Policy/Legal Specialist

Operation Restoration • New Orleans, LA

4d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President People & Strategy, the Policy/Legal Specialist is responsible for helping to develop and implement Operation Restoration’s policy research and advocacy agenda and communicating with policymakers, stakeholders, the public, and the media about OR’s policy work.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in policy, public administration, law, social work, divinity or related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in nonprofit or public sector
• 3-5 years of experience in policy advocacy
• In-depth understanding of city, state and federal legislative and budget processes
• Strong, proactive project management skills with solid experience managing and coordinating research projects, policy analysis, and high-impact advocacy campaigns
• Deep commitment to social justice, policy advocacy and research, with an understanding of the needs of the communities that OR serves and a track-record of high-level impact on policy issues in the criminal justice field and on economic equity concerns
• Strategic, tactful, self-aware and authentic leader able to influence at the functional and organizational levels
• Ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of people in a manner that positively portrays Operation Restoration and its programs.
• Excellent computer skills. Regular use of Microsoft Office and Google products
• Ability to work well with diverse individuals and groups, balance needs and employ objectivity
• Ability to manage timelines, prioritize multiple products and meet demanding deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility to meet client needs and organizational changes

Responsibilities

• Develop internal capacity to conduct independent research and policy analysis, and to publish policy briefs and other public facing statements
• Remain informed and responsive in strategy and communication to policy developments that impact the criminal justice sector and present opportunities for OR to take a leadership position
• Measure the effectiveness of OR policy work/initiatives; define and lead change to meet objectives
• Engage network of public officials, private stakeholders, and community groups to present OR’s work for dissemination and feedback and to solicit viewpoints to inform future research and policy work
• Oversee planning and execution of events such as policy breakfasts, symposia, forums and roundtables to encourage dialogue and ultimately better policies, programs, accountability and practices in criminal justice reform
• Develop and implement fundraising strategy for policy research projects in coordination with the Executive Director and the Lead of Growth & Development.
• Provide written updates about policies to senior management team, as needed
• Support fund development staff with research and grant applications
• Manages Operation Advocacy annual budget by keeping track of expenditures and revenues
• Manage the Policy shared drive to ensure documentation is up to date and available to other team members
• Translate academic research into policy briefs and other materials accessible to OR’s audiences
• Train and supervise staff and/or interns working on policy research projects
• Develop and maintain a system to track and monitor bills for the State legislative session as well as monitor and track on-going New Orleans City Council Meetings and proposed ordinances.
• Collaborate daily with Operation Restoration staff to ensure organizational effectiveness
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties related to Operation Policy, as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level