Overview
Analyst, Vera Action Jobs in Washington, DC at Vera Institute of Justice
Who we are:
The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.
Vera has a staff of 230 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.
About the team:
Vera Action, launched in 2021, is an independent but aligned 501(c)(4) organization to the Vera Institute of Justice 501(c) (3). At Vera Action, we harness the power of advocacy, lobbying and political strategy to end mass incarceration, protect immigrants’ rights, restore dignity to people behind bars and build safe and thriving communities. Alongside organizers and advocates, government leaders and elected officials across the political aisle, we work to enact transformative policy change for safety and justice at the local, state and federal levels. Vera Action has 5 full-time staff.
About the role:
This position will coordinate day-to-day activities of the Vera Action team, maintain Vera Action databases, organize rapid response work, and hold partnerships with a variety of stakeholders within the organization as well as the wider criminal justice reform coalition. This is a junior role that will also help build the individual’s experience in writing, conducting research, leading presentations, and building and maintaining movement relationships.
Political outreach and research
Draft memos, decks, one-pagers, website content, and other materials that highlight Vera Actions’ messaging research and/or political analysis for a variety of political audiences
Research and track elections that are relevant to Vera Action’s work
Support presentations and meetings with legislators, policy makers, and other leaders to effect change in the criminal legal system, at the state and local levels
Support the development and maintenance of relationships with partners and stakeholders in government, non-profit, policy, and advocacy arenas
Assist with the production of public-facing reports for the Vera Action website
Administrative Support
Assist in planning, preparing for, and taking notes at meetings, conference calls, and webinars and conferences
Support the logistical/event planning for numerous trainings and conferences hosted by Vera Action.
Coordinate with internal and external partners on rapid response work
Project Support
As part of a team, provide technical assistance to partners and stakeholders, including preparation of public presentations, facilitation of meetings, and shared expertise
Maintain the Vera Action team’s meeting tracker and internal drive with research reports, memos, and other materials
Maintain coalition tables organized by Vera Action
Assist in maintaining and updating the Vera Action website
Write monthly project updates to distribute to Vera Institute staff.
Other duties as assigned
What qualifications are we looking for?
Up to three (3) years of experience with either (i) relevant undergraduate degree or (ii) 5 years of relevant work or life experience in lieu of degree.
or lived experience as a person with a history of justice system involvement.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you’ll bring:
Commitment to Vera’s mission and interest in social justice.
Excellent problem-solving, and analytic skills;
Strong interpersonal and communications skills;
You are willing and able to travel on occasion. You are also comfortable and creative in building rapport with partners and colleagues virtually
You can work effectively with a diverse array of people and positions, including advocates, government officials, criminal justice system personnel, practitioners, and people who are directly impacted by the criminal justice system
Technical knowledge helpful for this role:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Location:
Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY or Washington DC office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.
Compensation and Benefits:
The compensation range for this position is $64,000 – 67,000. In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff – both personally and professionally – is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here.
Application Process:
To receive further consideration for this career opportunity, applicants are asked preliminary questions about logistics, their interest and qualifications. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional details about their experience via a phone screen/form in advance of an invitation for a virtual or in-person interview with the team. Some searches may explore scenarios during the interview process and/or an assessment prior to reference checks and a hiring decision.
Applications may also be faxed to:
ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Analyst, Vera Action
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.
For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.
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Title: Analyst, Vera Action
Company: Vera Institute of Justice
Location: Washington, DC
