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About the Role

The Program Associate will support the Sentencing Reform Initiative by driving research, coalition building, and legislative support in select states. This role involves project support, advocacy, materials development, research support, and team collaboration to advance sentencing reform nationally.

Responsibilities

• Support the Program Manager and Director in developing strategy, tactics, and implementation across sites.
• Monitor targeted sentencing reform legislation across states.
• Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and follow-up for advocacy meetings, coalition calls, and legislative sessions.
• Plan and help staff convenings, briefings, roundtables, and trainings for coalition partners and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Vera's Advocacy and Partnerships, Communications, and Research teams to help move project strategy forward.
• Track progress against project targets and milestones, flagging issues to the Program Manager as they arise.
• Conduct research and draft background materials, talking points, one-pagers, and presentations on specific bills.
• Help plan and facilitate coalition meetings, advocacy days and workgroup discussions.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners in government, non-profit, policy, and advocacy spaces.
• Draft materials, briefings, proposal sections, and reports for Vera leadership, funders, and prospective partners and sites.
• Compile information and materials for meetings with funders, leadership, and prospective partners or sites.
• Create agendas, update internal documentation, and support facilitation of team meetings.
• Mentor program assistants, analysts, and/or interns on tasks as needed.
• Monitor relevant news coverage to stay informed about trends in the field.
• Support logistical and event planning processes, as needed.
• Take on additional responsibilities outside the core role, as needed, to keep project work moving as part of a small team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and three plus years of relevant experience. In lieu of the degree requirement, applicable work or life experience may be considered.
• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a small-team environment.
• Coursework or a graduate degree in progress in public policy, social work, political science, criminal justice, or a related field; or equivalent work experience; or relevant work, educational background, or lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in coalition work involving people impacted by the criminal legal system and/or crime survivors.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in legislative advocacy campaigns.
• Event/convening planning experience, including logistics, agenda-setting, and materials, in both virtual and in-person settings.

Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Excellent strategic, problem-solving, and analytic skills.
• Experience and ability to manage multiple projects, committees, or work groups.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to work with people with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Knowledge of policy change processes is a plus.
• Knowledge of sentencing laws and legislation is plus.

Location

• Brooklyn, NY

Work Type

• Hybrid schedule
• Up to 15% travel

Experience Level

• Three plus years of relevant experience

Education Level

• Bachelor's degree

Salary/Compensations

• $77,000 - $100,000

Benefits

• Merit pay
• Generous paid time off
• Comprehensive health insurance plan
• Student loan repayment benefits
• Professional development training opportunities
• Up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work
• Employer-funded retirement plan
• Flexible time

About the Company

• Vera Institute works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world.
• We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.
• For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.

Equal Opportunity

• Vera is an equal opportunity employer.
• All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.