Advancement Project seeks an experienced, committed and creative Project Director in its Washington D.C. office to lead our Ending the Schoolhouse to Jailhouse Track Project team.
Advancement Project is a next generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. We tackle inequity with innovative strategies and strong community alliances. With a national office in Washington, DC and two offices in California, we combine law, communications, policy and technology to create workable solutions and achieve systemic change. We aim to inspire and strengthen movements that expand opportunity for all.
The Project Director will lead a dedicated team of professionals from multiple disciplines working to address the “School-to-Prison Pipeline,” namely the overuse of punitive school discipline policies and practices that push students – and especially students of color – out of school and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Advancement Project has been a pioneer in reforming school disciplinary models to prevent the push out of young people. Through state and local campaigns with grassroots partners, we have reduced suspensions, expulsions and the criminalization of young people of color leading to improved educational outcomes.
The Project Director will be expected to do the following:
- Oversee implementation of 10+ local and state-level advocacy campaigns in partnership with community-based organizations across the country;
- Develop and implement national strategies to build public will for dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline;
- Supervise the members of the team;
- Play a leadership role within the field, through public speaking, writing, and convening of allies; and
- Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across the country and create a diverse constituency of support for reform.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
- J.D. degree;
- 7+ years of advocacy, legal, or policy experience;
- Supervisory experience including mentoring and training junior staff;
- Demonstrated commitment to racial justice;
- Track record of getting results, handling a heavy workload and developing strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors;
- Excellent written, verbal, analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills; and
- Willingness to travel.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with community based organizations;
- Knowledge of legal and policy issues surrounding education including school discipline;
- Experience designing and implementing advocacy campaigns;
- Legislative or litigation experience;
- Budgeting and planning experience; and
- Fluency in Spanish or other languages.
Salary is based on experience; benefits included.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and a list of three references (including a grassroots organization) to the attention of Glendale Clarkson, at jobs@advancementproject.org. Reference “Project Director – Ending the Schoolhouse to Jailhouse Track” in the subject line.