Senior Policy Specialist

### Community Resources for Justice (CRJ)

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a unique, 145-year-old nonprofit organization that provides direct care as well as research and consulting services within the areas of the Mental Health, Criminal Justice, and Public Policy fields. Our four divisions, Social Justice Services, Community Strategies, Behavioral Health, and the Crime and Justice Institute are recognized for their effectiveness and contributions to this important work.

CRJ offers competitive pay and excellent benefits which include:
– Flexible Scheduling
– 401k with company match
– Tuition Reimbursement/Remission
– Paid Time Off (Vacation/Sick)
– Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HRA
– Referral Bonus Programs
– Employee perks, and much more!

### About This Position

CJI is seeking a Senior Policy Specialist to join our Youth Justice team to lead and support multiple complex projects on state and local policy and implementation initiatives. This position will provide direct technical assistance to clients and funders and direct the work of project teams in close collaboration with project managers and directors. The ideal candidate for the position will have experience building and maintaining youth continuums of care, assessing resource availability and prevention and intervention services, facilitating collaborative change processes with diverse youth-serving stakeholders, and developing and implementing youth justice reform policies. Candidates should also have familiarity with youth justice research and exhibit excellent writing and critical thinking / analytic skills as well as comfort with an intensive editing process for all written work products. The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and virtually based work environment is critical. Travel is a required component of all CJI projects and will be expected for this position.

Interested candidates should apply by August 10, 2024.

### Duties & Responsibilities

– Lead multiple complex adult and/or youth justice research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects with local, state, tribal and/or federal agencies.
– Supervise policy analysts and/or policy specialists and provide mentoring, coaching, and leadership to project teams.
– Develop and deliver high-quality presentations on adult and/or youth justice issues to varied audiences, including line staff, mid-managers, executives, stakeholders, and policy makers.
– Develop high-quality external facing deliverables for varied audiences, including line staff, mid-managers, executives, stakeholders, and policy makers.
– Develop and manage relationships with system stakeholders.
– Serve in a leadership role on site visits representing both CJI and the project.
– Supervise and lead the evaluation of adult and youth justice policies and practices.
– Develop and execute work plans while working with Managers to delegate various components among project teams.
– Help create and maintain a culture in which staff are committed to implementing evidence-based practices and policies, with a particular emphasis on racially just outcomes, in adult and/or youth justice systems or related fields to improve public safety outcomes.
– In close partnership with Directors, Deputy Directors, and Managers, participate in business development activities including:
– Be attentive to trends in the field and develop creative proposal concepts to address problems and improve systems
– Draft sections of proposals
– Lead, participate in, and/or facilitate networking events which may include: conference presentations; publication of articles, briefs, or reports; webinars; podcasts; emails; speaking engagements; and/or newsletters.

### Job Qualifications

– Relevant bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in related field preferred. Preference will be given to candidates with work experience in criminal and/or juvenile justice, law, policy, administration, and research.
– Five or more years’ experience in criminal justice and/or youth justice research, policy and practice.
– Experience working with diverse stakeholders across the justice system and state government.
– Experience building and maintaining youth continuums of care, assessing resource availability and prevention and intervention services, facilitating collaborative change processes with diverse youth-serving stakeholders, and developing and implementing youth justice reform policies.
– Highly knowledgeable about adult and/or youth justice research and best practices.
– Demonstrated strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information.
– Prior project management and formal supervision experience.
– Highly developed writing skills and public speaking skills.
– Motivated and independent thinker.
– Possess high standards regarding work quality.
– Ability to interact with a variety of people, both in-person and virtually, in a professional and collaborative manner.
– Ability to coordinate and respond to priorities on multiple projects with tight deadlines.
– Proficient in Microsoft Office Products: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
– Must be willing to travel multiple times per month.

### About Us

Community Strategies (CS) supports adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities through specialized services that include Day Programs, Shared Living arrangements with providers, as well as over forty community-based group homes. Social Justice Services (SJS), supports those leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions through residential and non-residential programs. Behavioral Health (BH) has worked to break cycles of violence, crime, and incarceration by providing client-centered interventions and support services to empower and strengthen individuals, families, and communities. BH provides domestic violence treatment and education, community reentry services, mentoring programs, and intensive outpatient programs. The Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) is a non-profit organization working at the local, state, and national level to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. CJI provides technical assistance, research, and other services to improve outcomes in policing, the corrections system, pre-trial, re-entry, community supervision, and juvenile justice.

### CRJ’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Our vision is to be an organization that demonstrates its commitment to eradicating systemic racism and other forms of oppression. We will hold each other accountable in addressing the norms and practices that advantage few and harm many.

CRJ provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. CRJ complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every state in which CRJ has locations.

Learn more here