The Fines & Fees Justice Center, the pre-eminent nonprofit driving reform of the use of fines and fees in the criminal justice system, is seeking a strategist and advocate to lead campaigns advancing FFJC’s mission in states across the country and at the federal level. Bringing experience in propelling policy change and the capability to balance big-picture thinking with technical expertise, the National Advocacy and Campaigns Director will lead a team charged with setting, advancing, and implementing fines and fees reform strategies across the country. The Director will serve as both a spokesperson for this issue area in the national arena and a driver of FFJC’s impact in states where the organization does not have local staff.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The Fines & Fees Justice Center (FFJC) is a national center for advocacy, policy, information, and collaboration on effective solutions to the unjust and harmful imposition and enforcement of fines and fees in the criminal legal system. FFJC’s mission is to end abusive collection practices, eliminate fees in the criminal legal justice system, and make fines proportional to the offense and the individual. FFJC works with impacted communities, advocates, and justice system stakeholders to create an equitably funded justice system that treats individuals fairly and ensures public safety.
OPPORTUNITIES FACING THE NATIONAL ADVOCACY AND CAMPAIGNS DIRECTOR
Reporting to the FFJC Deputy Executive Director (DED), the National Advocacy and Campaigns Director will:
• Supervise the National Advocacy and Campaigns Team (currently four staff in addition to the Director).
• Develop and oversee the strategic plan of the National Advocacy and Campaigns team.
• Develop and implement team policies and procedures, including the national team’s operating and program budgets.
• Along with the DED, maintain and build external relationships to advance the mission and legislative and policy goals of FFJC.
• Along with the National Advocacy and Campaigns Deputy Director, grow, develop, and maintain FFJC’s two national campaigns – End Justice Fees (EJF) and Free to Drive (F2D). EJF is a campaign to eliminate fees in the justice system and F2D is a campaign to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions.
• Oversee the development and growth of state- and local-level fines and fees reform efforts.
• In consultation with the DED, develop strategies to launch and execute new national campaigns, projects, or initiatives that advance the mission of FFJC.
• Work with the National Advocacy and Campaigns Deputy Director to oversee the management of, as well as provide strategic and technical assistance to, state and local advocates and community-based organizations, policymakers, and stakeholders on campaign-related issues and emerging topics.
• Work with the Research and Policy Director to identify and prioritize research and policy needs for campaigns and emerging issues in the field.
• Collaborate with the Communications Director to develop communications strategy as well as tools, resources, and materials in support of national campaigns, including but not limited to one-pagers, video content, and webinars.
• Represent FFJC at conferences, meetings, and legislative hearings, including making presentations, testifying, and sitting on panels, as needed.
• Partner with the Research and Policy team to track, analyze, and prioritize legislation that impacts national campaigns.
This role is full-time and remote within the continental United States. All FFJC staff work core hours from 12-4pm ET, Monday through Friday, with the remainder of working hours flexible according to the time zones in which they are located. The National Advocacy and Campaigns Director must be able to travel domestically up to 25% of the time and will occasionally need to work nights and weekends.
FFJC’s compensation philosophy is comprised of a 5-band salary structure. The National Advocacy and Campaigns Director is a band 4 position. The starting salary for the position is between $140,00 - $153,000 based on the qualifications of the candidate at the time of hire. The full salary range assigned for the position is $140,000 - $180,000 and has been determined based on a variety of factors including market competitiveness and the full package of benefits FFJC offers. FFJC offers excellent benefits including:
• 401(k) option with up to 6% employer contribution.
• Extremely generous employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
• Pre-tax transportation, dependent care, and flexible spending account benefits.
• Substantial paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, 4 floating holidays, 120 hours of vacation time, 96 hours of sick leave, and 24 hours of volunteer leave annually. FFJC also closes its office during the week of July 4th for all employees.
• Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 1 year of employment.
• Employees who work 6 consecutive years at FFJC receive an 8-week paid sabbatical in their sixth year.
The ideal candidate will be a committed advocate who understands how to drive policy change, brings significant experience in criminal and or economic justice reform, and enjoys managing a small team with outsize impact. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications list below, the strong candidates will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
• At least ten years of professional experience, including at least five years of experience in advocacy at the local, state, and/or federal level focused on criminal or economic justice reform.
• Experience with legislative advocacy, including drafting, analyzing, and commenting on legislation and developing related advocacy materials such as model bills and talking points.
• Experience managing other staff, supporting their development, and leading a team.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with people and organizations across the political spectrum to effect change.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate and gain the trust of professionals in multiple fields, community-based organizations, and people impacted by the criminal justice system.
• Self-motivation, excellent time management skills, and a high capacity to work independently, with the desire to collaborate in service of greater impact.
• Strategic, analytical thinker with a focus on finding solutions and the ability to adapt strategies and approaches to best advance campaign goals.
• Collegial and humble with a sense of humor!
FFJC encourages and welcomes those with personal experience of the impacts of the criminal legal system to apply for this role.
More information about the Fines & Fees Justice Center can be found at: finesandfeesjusticecenter.org
This search is being led by Julian Jackson and Eva Rosenberg of NPAG. Due to the pace of the search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.
The Fines & Fees Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer and will consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
FFJC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, FFJC will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations.
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