Director of Policy Implementation / Policy Implementation Associate, Education Rights Institute[...]

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible work options

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Virginia is seeking a collaborative attorney for the Education Rights Institute to enhance educational opportunities. This role includes engaging with school leaders and contributing to research and advocacy regarding legal protections against discrimination.

Successful candidates should have a J.D. and experience in law, with strong communication skills and a focus on mentorship. This is a full-time position based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with some remote work flexibility.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience applying legal principles to various legal matters.
• Experience with public speaking and engaging with diverse audiences.
• Experience working with educators and school district leaders.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on initiatives regarding Title VI protections.
• Prepare reports and written content related to education law.
• Mentor student research assistants and support fundraising efforts.

Skills

Legal research

Public speaking

Communication

Mentoring

Education

J.D. from an ABA-approved law school

Job description

The Education Rights Institute (ERI) at the University of Virginia School of Law seeks a dynamic and collaborative attorney to join their team. The Director of Policy Implementation or Policy Implementation Associate will work under the direction of and closely with the Institute’s Founder and Director, Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson.

Launched in 2023, ERI advances equal educational opportunity by engaging policymakers, K-12 educators, and families to support delivery of a high-quality public education in the United States. ERI accomplishes this goal by pursuing the following strategic priorities:

• Lead and amplify public discourse to advance a federal right to education and elevate the value of high-quality public schools for all.
• Expand district and educator capacity to interpret and implement protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Equip educators and district leaders to identify, measure, and close educational opportunity gaps along lines of class, race, and geography.
• Grow ERI’s impact by securing diverse funding streams and cultivating a coalition of students, families, educators, scholars, and donors that champion high-quality public schools.

The Institute does not represent individual clients in legal proceedings or sue anyone.

Responsibilities

Working with School Districts

• Collaborate with the ERI team to implement and serve as the lead contact for a new initiative to empower district and school leaders, educators, and staff to understand and improve implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other legal protections from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Participate during in‑person and online professional development opportunities for school districts around Title VI and other legal protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Attend conferences and meet regularly with policymakers, school district staff and leadership, educators, and families.

Research and Writing

• Share in writing and editing responsibilities for reports, editorials, and other written content regarding Title VI and other legal protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Share responsibility for writing webinar scripts and recording video and webinar content.

Mentorship

• Mentor ERI student research assistants.

Other Duties As Assigned

• All team members regularly pitch in to support fundraising; strategic planning; event planning; communications; and other areas of operations.

Additional Director Responsibilities

• Develop content and lead both in‑person and online professional development opportunities for school districts around Title VI and other laws that protect students from race, color, and national origin discrimination.
• Develop and implement a plan for engagement with other organizations and scholars regarding ERI’s mission.

Required Education and Experience (Director)

• Education: J.D. from an ABA‑approved law school or foreign equivalent.
• Three years of experience.
• Admission to a state bar by start date.

Preferred Experience (Director)

• Demonstrated experience applying legal principles to a variety of legal matters through legal research, analysis, and written and oral communication.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders.
• Experience with public speaking and giving presentations to small and large audiences.
• Experience engaging with donors / fundraising.

Required Education and Experience (Associate)

• Education: J.D. from an ABA‑approved law school or foreign equivalent.
• Experience: None required.

Preferred Experience (Associate)

• One or more years of demonstrated experience applying legal principles to a variety of legal matters through legal research, analysis, and written and oral communication strongly preferred.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders strongly preferred.
• Experience with public speaking and giving presentations to small and large audiences.
• Experience engaging with donors / fundraising.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs. This position will require the ability to travel domestically to partner with school districts, attend conferences, and collaborate with ERI partners.

This position requires most work to be performed in person at the Law School in Charlottesville, Virginia, with the opportunity to perform a limited amount of work remotely in accordance with Law School policy.

This is a gift‑funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. This is a full‑time, exempt‑level, University staff benefited position.

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non‑discrimination and equal opportunity employment.