Society of New York (CSS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that draws on a 175-year history of excellence in addressing the root causes of economic disparity through research, advocacy, litigation and innovative program models that strengthen and benefit all New Yorkers. For more than ten years, CSS’s Legal Department has focused on ending discrimination faced by individuals with criminal conviction histories through a variety of approaches, including administrative and legislative advocacy, litigation, and direct services provided through its Next Door Project (NDP).
CSS seeks a Campaign Liaison to help advance CSS’s statewide, coalition-based Campaign for Criminal Records Expungement. The campaign, undertaken in coordination with partner organization Legal Action Center, has as its ultimate goal the passage of automatic criminal records expungement legislation in New York State. The Campaign Liaison will work directly with CSS Legal Department’s Community Organizer and other key staff to move this campaign forward, engaging in coalition-based organizing and advocacy efforts both in New York City and across the state. Work will also include trainings and presentations to community members, establishing and managing relationships with key criminal justice reform organizations, and meeting with state legislators, among other matters. Some in-state travel will be required. This is a 12-month, grant-funded position, with possibility of renewal. The Campaign Liaison will be a member of SEIU Local 1199.
Job Description:
- Assist the Department and its Community Organizer in furthering CSS’s coalition-based Campaign for Criminal Records Expungement
- In close coordination with the Community Organizer:
o Identify, recruit and coordinate community organizations, faith-based groups, advocacy organizations and organized labor groups that can act as viable coalition partners
o Identify and develop leaders who have been directly affected by criminal convictions who can serve as spokespeople for the campaign
o Coordinate meetings with ally and target legislators and executives and their staff
o Monitor and track relevant local and state legislative policy activity
o Organize campaign actions and activities (e.g., lobby visits, outreach events, town hall meetings, press conferences and rallies)
o Organize and execute workshops and trainings for potential campaign spokespeople concerning public speaking, engaging with media, civic participation, effective advocacy, and specific policy campaigns
o Deliver testimony and prepare individuals to deliver testimony before various committees of the NYS legislature, and other bodies
- Perform other duties as assigned
Job Requirements:
- Associate’s degree or relevant experience
- One to three years’ experience in an organizing role, preferably in a nonprofit, public policy, or advocacy-oriented setting
- Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice initiatives and racial and social justice movements
- Strong project management skills
- Well-organized, detail-oriented, and attentive to quality
- Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
- Flexibility: some evening and weekend work may be required
- Experience delivering workshops to audiences of more than 10 attendees preferred
- Superb interpersonal and communication skills
- Fluency in Spanish desired but not required
- Relevant life experience a plus but not required
Benefits: Competitive benefits package
How To Apply
For immediate consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume.
Location: New York, NY
This entry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
