Youth Justice Engagement Manager

Organizational Overview

The Sentencing Project advocates for effective and humane responses to crime that minimize imprisonment and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice. The Sentencing Project engages in research and advocacy on sentencing and related issues, advocates for criminal justice policy and practice reform, and conducts broad-scale public education through media, online and other communications. Information about The Sentencing Project is available at www.sentencingproject.org.

Job Description and Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Director of Youth Justice, the Engagement Manager will lead The Sentencing Project’s outreach and engagement with young people directly impacted by the youth and adult criminal legal systems. The Manager will support an advocacy portfolio of youth justice issues in 8-10 states, in coordination with organizational team members and external coalition partners, on issues such as the removal of youth from adult courts, jails, and prisons; elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in youth justice; diversion from the youth justice system; and alternatives to incarceration for youth.

The Engagement Manager will, in partnership with the Director of Youth Justice and the Youth Justice Campaign Strategist, develop and implement youth- and community-led programs and strategies to support state and local advocates working to advance youth justice goals aligned with TSP priorities.

The Engagement Manager’s core responsibility is the inclusion and elevation of directly impacted youth and their families within TSP’s youth justice advocacy campaigns. This requires regular virtual and in-person communications and meetings with young people and travel to states in which TSP is engaged. As such, the ability to effectively and respectfully engage with and support directly impacted youth and families and allied organizations is a must.

The ideal applicant will be well versed in youth justice issues, well organized, and able to engage with multiple state-wide advocacy campaigns simultaneously.

The best applicants will have the ability to think creatively about how to advance The Sentencing Project’s youth justice agenda through various communications tools such as listservs, social media, and earned media, particularly in ways that engage young people.

Requirements

• At least four years of experience working on issue campaigns or policy reform initiatives.
• Experience working with directly impacted communities and people; experience with local and state-level coalitions working to advance social justice is strongly preferred.
• Meaningful contributions to successful campaign/advocacy work, including coalition growth; policy and/or legislative victories; demonstrated awareness-raising; and campaign/movement expansion.
• Ability to take initiative and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong written and oral communications skills are essential.

In keeping with The Sentencing Project’s desire for a diverse applicant pool, a bachelor’s degree is not required for this position. People with direct personal or familial experience with the criminal legal system or youth legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

Commitment and Compensation

• Compensation: $71,000 to $81,000, depending on experience.
• The position is full-time and based in Washington, DC; remote candidates will be considered, but not preferred. Please note in your cover letter if you are able to move to the Washington, DC area.
• Current office policy allows for hybrid work, with at least two days each week in person.
• Nationwide travel is required.
• The Sentencing Project’s generous benefits package includes four weeks paid vacation; accrued sick leave; parental leave; 100% employer paid health, dental, life and disability insurance for employees (dependents covered at 70%); a flexible spending account; both a discretionary and a matching contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan; annual professional development stipend, and transportation benefits.

Application Instructions

• To apply for this position, send an email titled “Youth Justice Engagement Manager” to employment@sentencingproject.org, attaching a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample of no more than three pages.
• Applications must be received by Oct. 25, 2024.

The Sentencing Project is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to cultural diversity and recruits without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, or prior convictions.