Job Openings

CP-RPC Research Assistant

Contact: Debbie-Ann Paige
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: December 15, 2008

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring two research assistants to work on two projects, one addressing the involvement of people with mental illness in the criminal justice system, and one concerning the reentry of people from prison and jail into the community.

Justice Center projects develop consensus among diverse stakeholders on how to address different, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues. These stakeholders include — but are not limited to — law enforcement, court, and corrections professionals; mental health, substance abuse, and victims services providers; and researchers, advocates, and policymakers in a wide range of related fields. The Justice Center works to facilitate the translation of the common directives that emerge among these various constituencies into state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs.

These are two entry-level positions; although initially focused on maintaining the project websites, http://consensusproject.org, and http://reentrypolicy.org, the research assistants will be significantly involved in substantive policy projects and have an opportunity to take on more policy (and less web) work over time. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking to begin or advance a career in web development and site administration, public policy, criminal justice, or the law.

Duties:
Specific responsibilities of the research assistant include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Working closely with a small team to develop and implement a variety of initiatives on either criminal justice / mental health or reentry issues;
  • creating and updating web content (e.g., weekly features, updating resource pages) and working with a team of off-site web consultants to define goals, set timelines, respond to sample designs;
  • strategizing with staff and technical consultants about ways to use the web to promote policy work;
  • engaging in significant writing, research, and interactions with leading policymakers and practitioners by phone, over email, and in-person meetings;
  • analyzing relevant legislation, policies, and programs, and preparing and presenting reports on various criminal justice issues;
  • ensuring that senior staff and, where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments; and,
  • participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate should have some or all of the following qualifications:

  • Experience participating in website development and maintenance, as well as some technical expertise (e.g., knowledge of HTML), are preferred but not required;
  • excellent research, writing, and editing skills, and an analytical mind;
  • strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise way;
  • excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
  • efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently; and,
  • a college degree and full-time, office-based work experience.

SALARY RANGE:
Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested individuals should submit the following materials to Debbie-Ann Paige, dpaige@csg.org with “CP-RPC Research Assistant” in the subject line:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Résumé
  3. Writing sample (preferably no more than three pages)
  4. Names and contact information for references (at least two).

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.


Project Director, Reentry Policy Council

Contact: Debbie-Ann Paige
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a project director to help staff the Reentry Policy Council Project, an initiative begun in 2001 to increase the likelihood that people’s transition from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful.

The Reentry Policy Council is an initiative coordinated by the Council of State Governments Justice Center (“Justice Center”), a national nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. In general, the Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs.  Justice Center staff not only develop written and web-based materials but also provide on-the-ground technical assistance to cross-systems policymakers and practitioners from state and local jurisdictions.

This position will be primarily responsible for supervising a team of policy staff members, each of whom will be working on their own projects. In addition, the project director will have responsibility for managing one or two of his or her own project(s). Such projects range from developing guides for policymakers about strategies for ensuring people released from prison and jail have a place to live to delivering technical assistance to state government officials seeking to track the implementation of their state’s comprehensive plan to reduce recidivism.

Duties:
In this context, the project director will have a number of ongoing duties:

  • Supervising a small team of policy staff, providing oversight and advice on project planning, project development, project management, compliance with grant requirements/obligations (including project timetables), personnel issues, meeting planning, budget development, and fundraising;
  • Designing and drafting internal and external memoranda, written reports, and other products as relevant to the project director’s projects, as well as reviewing, editing, and approving such materials as created by Reentry Policy Council staff;
  • Motivating and maintaining a high performance team by working with other senior staff to recruit new staff as appropriate, assuring effective training/development of present and new staff, and evaluating staff performance;
  • Helping to shape and articulate the Reentry Policy Council Project’s long-range policy agenda, including specific initiatives and useful products that can become signature pieces for the Project;
  • Staying abreast of emerging trends within prisoner reentry arena;
  • Working with the communications and government affairs staff to facilitate the involvement of the Project’s varied constituency and efforts with the media and with relevant federal activity, including providing witnesses or interview subjects, drafting talking points, or providing program examples from the field;
  • Maintaining strong relationships with funders, board members, consultants, and partner organizations and cultivating new relationships with these groups, where appropriate;
  • Assuring that the work of the Project is truly national in scope, incorporating perspectives which reach across political, geographic, racial, class-based, and ethnic boundaries;
  • Reviewing and assessing overall Project capacity and efficiency including structure, operations, financial security, and technological systems, particularly in relation to the Justice Center’s other projects, including the Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project and the Justice Reinvestment Initiative;
  • Helping to assure effective internal communications systems both within the Reentry Policy Council Project and across the Justice Center by encouraging cooperation and cross-fertilization among projects as well as ensuring that senior staff is aware of progress and challenges faced by Reentry Policy Council Project staff/projects;
  • Representing the Reentry Policy Council (or particular projects of the Reentry Policy Council) through participation in and/or presentations at meetings of policymakers and practitioners from the criminal justice system or their non-criminal justice partners.

