Youth Justice and Child Welfare Policy Associate

Children’s Defense Fund – New York

The Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) office began in 1992, is located in New York City and has become a vocal and valuable city and statewide advocacy organization for the children of New York.

Mission of the Children’s Defense Fund

The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.

CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, foundation, corporate and government grants.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: The Youth Justice and Child Welfare Policy Associate will provide primary support to the Youth Justice, Child Welfare and Education Justice Policy portfolio. The Youth Justice and Child Welfare Policy Associate will report directly to the Director of Youth Justice and Child Welfare.

Specific job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, working independently and at the direction of the Director of Youth Justice and Child Welfare on the following:

Education Justice: 60%

• Represent CDF-NY on relevant workgroups and coalitions including, but not limited to, the Dignity in Schools Campaign, Bronx School Justice, Solutions Not Suspensions Coalition, the State Education Department’s Safe Schools Task Force, and the NYC Department of Education’s School Safety Community Partnership Committee.
• Track city and statewide education justice related initiatives and reforms, including the City’s School Climate Change Package.
• Draft briefings, fact sheets, articles and other deliverables, as necessary.
• Summarize budget, legislation, policies, and reports related to education justice policy.
• Prepare testimony, public comment, and provide input and guidance to State and City policy makers related to education justice reform, with a special focus on school-based discipline, restorative justice, and supports for students in schools.

Youth Justice and Child Welfare: 40%

• Participate in CDF-NY coalition work around youth justice and child welfare reform.
• Track data associated with youth justice and child welfare at State and City levels.
• Produce fact sheets and issue updates, as necessary.
• Participate in City and Regional youth justice research projects, as necessary.
• Conduct policy research on youth justice and child welfare issues.

Youth Development, Partnership-Building and Lobbying Activities (Across Education Justice, Youth Justice and Child Welfare Work):

• Supervise student interns through voluntary alternative to incarceration program.
• Participate in youth leadership development trainings for youth through CDF-NY’s Beat the Odds Scholarship Program to promote youth voice in CDF-NY advocacy.
• Lead and participate in community-building events, partnership-building with other advocacy and direct-service organizations, and City/State lobbying, as necessary.

Qualifications:

• A Master’s or degree in Public Policy or Social Work, or Law Degree, or at least two years of experience in a related field, preferred.
• An interest in issues impacting justice and/or child welfare system impacted young people.
• Familiarity with the agencies and organizations working on youth advocacy in NYC/NYS.
• An understanding of and commitment to the vision of the Children's Defense Fund.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working in coalitions.
• Experience in and understanding of youth development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively.
• A self-starter who is comfortable with a fast-paced work environment.
• Attentive to details and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Knowledge of web-based tools and social networking applications.
• Commitment to working on behalf of children, families and communities living in poverty.

Full-Time: 35hrs / week.

People with personal experience in the justice and/or child welfare systems are encouraged to apply

To apply submit the following required documents:

• Resume
• A cover letter description your interest in the position and CDF-NY
• A brief writing sample (no longer than 5 pages)
• Salary Requirement

The Children’s Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer