Program Associate, Justice 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, 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. 

The Brennan Center’s Justice Program aims to secure our nation’s promise of “equal justice for all” by tackling racial disparities and economic injustice, promoting a dignity-centered approach to crime and punishment, and creating a rational, effective, and fair justice system. Its priority focus is to reform the criminal legal system to shrink reliance on mass incarceration and mitigate its pernicious effects. 

Position: The Justice Program seeks a full-time Program Associate (PA) to join a cutting-edge, inter-disciplinary team working collaboratively to shrink the footprint of mass incarceration in the United States. The PA will provide broad logistical support for the day-to-day operations of the program. This is an entry-level position reporting to a designated program manager, although the PA may be assigned to work with a variety of team members as needed.  This position is in-person and based at our headquarters in New York City. This role carries a two-year minimum time commitment.

Note: This is a hybrid position. Staff are currently working from home 2 days a week. This position is based in New York City. 

Responsibilities: 

• Providing administrative support for publications, convenings and other projects.
• Organizing internal and external meetings, including calendaring, distributing reference materials, timekeeping, note-taking, and following up with next steps.
• Managing scheduling, expense reports and invoices, travel arrangements, and team events and logistics.
• Collecting and synthesizing information to draft outlines, memos, talking points and presentations, board reports, correspondence, and other communications.
• Providing research, writing, fact-checking, and proofreading assistance to support preparation of articles, speeches, reports, op-eds, blog posts, and other organizational materials, with opportunities for named authorship.
• Working with key internal stakeholders including attorneys, researchers, communications and development professionals, and other program associates. 
• Taking on special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree (Because this is an entry-level position, we will not consider lawyers or individuals with advanced degrees.)
• At least 1-2 years’ work experience 
• Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, time-management, and detail-orientation skills 
• Must possess sound judgment 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively function in a team-based, deadline-driven, public policy-oriented environment and to think creatively about solving problems and finding data, reports, or academic literature on a given topic swiftly
• Openness to receiving and implementing feedback, and to accepting strategic direction from organizational management
• Comfort with taking initiative
• A passion for criminal justice reform, public policy, and law. 

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. 

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

Applications: The application deadline is April 1, 2022 with a start date of June 1, 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/yVeOJ5Uer3/Program-Associate-Justice-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, 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 “Program Associate, Justice 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.