Criminal Justice Policy Manager

Position Title: Criminal Justice Policy Manager

Reports to: Policy & Advocacy Director

Position Summary: The Criminal Justice Policy Manager, under the direction of the Policy & Advocacy Director, oversees all criminal justice-related policy research and legislative advocacy for the organization.  The Policy Manager recruits, trains, and maintains a robust, statewide Criminal Justice Coalition comprised of organizations working to reform our justice system.  This position will also lead a major three-year statewide effort towards passing legislation to automate expungement of some criminal records.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Policy, Advocacy and Organizing

• Serve as the criminal justice policy expert for Empower Missouri, including keeping up-to-date on new data and policy recommendations.
• Amplify Empower Missouri’s power in the Missouri Capitol Building through cultivation of relationships with key legislative and executive branch elected officials and their staff members.
• Research evidence-based best practices on our priority issues and produce content that may be used on our communication platforms.
• Lead a major three-year statewide effort towards passing legislation to automate expungement of many criminal records.
• Recruit, train, & maintain a robust statewide Criminal Justice Coalition, including:
  • Keep national partner relationships active and engaged
  • Use data from national partners in advocacy efforts across the state
  • Connect with Missouri organizations who engage in criminal justice work and steward them to be a part of the coalition
  • Convene calls and meetings of the coalition
  • Organize advocacy days at the capitol building on behalf of the coalition
• Represent Empower Missouri at appropriate meetings or events related to criminal justice reform
• Attend national level meetings related to criminal justice reform
• Meet with legislators to discuss policies related to criminal justice reform

Organizational Stewardship

• Contributes to grant-writing and grant-reporting process for proposals related to criminal justice reform and collaborates on additional grants as requested.
• Assist with fundraising & donor stewardship as requested
• Serve as a spokesperson to the media on issues related to criminal justice reform
• Work with policy & advocacy team to organize advocacy days at the capitol
• Supervise interns
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep knowledge of and passion for national and statewide criminal justice reform efforts
• Baseline knowledge of all of Empower Missouri’s priority issue areas
• Strong leadership, planning and organizational skills
• Excellent coalition-building and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and shift priorities as needed
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated research, analytical and problem-solving skills

Desired Education and Experience:

• Minimum of five years of public policy, advocacy, or organizing experience, preferably in Missouri
• Previous experience specifically working in criminal justice reform highly preferred.
• Empower Missouri is open to a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. Competency, passion, and experience are more important than formal education, although we certainly welcome those with formal education credentials to apply.

Salary Range and Benefits:

$45,000-$55,000 starting salary with annual opportunities for merit-based and cost-of-living raises; health, life, dental and vision insurance; generous PTO policy, paid holidays, and retirement plan

Location of Position:

This position can be based anywhere in Missouri, with anticipated 50% travel in-state, particularly to Jefferson City.

To apply:

Submit cover letter, resume, and list of three references to jobs@empowermissouri.org.  Priority application deadline is March 24, 2021.  Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.