Education/ Experience:

  • Superior research, writing, and editing skills;
  • Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex information in a concise way;
  • Demonstrated success designing new projects and securing funding for them
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, keen judgment, and self-confidence, with a sense of humor and ability to maintain balance and perspective;
  • Ability to work with (and find consensus among) people from a wide array of backgrounds and perspectives, as well as an appreciation for the need to address issues in nonpartisan and non-polarizing ways;
  • Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently;
  • Willingness to travel an average of four to six days per month;
  • Relevant work experience in criminal justice (ideally corrections and/or community corrections) or other governmental policy area;
  • Experience delivering technical assistance;
  • Experience managing staff and budgets, preferably in a nonprofit/government organization;
  • A college degree (required) and a graduate degree in a related field, such as law or public policy (strongly preferred)

Salary Range :
Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.

How to Apply:
Interested individuals email the following materials to Debbie-Ann Paige, dpaige@csg.org

  1. Cover letter
  2. Résumé
  3. Writing sample (no more than three pages)
  4. References (at least two)

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.


Grants Assistant

Contact: Debbie-Ann Paige
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a Grants Assistant to work with the Budget Director on all financial matters related to the Justice Center. The grants assistant will work with all three offices of the Justice Center as well as the Council of State Governments headquarters office to oversee the financial operations of the Justice Center.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a nonpartisan policy organization that provides practical and evidence-based recommendations through reports, trainings, legislative briefings, web-based materials, and other means. The Justice Centers’ goal is to increase public safety and strengthen communities. Our primary audience is policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government who are in positions to implement our recommendations.

DUTIES:

  • Process accounts payable, purchasing and corporate card activity, and ensure financial compliance with federal regulations and foundation guidelines, as applicable.
  • Prepare monthly financial reports and ledgers for project leads to review
  • Review cost centers and ensure timesheets are submitted in a timely manner
  • Report to staff on a monthly basis of grants ending, reports due to funders and contracts expiring
  • Assist the Budget Director with data collection, input and analysis for the development of budgets, budget redistributions, budget reconciliation, and other calculations necessary to track the status of the budgets.
  • Draft contracts and letter of agreements and maintain database of current contracts
  • Implement new systems for managing reports and communicate financial information to Justice Center staff
  • Maintain financial and grant award files
  • Other duties as assigned by the Budget Director.
Education/ Experience:

BA/BS degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have at least 1-2 years of experience in finance in a non-profit setting, including direct experience in managing accounts payable; the ability to handle sensitive materials; excellent communication skills, both written and oral; will be detail oriented; and proficient in Microsoft Excel.

Salary Range :
Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.

How to Apply:
Interested individuals email the following materials to Debbie-Ann Paige, dpaige@csg.org

  1. Cover letter
  2. Résumé
  3. References (at least two)

Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.


Web Director

Contact: Debbie-Ann Paige
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a Web Director to develop the organization’s web communication strategy and coordinate the organization’s web development efforts. The Justice Center seeks a candidate with demonstrated interest and ability to plan and shape the web presence of a national nonprofit organization. Applicants interested in using web and project management skills to influence criminal justice policy and help increase the visibility, use, and impact of a nonprofit organization’s websites and online tools will find that this job suits their interests. The position offers senior responsibilities and access to resources and external contractors (both developers and designers).

The CSG Justice Center’s goal is to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The Justice Center a nonpartisan policy organization that provides practical and evidence-based recommendations through reports, trainings, legislative briefings, web-based materials, and other means. Our primary audience is policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government who are in positions to implement our recommendations.

The web enables us to present our work to our diverse audience in accessible, relevant, and engaging ways; foster peer networks and learning opportunities; and provide important updates to our members and the field. Through our various project websites http://consensusproject.org; http://reentrypolicy.org and http://justicereinvestment.org the Justice Center has been developing a web presence for a number of years.

Duties:

  • Strategy Development: Develop long-term strategic plans and budgets for website development and improvement, and oversee their execution. Work with Communications Director to develop a web communications strategy that is consistent with the organization’s broader communications efforts.
  • Project Development: Work with other web and policy staff to conceptualize and implement new online products. Improve existing sites by analyzing usage data and designing targeted responses. Provide quality assurance.
  • Internal Development: Develop and maintain internal procedures for managing projects and information flow, including budget monitoring and tracking, and expanding internal capacity for new web projects. Recruit new contract developers and designers, and internal support staff.
  • Marketing/Outreach: Collaborate with Communications Director to develop marketing strategies for new and existing web products. Ensure regular communications with organization’s constituencies, with messages that are consistent with organizational plan.
  • Supervising: Oversee the work of internal web assistants, off-site coders and design contractors, and policy staff who contribute to the development of new web products.

