Policy Analyst, Decarceration and Decriminalization

Southern Poverty Law Center•Washington, DC

1d•$102,637•Hybrid

About The Position

The SPLC Policy team works to advance the SPLC’s agenda with government officials, advocating policy, legal, and legislative recommendations in alignment with the SPLC’s Impact Statement. Reporting to the Policy Research Manager, The Policy Analyst for Decarceration and Decriminalization is dedicated to creating compelling assets that build the case for dismantling systems of mass incarceration that especially impact Black and Brown people, including the school-to-prison pipeline, sentencing and parole reform, and the targeting of immigrant populations. Working closely with the SPLC’s federal and state policy teams and other internal stakeholders, the Policy Analyst, Democracy and Decriminalization is responsible for conducting fact and policy research; producing excellent written policy research products, reviewing and analyzing data; and cultivating partnerships and collaborations with think tanks, academic institutions, and community partners to develop and advance policies to protect voting rights and expand democracy.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in public policy with knowledge and advocacy expertise on issues related to criminal legal systems.
Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally.
Ability to formulate research strategies and analyze data.
Ability to effectively manage time while working in a fast-paced environment. Pivoting from one assignment to another to accomplish goals and the complete assignments.
Demonstrated ability to work with internal departments, external organizations, and stakeholders to execute specific policy research strategies to advance the work of the policy department.
Demonstrated awareness for SPLC's mission and vision; and a commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and fostering an anti-racist work culture and antiracist principles and learning.
Minimum 5 years of experience in public policy, with a demonstrated knowledge in criminal legal systems, with a combination or experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills and abilities required.
Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy or related field.

Responsibilities

Formulate the research strategy for SPLC’s democracy policy analysis in our states and at the federal level, ensuring high-quality data analyses, development of evidence-based policy options, and effective public and policy-maker educational efforts aimed at changing state and federal law, policy and practice.
Produce high-impact publications (reports, white papers, etc.) related to trends in the criminal legal system and evaluations of policy reforms.
Collaborate with federal and state policy teams, the criminal legal system litigation team, Learning for Justice, the Intelligence Project, and other internal stakeholders to identify needs, develop strategies and implement work plans.
Collaborate with the Research Manager and federal/state policy teams, cultivate productive relationships and communication with a wide range of constituencies interested in criminal justice policy, including policymakers, government officials, researchers and advocates.
Support legislative advocacy by tracking and analyzing the impact of policy proposals and interpreting research and data for policymakers in coordination with other policy staff.
Provide real time support to the SPLC’s policy team to deliver quick, accurate answers to emerging criminal legal system policy research questions.
Collaborate with federal and state policy teams, the Communications Department, SPLC programs, and internal stakeholders to develop communication strategies around campaigns and serve as spokesperson upon request.
Represent SPLC in various fora, including before community groups, policy makers, and agencies upon request.
Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic and impactful work while ensuring their contributions are directed towards the shared mission, vision and values of the center and department’s goals.
Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.