✨ AI Insights & Summary
This Program Associate role at the Vera Institute of Justice presents a unique opportunity to drive meaningful policy change and provide critical technical assistance aimed at improving employment and housing access for formerly incarcerated individuals. The organization's commitment to advancing justice, particularly racial justice, combined with a focus on empowering underserved populations, makes this a compelling position for individuals passionate about social impact. If you are driven by a desire to break down systemic barriers and contribute to tangible solutions for justice-impacted people, this role offers a platform for significant influence and personal growth within a respected institution.
About the Team
Access to employment and housing is essential for successful reentry and post-release well-being. The Opening Doors and Unlocking Potential team is dedicated to creating pathways to meaningful work and dismantling barriers to housing for individuals with conviction histories. Through legislative advocacy and technical assistance, this team drives policy change and supports select jurisdictions to advance its priorities.
About the Role
The Program Associate will be instrumental in advancing the Initiative’s priorities by contributing to technical assistance and advocacy efforts, writing and presenting project findings, and providing essential team support and internal collaboration.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Technical Assistance and Advocacy
- Collaborate with leadership to develop state-based strategies for policy change and technical assistance.
- Cultivate relationships with partners and stakeholders in designated states to implement strategies.
- Provide advocacy support, including meeting with policymakers, assisting in coalition building, and drafting advocacy documents.
- Lead meetings, conference calls, webinars, and site visits, serving as a primary contact for external partners.
- Partner with state leads and leadership to collaborate with Vera’s Advocacy and Partnerships, Communications, and Research teams on state campaigns.
- Track and monitor relevant state and federal policies.
- Draft and finalize program and technical assistance materials, including work plans, agendas, presentations, recommendations, and guidance documents.
- Address and resolve employment and housing challenges faced by justice-impacted people for stakeholders like housing providers, employers, government partners, and direct service providers.
- Develop trainings or conduct policy analyses as components of broader projects.
2. Write-up/Presentation of Projects
- Prepare background research and literature reviews for reports, writing up results for public-facing products.
- Provide technical assistance to partners, including preparing public presentations and facilitating meetings.
- Co-author and co-develop content for program reports, fundraising proposals, presentations, and blog posts.
- Present on Vera’s work at conferences, webinars, and external events.
- Present at internal Vera events.
3. Team Support and Internal Collaboration
- Create agendas, update internal documentation, and support meeting facilitation.
- Mentor program analysts and/or interns on tasks as needed.
- Monitor relevant news coverage to stay informed about field trends.
- Support logistical and event planning processes.
- Assist with related research projects.
Qualifications
Required:
- A bachelor’s degree in political science, criminal justice, public policy, or a related field, and 3+ years of relevant experience. Applicable work or life experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
Preferred:
- Experience in reentry, workforce development, affordable housing, reentry housing, and/or homelessness.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of policy development, government, criminal justice, and social justice for underserved populations.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Excellent strategic, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects, committees, or workgroups.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work with individuals from diverse experiences and backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Knowledge of policy change processes is a plus.
- Knowledge of housing finance is a plus.
- Ability to travel domestically.
Location
This role reports to the Brooklyn, NY office, with a hybrid schedule requiring approximately 10 days per month in the office.
Compensation and Benefits
- Compensation range: $77,000 - $80,000.
- This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325.
- Benefits include merit pay, generous paid time off, comprehensive health insurance, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training, up to $2,000 annual for education costs, and an employer-funded retirement plan.
Application Process
Applicants will answer preliminary questions about logistics, interest, and qualifications. Selected candidates may be contacted for a phone screen/form before an interview. The process may include scenario exploration, assessments, and reference checks.