Director of Policy

Title: Director of Policy

Unit: David Rothenberg Center Public Policy (DRCPP)

Reports to: Policy Counsel

Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000

Status: Full Time; Regular; Exempt

Location: Long Island City

The Fortune Society’s David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy provides the leadership role in Fortune’s policy development, advocacy, technical assistance, and community education efforts. DRCPP integrates Fortune’s internal expertise – the life experience of our formerly incarcerated staff and participants, and our first-hand experience as a direct service provider – with research to advocate for fairness, racial justice, and humane treatment in our criminal legal system. We promote effective program models and needed supports for people with conviction histories and work to change the counterproductive laws and policies that needlessly detain and incarcerate people and create unfair barriers to the successful reentry of people with convictions into our communities.

Position Summary:

The ideal candidate will have strong communication, analytical, and writing skills. The candidate will have deep personal commitment to and professional knowledge of the criminal legal system and other corollary policy issues, including but not limited to housing, employment, education and health. The selected candidate will play an important collaborative role in supporting the work of the DRCPP through various coalitions; participation in public-facing events; helping to develop and advance the policy agenda of the DRCPP; and in researching and writing about topics to support DRCPP’s policy and advocacy agenda (for example: the impact of discrimination on people with conviction histories and the efficacy of alternative to incarceration and reentry services in promoting public safety).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent Fortune in advocacy and outreach activities with relevant government agencies, key coalition partners and other organizations, stakeholders, and the general public;
• Provide testimony on behalf of Fortune at relevant hearings, as approved;
• Represent Fortune on panels, as a moderator or panelist, as an individual speaker at rallies and other events, and to media outlets, as approved;
• Maintain awareness of and analyze criminal legal system policy issues at the city, state, and national level, to assist in developing DRCPP’s annual legislative and advocacy agenda, as well as to maintain DRCPP’s timely knowledge of trends, related developments, and media/popular narratives;
• Prepare written materials for a wide range of audiences and purposes, including but not limited to policy analyses, testimony, and contributions to The Fortune Weekly and The Fortune News;
• Play a range of roles in various community meetings and forums;
• Assist in developing topics and identifying potential guests to appear on Both Sides of the Bars, Fortune’s monthly, national cable-access television show, and moderate episodes;
• Collaborate in maintaining existing, and identifying and developing new relationships with elected officials; government agency staff and leadership; service providers; advocacy organizations and coalitions; and other relevant individuals and entities;
• Participate in the Policy Center Collective (a group of Fortune staff committed to engaging in advocacy and other activities);
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Does not currently supervise paid staff, but may supervise interns, fellows, and/or volunteers.

Qualifications:

• 3 to 5 years of experience with 1 to 2 years relevant work experience (preferably in a research, direct social service, advocacy or academic setting).
• Knowledge of criminal legal system issues.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Strong teamwork ethos and ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners.
• Strong skills in writing, analysis, and research.
• Analytic ability including translation of research and data into compelling and persuasive, issue-oriented informational materials and/or talking points.
• Ability to identify top priorities and manage multiple priorities, including ability to pivot quickly and shift priorities in response to emergent political or other situations.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel and Scheduling Requirements – Travel within New York City, to Albany, and possibly elsewhere for meetings and events. Willingness and ability to attend evening and weekend meetings and events, and to work flexible hours as needed.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.