Job title: Program Assistant
Location: Washington, D.C. (metro accessible)
Organization: Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY)
Due: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled
Position Available: Immediately

Background: The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) is a national coalition and clearinghouse that leads, coordinates, develops, and supports efforts to implement just alternatives to the extreme sentencing of America’s youth, with a focus on abolishing life‐without‐parole sentences for all youth. Our vision is to create a society that respects the dignity and human rights of all children through a justice system that operates with consideration of a child’s age, provides youth with opportunities to return to the community, and bars the imposition of life‐without‐parole sentences for people under age 18. The CFSY collaborates with advocates across the United States and in Washington, D.C., that use public education, advocacy, and litigation as strategies to pursue this goal, and endeavors to lead efforts from behind, supporting strategies developed by partners working on the state level. The CFSY’s small team works closely in a friendly, collaborative work environment.

Summary of Position: The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth seeks a tenacious, dedicated, creative individual to join the CFSY’s Washington, DC office and provide critical programmatic and administrative support to the staff, manage logistics for the CFSY’s annual Convening, and engage volunteers. The CFSY offers a full benefits package and competitive hourly wage, commensurate with experience and skills. We request at least a 2‐year commitment. Another Program Assistant supports other aspects of the CFSY’s work. This position is full‐time and non‐exempt.

Duties will include:

• Manage the logistics for the CFSY’s annual Convening, including creating and maintaining an event planning timeline, tracking progress, taking minutes at related meetings, budgeting and tracking expenses, identifying and securing a hotel block, securing and liaising with venue and vendors, tracking attendance, managing day‐of logistics, agenda creation, printing materials, etc.;
• Coordinate opportunities for individuals seeking to volunteer with the CFSY;
• Develop and update target lists of donors and VIP’s and propose engagement strategies;
• Respond to inquiries about CFSY;
• Schedule calls and meetings and take minutes;
• Maintain files and lists;
• Develop programmatic materials, including infographics or fact sheets;
• Conduct occasional targeted research regarding JLWOP and other extreme sentences for youth in order to advance campaigns;
• Assist on ad hoc basis with other CFSY events; and
• Book travel for some staff.

Additional duties may arise based on demonstrated ability, interest, and capacity

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have office/administration and event planning experience, whether in a professional, volunteer, or extracurricular capacity, a knack for engaging others, demonstrated organizational and computer skills, as well as excellent writing abilities and competence with social media. Strong interest in criminal justice issues, particularly progressive reform to harsh juvenile sentencing practices in the United States, racial discrimination in juvenile justice, and/or human rights in the United States are required. Ability to work during weekends on occasion is preferred. Work and/or internship experience in juvenile justice organizations and/or legislatures is highly desirable.

Core competencies:

• Self‐motivated and creative – takes initiative to start and sometimes develop new tasks and works diligently to complete them without intense supervision
• Personable – Demonstrated ability to bring people together to accomplish goals; has a communications style that engages others and motivates action
• Organized and detail‐oriented – maintains system for organizing work materials; able to function under pressure and handle numerous tasks simultaneously
• Flexible with time management – able to prioritize with minimal supervision and take on unexpected tasks as they arise and a quick learner
• Enthusiastic about learning – able to take guidance on assigned tasks, eager to gain new skills and be challenged, and interested in regular feedback on completed work
• Excellent communicator – good oral and written communication skills; honest and straightforward with questions and ideas
• Commitment to working as a team – friendly and courteous, willing to work closely with CFSY staff, including additional Program Assistant, and as part of the larger community working to end JLWOP; sees program and administrative support role as crucial to the success of the organization
• Commitment to CFSY mission – Passion to end to life sentences for children in the United States
• Sense of humor

Compensation: The CFSY offers a competitive hourly wage for this position, as well as a generous benefits package, including employer‐paid premiums for a platinum individual health insurance plan, life and disability insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan. This position is full‐time and non‐exempt.

How to apply: Email in a single attachment: a letter of interest, your resume, names of at least three references, and a brief, unedited writing sample to info@fairsentencingofyouth.org. Use “Program Assistant” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. PDF format strongly preferred. No phone calls please.

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The CFSY is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool. People of color, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and those with personal experience in the juvenile or criminal justice systems are strongly encouraged to apply