Strategist, Newark, NJ (Remote based in or near Newark, NJ)

Company: Equal Justice USA
Location: Newark
Posted on: April 10, 2021

Job Description:

Strategist, Newark, NJ (Remote based in or near Newark, NJ)

• Remote Position, based in or near Newark, NJ, United States
• Full-time Company Description Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) is a rapidly growing national organization working to transform the justice system by promoting responses to violence that break cycles of trauma. We work at the intersection of criminal justice, public health, and racial justice to elevate healing and safety over retribution, advance racial equity, and meet the needs of survivors. Our programs work to end the death penalty, expand community-based healing and violence prevention programs in impacted communities, reduce the scope of policing, and change the national narrative on violence and accountability. EJUSA has a bold vision for healing and equity that directly aligns with this urgent national moment - making this an exciting time to join our team and design the next phase of EJUSA's strategy. EJUSA has 22 extraordinary staff members throughout the country and a small national office in Brooklyn. We're a diverse, passionate team that loves working together to deliver real change. Job Description We are seeking a sharp and committed organizer, advocate, and strategic thinker to join our Violence Reduction Initiative team as our next Strategist in Newark, NJ. EJUSA has been working in Newark for the last 5 years to develop alternative responses to violence including community-based violence intervention, trauma response systems, healing, trauma-informed policing, and more. This person should have excellent communication, advocacy, policy, coalition-building, and communications skills and will lead the organizing and coalition-building efforts and drive systems change work in Newark, with the potential to engage in related work in other NJ cities as needed. This is a terrific opportunity to be a part of a dynamic and hard-working team at a leading grassroots advocacy organization.-- The Strategist reports to the Director of Advocacy and works closely with the Violence Reduction Initiative Program Director. Responsibilities Organizing: Work with our Newark team to recruit, train, and mobilize grassroots community members to redefine safety and justice, enhance healing, and advance systems change, including: Engage community stakeholders who have been survivors and witnesses of violence to raise awareness about trauma and mobilize action among Newark residents, city officials, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. Build relationships with domestic violence survivors, family members of homicide victims, community members, and law enforcement who have experienced trauma Support community members to engage in city or state level advocacy opportunities that increase support for alternative responses to violence and community-centered safety.-- Work alongside and support other health, mental health, criminal justice, youth-serving agencies to increase community interest in trauma-informed systems. Advocacy: Work as part of the Advocacy team to ensure legislative strategies, systems change, and other policy advocacy efforts regarding several trauma informed responses to violence are successful, including:-- Set up meetings with key stakeholders to advance policies, practices, and procedures to bolster Newark's trauma-response and violence prevention systems. Work with police departments and community partners to understand trauma and create new relationships, practices, and policies to reduce police harm. Mobilize Newark stakeholders in support of policy campaigns as needed, including recruiting witnesses to testify at hearings, contact their lawmakers, and/or speak out in the media.-- Coordinate with EJUSA's Communications Department to leverage media, online channels, and other communications to further our work in Newark.-- Coalition and Partnership Building: Serve as a representative for EJUSA in the field and a key voice in multiple movements (such as the criminal justice reform, violence prevention, transformative justice, and police reform movements) to shape strategy, ensure the effectiveness of coalitions and advocacy to promote trauma informed responses to violence, and increase knowledge of racial and historical trauma in local communities.-- Training and Facilitation: Act as a thought partner, facilitator, and trainer to community groups and other coalitions working to build trauma-informed responses to violence in Newark, including:-- Work closely with EUSA's training team to implement our one-of-a-kind training, From Trauma to Trust: Police/Community Collaborative Training, in Newark, and potentially as the program expands to additional cities in NJ where the training would complement or spark systems change efforts.-- Support and facilitate community spaces to advance dialog and collaboration, such as the Newark Public Safety Round Table.-- Support and facilitate a group of LGBTQ+ stakeholders working to advise the Newark Police Department on policies.-- Data and research: Stay on top of key developments in the field, specifically around violence prevention and trauma informed policing strategies; assess, collect and catalog examples of this work in action in NJ to build a databank of policies, practices, and proofs of concept that EJUSA staff can point to in advocacy and communications. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience, preferably in a social justice, racial justice and/or organizing environment Direct experience and comfort working with communities of color and/or organizations that represent people of color-- Experience and comfort working with and building trust with people directly impacted by violence and mass incarceration; sensitivity to working people who have experienced trauma Strong commitment to bringing healing to survivors and impacted communities Comfort or interest in working with actors inside the justice system, such as law enforcement Excellent interpersonal communication, networking, and social skills; ability and excitement to connect authentically and build relationships with diverse groups of people, including those with whom you don't agree-- Experience with facilitation and conducting workshops Knowledge in violence reduction/intervention, criminal justice reform, and/or police reform.-- Knowledge of and commitment to racial justice and racial equity Strong public speaker, ability to inspire action among diverse stakeholders Strategic thinker; flexible and tenacious; creative and entrepreneurial; positive and optimistic when tackling challenges; high energy and goal directed Ability to plan effectively, meet all deadlines, and coordinate the involvement of others Comfort working with a Mac or willingness to learn Ability and willingness to travel (note: during the time of COVID-19, EJUSA staff are not expected to travel) Passion and commitment to the mission and values of EJUSA Additional Information Location: Remote position based in or near Newark, NJ-- Reports to: Director of Advocacy Compensation: $55,000-$65,000, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits including employer-paid medical, vision, and dental care, retirement plan, 20 days paid vacation, 12 paid sick days, 11 paid holidays, 5 paid personal days, long-term disability insurance, and professional development allowance. EJUSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage a diverse pool of candidates to apply, including those impacted by the issues we work on. We consider all applicants on the basis of their ability to perform the job, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, physical appearance, age, mental or physical disability, credit history, veteran status, uniform service member status, justice system involvement, victims of domestic violence, stalking, or other crimes, political affiliation, or any other legally protected class. EJUSA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment against any of the above listed classes. To apply: Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter here. Strategist, Newark, NJ (Remote based in or near Newark, NJ)
  • Remote Position, based in or near Newark, NJ, United States

Keywords: Equal Justice USA, Newark , Strategist, Newark, NJ (Remote based in or near Newark, NJ), Other , Newark, New Jersey