• Is truly committed to centering directly impacted youth in policy reform campaigns.  Whether it’s drafting a one-pager, preparing for a legislative meeting, or making a strategic campaign decision, this person deeply understands the need to listen to those most directly impacted.

• Feels a real sense of ownership to get things done as a partner to the team.  This can mean responding to quick deadlines and changing conditions.  

• Enjoys outreach and collaboration and is excited to make connections with young people around the city and facilitate their leadership in our youth justice campaigns.  

• Has experience with grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and/or youth outreach and leadership development.   

• Has a demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) - Applies an introspective lens when considering one’s actions and biases when advocating and working with Black, Latiné, and other youth of color. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Youth Outreach & Leadership Development: Build the leadership of young people directly impacted by the criminal legal system through outreach, training, events, and avenues for campaign involvement.  Directly support youth members of the Youth Justice & Opportunity Act Steering Committee.  

• Campaign Planning and Development: Work with YR staff to develop formal mechanisms for youth input and decision-making into YR’s policy priorities.  

• Campaign Actions and Events: Work with YR staff and campaign partners to plan and coordinate campaign events to advance our policy goals.  These include rallies, town halls, press conferences, legislative meetings, social media action days, and lobby days.  Ensure that directly impacted youth are centered in the leadership, planning and execution of campaign events.

• Coalition Organizing: Build organizational support for youth justice priorities and help coordinate coalitions that include grassroots, direct service, legal services, and advocacy organizations; Represent YR on relevant coalitions and work groups 

• Policy & Legislative Advocacy: Create campaign materials; plan, attend, and prepare campaign members for legislative meetings; coordinate lobby days; train other campaign members on the legislative process; deliver testimony and prepare youth to deliver testimony before the City Council, state legislature, and other bodies; engage in campaign strategy development.  

• Communications: Draft social media posts; work with campaign members to develop materials; prepare members for media opportunities; coordinate social media action days; participate in social media strategy;  

• General Support: Provide administrative and fundraising support to campaign and policy work as needed.

Requirements & Qualifications:

Ideal candidates are self-motivated, passionate about youth justice, have strong communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice. In addition, we are looking for these qualifications and skills:

• The ideal candidate has 2+ years of relevant experience, including grassroots organizing and/or youth engagement and leadership development.

• Deep commitment to centering directly impacted youth in every aspect of our work and to dismantling systems that criminalize youth.

• An understanding of the criminal legal system and key policy issues.

• Interest in and ability to build partnerships, coordinate coalitions, and effectively facilitate meetings with training and support.

• Knowledge and experience organizing events and actions, such as rallies, trainings, teach-ins, and town halls.

• Knowledge and experience using social media tools.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Initiative, good judgment, strong work ethic and a sense of humor.

• Ability to stay organized, meet deadlines and work both independently and in collaboration with others

• Flexibility for statewide travel and ability to work some evenings and weekends.

• Young people and people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system or are formerly incarcerated are encouraged to apply, especially those arrested and convicted as teenagers or young adults. 

NOTE: Current COVID-19 Protocols 

• All interviews will be conducted remotely. 

• While our Manhattan headquarters is temporarily closed due to Covid-19, we anticipate re-opening our physical office in early 2022. 

Salary Range & Benefits Package 

• Salary for this position is $45,900 - $49,864, commensurate with experience. 

• We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the full premium for our medical plan. Other benefits include vision and dental coverage, disability, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options, commuter benefits, a 401(k) plan, and a generous parental leave policy. We also offer four weeks of paid vacation and nine holidays, and we close the office the week between Christmas and New Years.

Union 

• This position is a member of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys-UAW Local 2325.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of January 28, 2021. Applications without cover letters that directly address the candidate’s fit with the key qualifications will not be considered. 

Youth Represent is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating a truly equitable and anti oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We particularly encourage applicants from marginalized communities, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender nonconforming, disabled, and those directly impacted by the differing legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting a hiring process that is equitable and accessible to all.