Program Associate, SAFE Network - NYC/DC
New York, NY

Job Description

Please note that our Manhattan office will be relocating to Industry City in Brooklyn, NY this year.

Are you interested in working to secure equal justice, secure a fair day in court for immigrants, and keep families together? Do you want to drive effective, sustainable policy change by supporting immigration advocates and local government through policy and program management? Do you enjoy working collaboratively on a team, as well as taking initiative and managing projects independently? If so, this may be the ideal position for you!

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, is an independent, non-partisan, nonprofit organization that combines expertise in research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects to assist leaders in government and civil society examine justice policy and practice, and improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety. We're passionate. We're dynamic. We're innovative. In a nutshell, we drive meaningful change. What that means is that:

* We study problems that impede human dignity and justice.
* We pilot solutions that are at once transformative and achievable.
* We engage diverse communities in informed debate.
* We harness the power of evidence to drive effective policy and practice.

What we're doing:

We are helping to build a movement-among government leaders, advocates, and the immigration legal services community-towards universal legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. In the face of stepped-up immigration enforcement, millions of non-citizens are at risk of extended detention and permanent separation from their families and communities. In 2017 Vera convened the Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Network, a group of diverse local jurisdictions that have committed public taxpayer dollars toward legal representation for immigrants in their communities facing detention and deportation. We partner with local government leaders, a closely-connected network of legal defense programs, and advocates to establish publicly funded deportation defense programs around the country and use our expertise in program design, research, and communications to advance our vision of government-funded counsel for all immigrants facing deportation.

That's where you come in:

Vera's Center on Immigration and Justice seeks a Program Associate to join the SAFE Network team in our New York office. You will work closely with the Program Director, Senior Planner, and Senior Program Associates to identify and develop opportunities to advance government-funded counsel for all immigrants facing deportation. You will be responsible for helping coordinate technical assistance along with the program team in support of legal service providers, local government stakeholders, and advocates running publicly funded deportation defense programs. You will also conduct policy and legislative research in a variety of jurisdictions and spanning local, state, and federal government.

What we need in you:

The following examples of core responsibilities, as provided below, are illustrative. Other responsibilities may be added over time.

* Provide generalized support to the program team. You will work in a supportive role to assist the Senior Program Associates and other senior staff on a variety of duties as assigned.
* Devise and coordinate technical assistance to program sites. Technical assistance may take the form of in-person trainings and convenings, webinars, Network conference calls, and other means as appropriate.
* Brainstorm solutions for challenges experienced by program sites. Through technical assistance and policy/legislative research, you will help the team to think creatively about solutions for challenges experienced by the Network, and help implement solutions.
* Assist in the preparation of reports to government partners. Working in collaboration with members of the program and research teams, you will use client data and stories to demonstrate the need for and impact of the program, and identify opportunities to enhance program design.
* Identify best practices. You will be responsible for regularly identifying promising practices among programs, and will devise ways to disseminate information about such practices to encourage implementation elsewhere.
* Assist on other projects as assigned.

What you bring:

The successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. If you aren't sure but are excited about the position, we encourage you to apply.

* You have demonstrated knowledge of immigration policy and immigration law.
* You are able to manage work on multiple projects effectively and efficiently. You enjoy collaborating with a team, but are also able to take initiative and work independently.
* You have a desire to effectuate change in partnership with advocates as well as local government.
* A J.D.; M.A.; or a strong familiarity with the provision of immigration legal services and at least 3 years of legal, government, or policy work experience;
* Strong writing and legal/policy research skills;
* Experience representing detained immigrants is a strong plus;
* Experience working with local governments and broad coalitions on policy reform issues is a strong plus;
* Ability to read and communicate effectively in Spanish is a plus;

Compensation:

Salary starting from $60,000, based on experience, with excellent benefits.

Location

The position is located in Vera's D.C. or New York offices.

How to apply

Please submit cover letter and resume. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until position is filled. Online submission in PDF format is preferred.

However, if necessary, materials may be mailed or faxed to

ATTN: Human Resources / Program Associate, SAFE Network - NYC/DC

Vera Institute of Justice

233 Broadway, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10279

Fax: (212) 941-9407

Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.

No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action 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.

Vera 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 and CIJ's work, please visit www.vera.org.