) is a national advocacy organization dedicated to ending the practice of trying, sentencing and incarcerating youth under the age of 18 in the adult criminal justice system.
Summary of the Position:
Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ), the Policy Director is responsible for managing policy development and CFYJ’s state and federal policy agenda and overseeing our research agenda.
Liaisons with: Government statisticians and members of the non-academic research community (e.g., Bureau of Justice statistics, National Center for Juvenile Justice), scholars at academic institutions, national juvenile justice groups, juvenile litigation experts, and CFYJ state partners and allies.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities:
The Policy Director will:
- Develop and promote CFYJ’s policy agenda to address gaps in information related to youth tried in the adult criminal justice system, including managing efforts to expand federal and state data collection activities.
- Provide technical assistance on state law and policy to CFYJ’s state-based campaigns, including D.C.
- Track and report on law changes in states on reducing the prosecution of youth in adult criminal court and placement of youth in adult prisons and jails.
- Track, analyze, and summarize data, research, and state legislation and regulation about children in the criminal justice system.
- Respond to research and policy requests from CFYJ state partners and allies.
- Track, analyze and summarize federal legislation, particularly around JJDPA and PREA.
- Build relationships on the Hill and with key Administration officials to advocate for federal support on kids in the adult system.
- Write articles, fact sheets, policy papers,testimony, and policy briefs.
- Prepare updates and comparative analyses on state laws, policies, and developments on trying and sentencing children in the adult criminal justice system.
- Engage with the CFYJ Advisory Board to identify current research, and serve as experts on the issue for policy-makers.
Education: J.D. strongly preferred.
Experience: Required: 3+ years experience on state regulatory or legislative issues on juvenile or criminal justice; supervisory experience; a demonstrated interest in juvenile justice issues and dedicated to CFYJ mission.
Core Knowledge and Skills:
- Ability to be a strategic thought leader and generate strategic campaign ideas;
- Ability to analyze regulatory and legislative language & draft regulatory and legislative language;
- Knowledge of state and federal regulatory and legislative process;
- Willingness to be a team player both within CFYJ and with allies in the juvenile justice field;
- Ability to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline;
- Attention to detail and strong research, writing and editing skills;
- Excellent time management and organizational skills;
- A proactive, creative and flexible attitude;
Application instructions: Please send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to selection committee at info@cfyj.org. Please submit your application materials as MS Word or PDF attachments. Include all attachments in a single email and include, “CFYJ Policy Director Application” in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please. Position will be open until filled.
Compensation: CFYJ offers a competitive salary and benefits package that is commensurate with experience.
CFYJ does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and embraces an equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) workplace.
