The Legal Aid Society
Community Engagement Coordinator-Special Litigation & Law Reform - New York, NY
The Legal Aid Society, New York, New York, us, 10261
Overview
The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a Community Engagement Coordinator to contribute to the Policy Unit of the Law Reform Team. The Policy Unit leads policy and legislative initiatives on criminal legal issues at the state and city levels, delivers expert testimony and analysis on proposed policies, and advocates for legislative change in collaboration with community-based organizations and peer-defender groups. We seek an individual with personal experience of the criminal legal system to bring essential perspectives to our work. The Coordinator will participate in coalition spaces, help organize advocacy days, schedule meetings with elected officials, attend Community Board meetings, assemble advocacy day packets, provide input on legislative language, testify before City Council, and collaborate with Law Reform's Community Justice Unit (CJU) to educate and connect with the communities we serve. Professional development opportunities, including media training, public speaking, and legislative advocacy, will be provided to support policy reform efforts. This is a two-year position funded by a temporary grant, and continuation depends on funding availability. If funding ends, the Coordinator may apply for other internal positions or be transferred into a comparable role. Essential Duties / Responsibilities
Program Management: The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with the Policy team to organize and expand internal and external contact lists, schedule meetings, and maintain contact with elected officials and community partners. The Coordinator will help organize advocacy days, rallies, and hearing testimony. Community Engagement
The Coordinator will work with the Policy team to build and deliver educational platforms on legislative campaigns for the communities served, in collaboration with the Community Justice Unit and internal subject-matter experts. The Coordinator will participate in coalition spaces and work to build support for smaller legislative reform packages and attend community board meetings to build local support for criminal legal system reforms. The Coordinator will help develop a sustained method of communicating with New Yorkers who have been represented by our criminal practice to gather feedback and guidance for current and proposed reforms. Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned
Participate in continuous professional development. Learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate inclusive behaviors in the work environment. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications
Required qualifications: A combination of 2+ years of post-secondary education, work experience, or equivalent relevant lived experience (e.g., a period of incarceration). Demonstrated interest and experience in racial and social justice advocacy or criminal legal system reform. Strong project management and organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively and maintain relationships with internal and external partners. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Preferred qualifications: Experience working on legislative and policy issues related to criminal justice or issue-based coalition work, including experience with public comments or testimony. Familiarity with the criminal legal system and the work of public defense organizations. Familiarity with current legislative campaigns and the shortcomings of the criminal legal system. Experience working with community organizations, elected officials, and organizers. Ability to work within a team model. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of movements to reform New York's criminal legal system, including jails and prisons. Demonstration or performance of coalition building and community engagement work. Ability to navigate public databases of state and local legislation and to contact lawmakers via their staff to schedule meetings and briefings. Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Commitment to the Legal Aid Society's mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers. Interpersonal and communication skills that enable productive working relationships. Ability to perform duties with confidentiality, integrity, and respect. Commitment to the Legal Aid Society's mission and values. Physical, Environment, Travel, and Other Duties
Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; remote communication and meetings via video. Travel within NYC (five-borough) and to Albany, NY. Salary and Benefits
The salary range is a good faith estimate of $65,000 - $70,000. Actual salary may vary based on factors including knowledge, skills, experience, and unionized salary steps. The Legal Aid Society offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, life insurance, and more. For details, read about benefits. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) information: The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for PSLF. Employees may be eligible for PSLF and other loan forgiveness programs. New York residents may qualify for state loan repayment assistance depending on years of practice. Links: studentaid.gov, hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs. Work Authorization
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for a work visa. We are not able to sponsor employment visas or permits. Citizens of Canada and Mexico may receive a letter documenting employment status needed to obtain a TN visa. How to Apply
All applications must be completed online via the career portal. Emailed applications are not accepted. Submit a combined PDF including: Cover Letter Resume For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org. Equal Employment Opportunity
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory actions based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice, and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues, and to continuously learning about identity, bias, and systemic oppression to dismantle bias in all forms.
