Montgomery Implementation Coordinator, Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, Washington, DC

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Apr 20, 2016, 10:48:37 PM4/20/16

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Job title: Montgomery Implementation Coordinator

Location: Washington, D.C.

Organization: Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY)

Due: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled

Position Available: Immediately

Background: The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) is a national coalition and clearinghouse that leads, coordinates, develops, and supports efforts to implement just alternatives to the extreme sentencing of America’s youth, with a focus on abolishing life-without-parole sentences for all youth. Our vision is to create a society that respects the dignity and human rights of all children through a justice system that operates with consideration of a child’s age, provides youth with opportunities to return to the community, and bars the imposition of life-without-parole sentences for people under age 18. The CFSY collaborates with advocates across the United States and in Washington, D.C., that use public education, advocacy, and litigation as strategies to pursue this goal, and endeavors to lead efforts from behind, supporting strategies developed by partners working on the state level. The CFSY’s small team works closely in a friendly, collaborative work environment.

Position Posting: Montgomery Implementation Coordinator

The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth seeks a tenacious, dedicated, creative individual to strategically inform Montgomery v. Louisiana implementation across the country, and coordinate among state partners working to ensure those eligible for relief have meaningful opportunities for release. Following the January 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Montgomery, over 1,000 individuals sentenced to life without parole as children are eligible for resentencing. The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth—driven by the Montgomery Implementation Coordinator—will serve as a national resource for Montgomery resentencing strategies.

The position will focus on attorney recruitment, strategy, training, and resentencing results tracking. The Montgomery Implementation Coordinator will work in close partnership with state-based advocates, defense attorneys, and law firms. Applicants should have demonstrated leadership skills, ability to think strategically, public speaking experience, and a knack for outreach, networking, organizing, and recruitment. The Montgomery Implementation Coordinator will be based in Washington, D.C. and is an 18-month grant-funded position with the possibility of extension if funding allows.

Duties will include:

· Identify, recruit, appropriately match, and train pro bono attorneys for resentencing representation in key states

· Develop state-specific pro bono representation plans based on state-specific attorney needs, including the capacity of state public defender offices and private bar expertise

· Serve as point-person for states most significantly impacted by Montgomery (Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Michigan) and assist partners in developing and implementing media, legislative, and litigation strategies to ensure meaningful implementation of Montgomery

· Create forums for state partners implementing Miller, Montgomery, and JLWOP-related legislation to share best practices and strategize together

· Identify challenges common to multiple state partners implementing Miller, Montgomery, and JLWOP-related legislation and develop strategies to address them

· Partner with state advocates to develop training curriculum for attorneys handling resentencings

· Track and analyze post-Miller and -Montgomery resentencing results around the country

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree required; law degree preferred; individuals with other relevant professional experience will be considered

· 1-2 years of relevant experience in the criminal or juvenile justice field

· Ability to work as a member the CFSY’s legal team and collaborate with advocates in the field and law firm pro bono attorneys

· Strategic-thinker who can identify common challenges in the field and problem solve with partners to address them

· Quick learner with strong organizational skills and attention to detail

· Demonstrated ability to bring people together to collectively build strategies

· Experience with public speaking and/or conducting trainings

· Tenacious self-starter who will take initiative and follow through on assignments independently, amidst competing priorities

· Strong written and oral communication skills

· Passion to end to life sentences for children in the United States

Compensation:

The CFSY offers a competitive salary for this position, as well as a generous benefits package, including employer-paid premiums for a platinum individual health insurance plan, life and disability insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

To apply:

Email in a single attachment: a letter of interest, resume, names of and contact information for at least three references, and a brief, unedited writing sample to jo...@fairsentencingofyouth.org. PDF format preferred. Use “Montgomery Implementation Coordinator” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applications will be received on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. No phone calls please.

People of color, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and those with personal experience in the juvenile or criminal justice systems are strongly encouraged to apply.