistants where appropriate;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing/expanding a knowledge base on criminal justice system dynamics, criminal case processing, prison population projections, and probation, parole, and corrections best practices.

REQUIREMENTS

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Excellent analytical skills, research, writing, and editing skills;
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
At least four years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis or consulting
A college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as public policy, law, criminology, behavioral health (preferred).

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing Sample(Preference for non-legal memoranda);
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Policy Associate Courts Program

Contact: Courts Program Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Policy Associate will work with a small team and will report to the Courts Program Director in the Justice Center’s National Initiatives Division. This position offers responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking to advance a career in criminal justice policy. The Policy Associate will work with a wide range of stakeholders focused on the courts, particularly in the areas of mental health and reentry. The Policy Associate will support the work of the Program Director and Policy Analysts and be responsible for discrete aspects of different courts projects. The Policy Associate’s responsibilities generally include interacting with policymakers and practitioners to effectively deliver training and technical assistance; developing legislative and administrative policy options based on analysis of local/state criminal justice and behavioral health data; developing written products that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Policy Associate position may also involve researching new funding opportunities, grant proposal writing, and collaborating with senior staff to develop long-range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s courts work. Policy Associates are expected to be able to work quickly and proficiently in writing, analysis, and generation of presentation materials and to be developing presentation skills.

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the policy associate include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assisting senior staff to develop a range of written products, including policy guides, trainings, and web-based materials;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts, initially by developing agendas, providing support for senior policy staff, and describing agreements reached and eventually by leading such meetings;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing a knowledge base in the policy associate’s area(s) of policy work.

REQUIREMENTS

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Excellent analytical skills, research, writing, and editing skills;
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
At least two years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis or consulting
A college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as public policy, law, criminology, behavioral health, or education (preferred) or commensurate work experience.

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing Sample(Preference for non-legal memoranda);
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Project Assistant Courts Program

Contact: Courts Program Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Courts Program at the Justice Center works with court-based practitioners and policymakers focused on the judiciary across the Justice Center’s different topic areas. Current projects including the development of training materials for judges on how mental illness impacts the criminal justice system, training and technical assistance to courts-based planning and implementation projects at local and state-levels, and analysis of different types of court-ordered financial obligations. Like all Justice Center staff, the Courts Program staff are expected to be enthusiastic about learning and working in new specific sub-topics and media within this content area.

The Policy Assistant will work with a small team and will report to Courts Program Director in the Justice Center’s National Initiatives Division. This position offers significant responsibility and could be an ideal position for those considering careers in criminal law or criminal justice policy. The Policy Assistant will work with a wide range of stakeholders focused on the courts, particularly in the areas of mental health and reentry. The Policy Assistant will support the work of the Program Director and other members of the Courts Program by maintaining project details, timelines, and website content, and strategizing with staff and technical consultants on ways of using the web to promote policy goals. The Policy Assistant will have responsibility for discrete aspects of different courts projects, including training and technical assistance areas; developing legislative and administrative policy options based on analysis of local/state criminal justice and behavioral health data; developing relevant, written materials for policymakers and practitioners; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Policy Associate will also assist with researching new funding opportunities and grant writing and will participate in Courts Program strategic planning sessions. Policy Assistants are expected to be able to work quickly and accurately in writing, research, and development of presentation materials and to be developing analytical skills in this area.

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the Project Assistant include but are not limited to:

Performing significant research on complex issues, including relevant legislation, policy, and programs, and synthesizing the analysis in clear, concise writing;
Preparing reports, briefs, memos, talking points, and op-eds on various criminal justice issues that will be submitted to the policymakers, practitioners, the media, the criminal justice field, and Justice Center colleagues;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Actively supporting the planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts, initially by developing agendas, providing support for senior policy staff, and describing agreements reached, and eventually by leading such meetings; and
Developing a knowledge base in the project assistant’s area(s) of policy work with room for exploring additional issue areas within criminal justice.

REQUIREMENTS

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Excellent analytical skills, research, writing, and editing skills;
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
At least one year of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis or consulting;
A college degree (required).