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The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a Community Engagement Coordinator to contribute to the Policy Unit of the Law Reform Team. The Policy Unit leads policy and legislative initiatives on criminal legal issues at the state and city levels, delivers expert testimony and analysis on proposed policies, and advocates for legislative change in collaboration with community-based organizations and peer-defender groups. We seek an individual with personal experience of the criminal legal system to bring essential perspectives to our work. The Coordinator will participate in coalition spaces, help organize advocacy days, schedule meetings with elected officials, attend Community Board meetings, assemble advocacy day packets, provide input on legislative language, testify before City Council, and collaborate with Law Reform's Community Justice Unit (CJU) to educate and connect with the communities we serve. Professional development opportunities, including media training, public speaking, and legislative advocacy, will be provided to support policy reform efforts. This is a two-year position funded by a temporary grant, and continuation depends on funding availability. If funding ends, the Coordinator may apply for other internal positions or be transferred into a comparable role. Essential Duties / Responsibilities
Program Management: The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with the Policy team to organize and expand internal and external contact lists, schedule meetings, and maintain contact with elected officials and community partners. The Coordinator will help organize advocacy days, rallies, and hearing testimony. Community Engagement
The Coordinator will work with the Policy team to build and deliver educational platforms on legislative campaigns for the communities served, in collaboration with the Community Justice Unit and internal subject-matter experts. The Coordinator will participate in coalition spaces and work to build support for smaller legislative reform packages and attend community board meetings to build local support for criminal legal system reforms. The Coordinator will help develop a sustained method of communicating with New Yorkers who have been represented by our criminal practice to gather feedback and guidance for current and proposed reforms. Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned
Participate in continuous professional development. Learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate inclusive behaviors in the work environment. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications
Required qualifications: A combination of 2+ years of post-secondary education, work experience, or equivalent relevant lived experience (e.g., a period of incarceration). Demonstrated interest and experience in racial and social justice advocacy or criminal legal system reform. Strong project management and organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively and maintain relationships with internal and external partners. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Preferred qualifications: Experience working on legislative and policy issues related to criminal justice or issue-based coalition work, including experience with public comments or testimony. Familiarity with the criminal legal system and the work of public defense organizations. Familiarity with current legislative campaigns and the shortcomings of the criminal legal system. Experience working with community organizations, elected officials, and organizers. Ability to work within a team model. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of movements to reform New York's criminal legal system, including jails and prisons. Demonstration or performance of coalition building and community engagement work. Ability to navigate public databases of state and local legislation and to contact lawmakers via their staff to schedule meetings and briefings. Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Commitment to the Legal Aid Society's mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers. Interpersonal and communication skills that enable productive working relationships. Ability to perform duties with confidentiality, integrity, and respect. Commitment to the Legal Aid Society's mission and values. Physical, Environment, Travel, and Other Duties
Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; remote communication and meetings via video. Travel within NYC (five-borough) and to Albany, NY. Salary and Benefits
The salary range is a good faith estimate of $65,000 - $70,000. Actual salary may vary based on factors including knowledge, skills, experience, and unionized salary steps. The Legal Aid Society offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, life insurance, and more. For details, read about benefits. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) information: The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for PSLF. Employees may be eligible for PSLF and other loan forgiveness programs. New York residents may qualify for state loan repayment assistance depending on years of practice. Links: studentaid.gov, hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs. Work Authorization
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for a work visa. We are not able to sponsor employment visas or permits. Citizens of Canada and Mexico may receive a letter documenting employment status needed to obtain a TN visa. How to Apply
All applications must be completed online via the career portal. Emailed applications are not accepted. Submit a combined PDF including: Cover Letter Resume For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org. Equal Employment Opportunity
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory actions based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, caregiver status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice, and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues, and to continuously learning about identity, bias, and systemic oppression to dismantle bias in all forms.
#J-18808-Ljbffr