Program Associate, Sentencing Reform

Reducing extreme sentences is essential to a more just legal system, and the perspectives of crime survivors and system-impacted people should be central to that work. Over the past two years, the Sentencing Reform Initiative has built coalitions and advanced campaigns across multiple states to increase incarcerated people’s ability to earn time off of their sentences through rehabilitative behavior, allow judicial review of long sentences, end mandatory minimums, and create mechanisms for courts to consider survivors' experiences of abuse as a mitigating factor at sentencing. The project is now working to deepen legislative strategy and expand sentencing reform nationally.  

As part of the Sentencing Initiative team, the Program Associate will help drive research, coalition building, and legislative support in select states. 

1. Project Support and Coordination 

• Support the Program Manager and Director in developing strategy, tactics, and implementation across sites. 
• Monitor targeted sentencing reform legislation across states.  
• Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and follow-up for advocacy meetings, coalition calls, and legislative sessions.  
• Plan and help staff convenings, briefings, roundtables, and trainings for coalition partners and stakeholders 
• Collaborate with Vera's Advocacy and Partnerships, Communications, and Research teams to help move project strategy forward.  
• Track progress against project targets and milestones, flagging issues to the Program Manager as they arise. 

2. Advocacy, Materials Development, and Research Support 

• Conduct research and draft background materials, talking points, one-pagers, and presentations on specific bills. 
• Help plan and facilitate coalition meetings, advocacy days and workgroup discussions.  
• Build and maintain relationships with partners in government, non-profit, policy, and advocacy spaces. 

3. Leadership, Funder, and Partner Materials 

• Draft materials, briefings, proposal sections, and reports for Vera leadership, funders, and prospective partners and sites. 
• Compile information and materials for meetings with funders, leadership, and prospective partners or sites. 

4. Team Support and Internal Collaboration 

• Create agendas, update internal documentation, and support facilitation of team meetings. 
• Mentor program assistants, analysts, and/or interns on tasks as needed. 
• Monitor relevant news coverage to stay informed about trends in the field. 
• Support logistical and event planning processes, as needed. 
• Take on additional responsibilities outside the core role, as needed, to keep project work moving as part of a small team. 

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree and three plus years of relevant experience. In lieu of the degree requirement, applicable work or life experience may be considered. 
• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a small-team environment. 

 Preferred:  

• Coursework or a graduate degree in progress in public policy, social work, political science, criminal justice, or a related field; or equivalent work experience; or relevant work, educational background, or lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system. 
• Experience or demonstrated interest in coalition work involving people impacted by the criminal legal system and/or crime survivors. 
• Experience or demonstrated interest in legislative advocacy campaigns. 
• Event/convening planning experience, including logistics, agenda-setting, and materials, in both virtual and in-person settings. 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. 
• Strong research and writing skills. 
• Excellent strategic, problem-solving, and analytic skills. 
• Experience and ability to manage multiple projects, committees, or work groups. 
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills. 
• Ability to work with people with diverse experiences and backgrounds. 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. 
• Knowledge of policy change processes is a plus. 
• Knowledge of sentencing laws and legislation is plus.  

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month. This role may require up to 15% of travel.

The compensation range for this position is $77,000 - $80,000. In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here. 

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / [JOBTITLE]
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.