Director of Policy

The Policy and Advocacy Director will lead Initiate Justice’s statewide policy initiatives and advocacy efforts. This person will be responsible for researching, writing, passing, and implementing statewide legislation and other related campaigns to end incarceration in California. The Director will increase the visibility and influence of Initiate Justice and Californians impacted by incarceration in the state legislature, while building strong relationships with legislators, staff, and partners. The Policy and Advocacy Director serves as the primary strategist for Initiate Justice’s advocacy campaigns, leads the policy team and is responsible for ensuring strategies are directly informed by people most impacted by incarceration.

As our Director of Policy & Advocacy, you will:

• Develop and implement statewide policy solutions, campaign strategies and programs that center the leadership of people impacted by incarceration
• Provide research and critical analyses on criminal legal and juvenile justice issues to develop policy proposals and advocacy campaigns statewide
• Write legislative/budget proposals and draft bill language and amendments
• Gather insight and data from impacted people to inform efforts and strategies
• Monitor and analyze relevant legislation, statutes, regulations, and case law
• Prepare written materials to support policy efforts and campaigns.
• Advocate for public policies in the CA state legislature, attend legislative hearings and meetings, and provide written and oral testimony
• Represent Initiate Justice in coalitions, and develop coalitions and workgroups
• Develop and coordinate policy events and grassroots campaign activities for impacted people to be heard by legislators and decision makers
• Communicate Initiate Justice’s policy analyses in clear and effective ways
• Train staff, organizers and members, peer organizations, and volunteers to understand statewide policy advocacy and advance policy objectives
• Measure the effectiveness of policy work/initiatives, and define and lead change to improve the organization’s impact
• Complete other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Executive Director

Visit TinyUrl.com/IJPolicyDirector to learn more and apply.

JOB SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & REQUIREMENTS:

Policy and advocacy experience:

• Strong research and analysis skills, persuasive writing and public speaking styles, and substantial lobbying experience
• Demonstrated success achieving policy change and developing campaigns informed by community, while exhibiting a deep understanding of CA’s legislative processes, and the ways in which law and policy shape our society
• Familiarity with the carceral landscape in California and nationally
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with legislators, their staff, the governor’s office, and key agencies and decision makers

Communication and relationship building skills:

• Ability to communicate policy landscapes, legislative processes and the need for policy change in an accessible and energizing manner to all audiences.
• Experience developing strong, collaborative relationships; and building and working in coalitions
• Excellent with open, transparent communication and decision making; and active, non-judgemental listening

Leadership and other job requirements:

• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize, and effectively manage multiple projects
• Ability to frequently adapt to changing environments and priorities, lead with compassion, and support organizational change and development
• A commitment to intersectional, abolitionist values; dismantling punitive, oppressive criminal legal systems; and disrupting societal structures that uphold racist, patriarchal, hetero-normative, and capitalist ideologies
• Demonstrated success centering and advocating for the needs and experiences of people impacted by incarceration
• Must be tech-savvy and well versed in Google Suites.
• Must be willing to travel frequently throughout California, with travel to the CA State Capitol sometimes required several times in a month

Preferred Qualifications:

• People with lived experience / impacted by incarceration will be given priority
• Applicants with 3-5 years of experience in policy advocacy— we will consider any combination of both traditional and non-traditional education, professional experience, and training in related fields and work
• Established relationships and network within the criminal justice reform and abolitionist movements statewide, the CA legislature, and related agencies
• Spanish-speaking ability is a plus

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

$90,000 - $100,000 annual salary (depending on strengths and experience), full-time position with a competitive benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance premiums paid by Initiate Justice
• Retirement plan enrollment after 6 months, 4% matched by Initiate Justice, with potential for an additional discretionary 1% match each year
• 12 Paid Holidays, and an additional
• 4 paid weeks in office closures/breaks
• 1 paid Friday off each month
• Your Birthday off, paid
• 2 Paid Floating Holidays - “Freedom Days”
• Vacation Days: 10 | Sick Days: 8 | Emergency Days: 6
• Home office/remote work stipend (tax-deductible wages)
• Other Employee programs include:
• $1,000 in funds annually for professional development (prorated based upon hire date)
• $500 in prorated funds for healing/wellness, for staff impacted by incarceration for year 1 of employment (prorated based on hire date), and then $1,000 each calendar year thereafter.

This position is open until filled, with preference given to applicants who apply by May 3rd. Target Start Date: June 1st

ABOUT INITIATE JUSTICE:

Initiate Justice’s mission is to end incarceration by activating the political power of the people it directly impacts. We organize our members, both inside and outside of prisons, to advocate for their freedom and change criminal justice policy in California. We have tens of thousands of incarcerated members, hundreds of inside organizers, and hundreds more outside members and organizers throughout California. We are 100% led by people directly impacted by incarceration. Since our founding in 2016, we have been instrumental in sponsoring and passing more than 10 pieces of legislation.

Learn more at InitiateJustice.org

Initiate Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do no not discriminate against any applicant, or any employee because of their age, culture, racial identity, gender identity, gender conformance, sex, disability, former incarceration status, national origin, race, religion, veteran status, survivor status, or any other trait. We strongly encourage everyone to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Family leave
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Travel reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• Up to 25% travel

Work setting:

• Hybrid work
• Office

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience with the California state legislative process?
• Do you have experience leading policy initiatives and/or community-based advocacy campaigns?

Experience:

• Legislation: 3 years (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Los Angeles, CA 90014