Special Assistant to the Director, Voting Rights and Elections 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. The Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections 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. 

Our Voting Rights and Elections Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel. 

Position: The Voting Rights and Elections Program seeks an energetic, motivated, well-organized individual who will provide administrative support and research and drafting assistance to the Program Director and for Voting Rights and Elections Program staff. The Special Assistant will report to the Voting Rights and Elections Program Director and will work closely with the Director in all aspects of their role. The Special Assistant will play a central role in the daily responsibilities of the Director and the program. The role provides an even split between administrative work and research and writing. 

Note: This is a hybrid position. Staff are currently working from home 2 days a week.

Responsibilities: 

• Supporting and working closely with the Director, providing substantive and administrative support on all aspects of program management. 
• Managing the Director’s schedule and travel arrangements. 
• Providing general administrative support, including drafting correspondence, answering and screening telephone calls and email, and ensuring requests to the Director are appropriately handled in a timely and professional manner.
• Providing research, drafting, editing, and proofreading for Voting Rights and Elections Program internal and external work-product, including public presentations, op-eds, articles, reports, and other writings. Completing time-sensitive research or other requests as they arise. 
• Providing research, fact-checking, drafting, and editing for Voting Rights and Elections Program reports.
• Providing quick and accurate research to support program responses to breaking news.
• Assisting with fundraising and managing significant program coordination such as organizing program meetings, events, and monitoring all departmental expenditures, in addition to working with staff from other departments. 

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree. 
• Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and at least 1-2 years of work experience. Administrative professionals with substantial experience will also receive full consideration.
• A passion for improving our democracy. 
• A high-level of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and judgment. 
• Superb writing, communication, and research skills. 
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, keen attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines. 
• Openness to evolving responsibilities, self-reliance, ability to take initiative, and excellent inter-personal skills. 
• Proficiency in MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Proficiency in Salesforce is a plus. 
• A willingness to work overtime hours to meet important deadlines or complete urgent projects. 

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/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture. 

Position Start Date: Earliest July 1^st

Salary: The salary is commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package is available as well.

Applications: The application deadline is May 6, 2022, yet applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis and decisions will be made as soon as appropriate candidates are identified. To apply, visit https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/xCZo6DgOmG/Special-Assistant-To-The-Director-Voting-Rights-And-Elections-Program. Please upload the following application materials as one document: cover letter, resume, two writing samples (up to 10 pages each), and contact information for three references. If applicable, please include Internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.

Please, no phone calls or faxes and identify where you saw this ad - it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website.

If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Special Assistant to the Director, Voting Rights and Elections Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

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 and hires applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities and sexual orientations, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
• 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.