    • Education/Experience:
    This is not a coding or web design position. The ideal candidate will have a combination of extensive web development and project management experience, strong communication skills, proven ability to manage staff and work with consultants, active management style/leadership to ensure timely and efficient completion of all projects, and the ability to develop and follow budgets. We are looking for someone who can “think web,” and offer innovative ideas. Candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree and significant experience in online communications work. Experience in the nonprofit sector is preferred but not required. Managerial experience required.

    Salary Range:
    Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.

    How to Apply:
    Interested individuals email the following materials to Debbie-Ann Paige, dpaige@csg.org

    1. Cover letter (please identify salary requirements)
    2. Résumé
    3. References (at least two)

    Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.


    Government Affairs Assistant

    Contact: jobs-md@csg.org
    Location: Bethesda, MD
    Application Deadline: Open until filled

    The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a Government Affairs Assistant to support federal policy and government affairs work in Bethesda, MD.

    The Justice Center is a nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.) in state and local jurisdictions. The Justice Center has offices in New York, NY, Bethesda, MD, and Austin, TX.

    DUTIES:
    The Justice Center’s Government Affairs Department promotes the priorities of Justice Center Members on Capitol Hill and with the executive branch. Government affairs work includes advocacy around specific legislation related to criminal justice, as well as appropriations work to ensure funding of priority federal programs. Responsibilities include preparing reliable, comprehensive and timely reports for legislators, briefing memos, statements, testimony and other materials; coordinating grassroots advocacy efforts; participating in the development and implementation of advocacy efforts around criminal justice issues; responding to inquiries from the public and state and local officials; maintaining contacts and exchanges with organizations and legislative contacts; and helping set priorities for the Justice Center. The Government Affairs Assistant will report to the Director of Government Affairs and will work closely with other senior members of the government affairs team. This position offers a significant level of responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking to begin or advance a career in public policy or criminal justice.

    EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

    Key to this position is the ability to persuasively present the issues to policy makers, work with other organizations and advocates, and develop policy materials. The successful candidate will have excellent speaking and writing skills. The candidate must also demonstrate maturity, superior interpersonal skills, keen judgment, and excellent (not simply good) writing and research skills. Candidates must be efficient, well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize quickly and confidently. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and significant, full-time, office-based work experience. Experience with Capitol Hill, while not required, is a plus. Candidates should be willing, when necessary, to work long hours and to travel.

    SALARY RANGE:
    Salary is commensurate with experience and includes excellent benefits.

    DEADLINE:
    Open until filled

    HOW TO APPLY:
    Interested individuals should submit the following materials to jobs-md@csg.org with “Government Affairs Assistant” in the subject line:

    1. Cover letter
    2. Résumé
    3. References (at least two)

    Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.


    Communications Associate

    Contact: jobs-md@csg.org
    Location: Bethesda, MD
    Application Deadline: Open until filled

    The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center (www.justicecenter.csg.org) is hiring a Communications Associate to support its media and public relations work in Bethesda, MD.

    The Justice Center is a nonprofit organization that provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The Justice Center works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.) in state and local jurisdictions. The Justice Center has offices in New York, NY, Bethesda, MD, and Austin, TX.

    DUTIES:
    The Communications Associate will report to the Director of Communications. Duties include preparing op-eds, talking points, advisories, and press releases; working with state legislators and other stakeholders on local media efforts; helping to implement media strategies; overseeing and updating website content; editing online newsletters; preparing information kits; disseminating Justice Center products to myriad audiences using compiled databases and other resources; drafting written project materials; tracking media coverage on priority topics; organizing media events and briefings, using Web and new technologies to promote communications goals; and developing mechanisms to raise the visibility of the organization.

    EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

    The candidate must work well independently and as a team player; possess excellent (not simply good) writing and editing skills; have strong oral presentation skills; be computer-savvy; and be organized, detail-oriented and able to prioritize quickly and confidently. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Journalism, English, Communications, Public Relations, or other relevant field, and at least one year of experience working in journalism, communications, or public relations. Experience editing with Chicago or other style manuals, while not required, is a plus.

    WORK SCHEDULE:

    This position has flexibility in time commitment between a three-day, four-day or full-time work week. Applicants should address their work schedule preferences and salary expectations in their cover letter.

    SALARY RANGE:

    Salary is commensurate with experience and includes excellent benefits.

    DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

    HOW TO APPLY:

    Interested individuals should submit the following materials to jobs-md@csg.org with “Communications Associate” in the subject line:
    1. Cover letter
    2. Résumé
    3. References (at least two)

    Applicants who do not submit all of these materials will not be considered.


    The Justice Center provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies, informed by available evidence, to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The Justice Center is a nonprofit organization that works closely with legislative leaders, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and others to develop consensus on various, often highly politicized, criminal justice issues and to translate this consensus into comprehensive reports, policy briefs, state and federal legislation, model policies, and innovative programs. The Justice Center not only develops written and web-based materials, but also provides on-the-ground technical assistance to policymakers and practitioners from multiple systems (corrections, mental health, housing, etc.), in state and local jurisdictions.

    The Justice Center values diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.