Policy & Legal Associate

Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Reports to: President & CEO 

Department: Operation Advocacy

About Operation Restoration:

Operation Restoration (OR) supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities. At OR, we focus on advocacy, education, economic mobility, and true economic equity for our staff, clients, and community. Our goal is to end the incarceration of women and girls. Incarceration is defined as confinement in prison, jail, immigrant, juvenile or military detention, or a deportation facility. Directly impacted women and girls are those that are or have been incarcerated, arrested, are on probation and/or parole. 

About the Position:

Under the direction of the President & CEO, the Policy & Legal Associate 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. The Policy & Legal Associate also provides post-conviction support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. 

Duties and 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.

• Conduct legal research and writing for Operation Restoration's Safety and Freedom Fund.

• Support incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people with post-conviction support to provide legal research and writing, support letters, resources, and more.

• Provide legal support to OR clients, including support with completing expungement. packets, drafting legal documents and affidavits, and attending court and administrative hearings.

• Assist clients with registering to vote and checking voter registration status.

• Collaborate daily with Operation Restoration staff to ensure organizational effectiveness.

• Support other OR staff with research and grant applications as needed. 

• 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 ongoing New Orleans City Council Meetings and proposed ordinances.

• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties related to Operation Advocacy, as assigned.

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

• Degree in policy, public administration, law, social work, divinity or related field. 

• Preference for policy advocacy experience (recommended 3-5 years). 

• Preference for experience in the legal field, specifically in criminal law. 

• 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.

• Knowledge 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 projects 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.