The Sentencing Project promotes effective and humane responses to crime that minimize incarceration and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial/ethnic, economic, and gender justice.The Sentencing Project engages in cutting-edge research on  sentencing and related issues and anchors advocacy campaigns that challenge extreme sentencing and racial disparities in the criminal legal system.  Information about The Sentencing Project is available at www.sentencingproject.org.

Job Description and Responsibilities  

The Sentencing Project is hiring two Campaign Strategists who will report to the Director of Advocacy.

• The Strategist for the Campaign to End Life Imprisonment will develop and  implement a program to support state and local advocates working to challenge the nation’s life sentencing laws.  Campaign priorities include ending life without parole and other extreme sentencing policies, capping maximum penalties at 20 years, promoting “second look” provisions, and fostering a culture shift that rejects excessive punishments in favor of restorative approaches to public safety. The Strategist will anchor a national conversation to advance sentencing reforms that minimize extreme sentences through state legislation and local resentencing strategies.
• The State Campaigns Strategist will support state and local advocates advancing sentencing reforms and challenging collateral consequences. Issues to be addressed include mandatory minimums, voting rights, drug policy, reentry and racial/ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system.

Support for state reform efforts will be tailored to the needs  and opportunities in selected states, but Strategists’ activities likely involve providing research assistance, developing  communications strategies, aiding in coalition-building, and advising on legislative campaigns.  The Campaign Strategists will be part of the advocacy team working at both the federal and state  level. The positions will involve travel to selected states post pandemic.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and expand  networks of groups working to challenge mass incarceration, extreme punishments, collateral consequences for a criminal conviction, and racial disparity in the criminal legal system.
• Work with groups at both the national and local level and identify new constituencies to include in the movement, as well as groups that were previously unconnected to the larger reform movement.  Focus on engaging and supporting people directly impacted by mass incarceration.
• Provide strategic and technical assistance to advocates in state campaigns and connect campaigners to share strategies.
• Develop strategies and tools for dealing with shared challenges and opportunities for the movement and disseminate these to the field.
• Identify research and training needs for the field and coordinate response to these needs, including identifying appropriate trainers and training opportunities.
• Provide strategic technical assistance to state campaign advocates on a range of issues, like coalition management, communication/media, policy, research and data, connecting campaigns to the broader campaign network and to experts in the field.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field.
• Speak at meetings and conferences, and maintain visible leadership in the field.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• At least five years of experience shaping and leading issue campaigns to challenge mass incarceration and advance racial justice.
• Demonstrated success in campaign work, including coalition growth; policy and/or legislative victories; demonstrated awareness-raising; and campaign expansion.
• Extensive knowledge of a range of topics related to criminal justice, racial justice, prison conditions, movement building, policy making, and political power building.
• Ability to take initiative and work both independently and collaboratively.

COMPENSATION

The position offers a salary of $80,000 to reflect years of experience and a commitment to support movement leadership. The Sentencing Project offers employee benefits that include generous paid time off, health insurance, and parental leave. The position is full-time.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates who are qualified by experience, skill, and personal motivation are invited to apply. Please send a cover letter, a current resume, and the names and phone numbers of three references to the Hiring Manager at Employment@sentencingproject.org. The Sentencing Project is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. The Sentencing Project values diversity and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color, women, LGBT persons, people with disabilities, and those directly impacted by the justice system are encouraged to apply for all positions.