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing Sample;
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Policy Analyst

Contact: Project Director
Location: New York/Maryland
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The School Discipline project is part of the Local Government Initiatives Division and spans all three of the Justice Center practice areas, and the focus of this team is to provide policy recommendations, technical assistance and project management for the school safety related efforts in the Center.

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Policy Analyst will be responsible for: analyzing relevant legislation, administrative policy, and research; coordinating a team of expert consultants providing on-site, intensive technical assistance; developing legislative and administrative policy options; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Policy Analyst works with a small team and will report to the Division Director for Local Government Initiatives, School Discipline project. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking advance a career in criminal justice policy.

DUTIES:

Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
Collaborating with senior staff to develop long range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s school discipline and local government work;
Working with wide range of stakeholders focused on school discipline and school safety issue areas to develop consensus based policy recommendations as related to the school discipline project.
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Researching new funding opportunities and writing grant proposals;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Supervising project assistants & project associates where appropriate;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing/expanding a knowledge base on criminal justice system dynamics, prison population projections, and probation, parole, and corrections best practices.

REQUIREMENTS

excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
at least four years of work experience, ideally, in the field of education, juvenile justice, policing, criminal justice or policy analysis; some preference for experience working with legislatures;
a college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as education, sociology, or public policy (preferred).

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Project Associate

Contact: Project Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is a national, state-funded organization with a Governing Board representing all branches of state government from all 50 states, U.S. Territories and Commonwealths. Established in 1933, CSG provides a forum for new ideas, promotes innovations transfer, advocates multi-state problem solving, provides leadership training and technical assistance, and forecasts future state trends affecting policymaking.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assisting senior staff in developing a range of written products, including policy guides, trainings, and web-based materials;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts, initially by developing agendas, providing support for senior policy staff, and describing agreements reached and eventually by leading such meetings;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing a knowledge base in the research associate’s area(s) of policy work.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

A college degree (required) and/or a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (preferred).

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Personally committed to advancing the Criminal Justice Programs’ values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of a range of criminal justice issues and their implications;
excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently;
willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
at least two years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice, mental health, or policy analysis.

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Policy Analyst

Contact: Project Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions. For more information about the Reentry Program at the Justice Center please see (http://reentrypolicy.org/)

The Policy Analyst will be responsible for: analyzing relevant legislation, administrative policy, and research; coordinating a team of expert consultants providing on-site, intensive technical assistance; developing legislative and administrative policy options; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Policy Analyst works with a small team and will report to the Project Director for the Reentry Project. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking advance a career in criminal justice policy.

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the policy analyst include, but are not limited to, the following:

Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
Collaborating with senior staff to develop long range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s Reentry work;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Researching new funding opportunities and writing grant proposals;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Supervising project assistants where appropriate;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing/expanding a knowledge base on criminal justice system dynamics, prison population projections, and probation, parole, and corrections best practices.

REQUIREMENTS

excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
at least four years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis; some preference for experience working with legislatures;
a college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (preferred).

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Project Assistant

Contact: Policy Analyst and / or Project Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions. For more information about the Reentry Program at the Justice Center please see (http://reentrypolicy.org/)

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the Project Assistant include but are not limited to:

Performing significant research on complex issues, including relevant legislation, policy, and programs, and synthesizing the analysis in clear, concise writing;
Preparing reports, briefs, memos, talking points, and op-eds on various criminal justice issues that will be submitted to the policymakers, practitioners, the media, the criminal justice field, and Justice Center colleagues;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Actively supporting the planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts, initially by developing agendas, providing support for senior policy staff, and describing agreements reached, and eventually by leading such meetings; and
Developing a knowledge base in the project assistant’s area(s) of policy work with room for exploring additional issue areas within criminal justice.

The project assistant would work under the direction of a Reentry Policy Analyst in close coordination with other staff on the Reentry team, but could be tasked to work across a range of policy-related projects. Such projects have included activities like providing technical assistance to state and local governments that have received grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, coordinating the development of a policymaker’s guide to research on criminal justice and mental health issues, and creating and updating web content (e.g. weekly features, updating resources pages).

