Special Assistant, Election and Government Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve Constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion. 

The Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program advance and defends core democratic values and includes projects dedicated to improving the administration of our elections so they are free and fair for all voters; building a more resilient and secure election infrastructure; combatting disinformation; and reducing the corrupting influence of money in politics. The program seeks to bring the ideal of representative self-government closer to reality by eliminating barriers to full and equal political participation, by countering racial discrimination in our electoral and political systems, and by striving to ensure that public policy and institutions represent and reflect the diverse voices and interests that make for a rich democracy. 

We seek an energetic, motivated, well-organized individual to provide administrative support and research assistance to the Senior Director of the Elections and Government Program. This person would help the Senior Director manage the program, comprising of approximately twenty people. The Special Assistant will play a central role in the daily functioning of the program. They will work closely with the Senior Director to push key reform goals during this critical moment for our democracy, while also helping to keep the entire program organized and on-task.    

Responsibilities will include: 

• Supporting and working closely with Senior Director on all aspects of program management, including organizing team meetings, compiling and editing quarterly board reports, and creating systems to manage workflow 

• Managing calendars, inboxes, and travel arrangements 

• Providing ad-hoc research and drafting assistance communicating with external constituents, including allies, donors, and the media 

• Helping to coordinate inter-department initiatives with the Communications and Development teams, in addition to other programs within the organization 

• General administrative support including filing, drafting correspondence, and answering and screening incoming emails 

• Providing research, writing, and editing support in preparation of articles, speeches, reports, and organizational materials; may have opportunity to write under own name, including articles and blog posts. 

The ideal candidate will have: 

• A bachelor’s degree and at least one year of work experience 

• Keen attention to detail and an ability to multi-task as well as self-start and complete projects with little supervision 

• Ability to take the lead and delegate tasks as needed in a deadline-driven environment 

• Excellent writing and editing skills 

• Excellent organizational skills 

• Experience in and enthusiasm for politics, government, research, or nonprofit administration 

• An interest in the issues the Elections and Government Program works on 

• A high degree of professionalism and exceptional ability to focus and execute assignments 

• A high degree of integrity, discretion, and tact 

• An openness to evolving responsibilities is a must 

• A sense of humor  

• An ability to build positive working relationships both with peers and more senior staff, both internally and outside of the organization 

• Proficiency in MS Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate in and contribute to DEI initiatives, including those related to recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.  

Position Start Date: The earliest the position will start is August 2023 

Salary:  

This is a scaled position. The salary range assigned for the scale is $52,005 - $65,663 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after the selected candidate graduated from undergraduate school. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks. 

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320. 

To Apply: To apply, please visit this https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/Rt6VsxGJEv/Special-Assistant-Election-And-Government-Program and upload, the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) two writing samples (up to 10 pages each), and (4) contact information for three references.  

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. We hope to expeditiously move through the recruitment process, therefore; we strongly encourage interested applicants to apply early. We prefer applications to be submitted through our website. If you have difficulty uploading these items, please e-mail them to brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Special Assistant, Elections and Government Program” in the subject line.  

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption. 

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

• Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
• Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.