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate should have some or all of the following qualifications:

excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way, in front of policymakers and practitioners;
ability to juggle multiple projects in an efficient manner;
attention for detail, both with written products as well as project management;
excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently;
ability and willingness to travel;
at least one year of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice, involving policy analysis;
experience in state government, including exposure to the legislative process and opportunities interact with elected officials and policymakers, is desirable; and
a college degree (required) in a related field, such as criminal justice, political science, sociology, or public policy (preferred).

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Project Associate

Contact: Project Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a Project Associate to work on its Consensus Project (www.consensusproject.org) out of the New York, New York office.

The Justice Center’s Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project is an unprecedented, national effort to help local, state, and federal policymakers and criminal justice and mental health professionals improve the response to people with mental illnesses who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The Justice Center, with the support of its funders and project partners, develops a range of practical, nonpartisan, and consensus-based publications informed by available evidence, for policymakers, practitioners, and others involved in improving the response to people with mental illnesses involved in the criminal justice system.

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the project associate include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assisting senior staff to develop a range of written products, including policy guides, trainings, and web-based materials;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts, initially by developing agendas, providing support for senior policy staff, and describing agreements reached and eventually by leading such meetings;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing a knowledge base in the research associate’s area(s) of policy work.

REQUIREMENTS

A college degree (required) and/or a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (preferred).
Personally committed to advancing the Criminal Justice Programs’ values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of a range of criminal justice issues and their implications;
Excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently;
Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
At least two years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice, mental health, or policy analysis.

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing sample (preferably no more than three pages)
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Policy Analyst

Contact: Project Director
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a Policy Analyst to work on its Consensus Project (www.consensusproject.org) out of the New York, New York office.

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Policy Analyst will be responsible for: analyzing relevant legislation, administrative policy, and research; coordinating a team of expert consultants providing on-site, intensive technical assistance; developing legislative and administrative policy options; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country. The Policy Analyst works with a small team and will report to the Project Director for the Consensus Project. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking advance a career in criminal justice policy.

DUTIES:

Specific responsibilities of the policy analyst include, but are not limited to, the following:

Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
Collaborating with senior staff to develop long range strategies to guide the Justice Center’s Consensus Project work;
Participating in technical assistance delivery, initially by supporting senior staff and/or consultants in coordinating, attending, and documenting site visits in jurisdictions across the country and eventually by leading technical assistance site visits;
Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
Researching new funding opportunities and writing grant proposals;
Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultant on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts;
Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
Ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals;
Supervising project assistants where appropriate;
Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings;
Developing/expanding a knowledge base on criminal justice system dynamics, prison population projections, and probation, parole, and corrections best practices.

REQUIREMENTS

Excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month;
At least four years of work experience, ideally, in the field of criminal justice or policy analysis; some preference for experience working with legislatures;
A college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (preferred).

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Writing sample (preferably no more than three pages)
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

Legal Intern

Location: New York
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and translates this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

The Justice Center’s court projects division is currently looking for a law student intern for the summer. This position is currently only for the summer, but could be extended into the fall depending on available work. The intern will be responsible for research into two discreet projects and can work either part- or full-time, depending on availability. The court projects division works both on court-based programs that improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals with mental illnesses as well as court-based programs for individuals reentering into the community after time served in institutional corrections. The law student intern would have the opportunity to work on projects under both of those topic areas.

PROJECTS AND DUTIES:

The intern will work under the supervision of Justice Center Policy staff on legal research and writing for the development of a written publication(s) aimed at policymakers and practitioners. Research topics will include constitutional law, criminal law, and criminal procedure. Justice Center Policy staff can be available to help the intern develop an independent legal memo if needed for school credit.

REQUIREMENTS

Excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information concisely;
Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
The job is for current or recently-graduated law school students and is short-term. Experience with specialty courts (either through academic work or work experience) is strongly preferred, but not required.

SALARY RANGE:
This position is an unpaid internship, but school credit may be available.

DEADLINE:
Open until filled

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials to https://secured.csg.org/csg/jobs:

Cover letter
Résumé
Unofficial law school transcript;
Writing sample (preferably no more than three pages)
Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.

CSG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

To learn about other employment opportunities within The Council of State Governments organization, click here.