Policy Director

DC Justice Lab; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative organization is seeking a Policy Director to drive evidence-based changes in the District's criminal legal system. This role involves forging strong community relationships, leading advocacy campaigns, and ensuring that policy initiatives are racially just and community-rooted. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in litigation or policy work, exceptional analytical and communication skills, and a commitment to social justice. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to transforming public safety in the District and making a national impact in justice reform.

Benefits

Retirement fund contributions

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Self-managed PTO

Paid holidays

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in litigation or policy-related work, preferably in D.C.
• Exceptional skills in research, writing, and advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee advocacy campaigns for a safer, freer, and more equal D.C.
• Lead efforts to protect local autonomy and engage with community members.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Research Skills

Writing Skills

Oral Advocacy

Community Engagement

Policy Analysis

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

DC Justice Lab is a team of law and policy experts researching, organizing, and advocating for large-scale changes to the District of Columbia’s criminal legal system. We develop smarter safety solutions that are evidence-driven, community-rooted, and racially just. We aim to fully transform the District’s approach to public safety and make it a national leader in justice reform.

JOB SUMMARY

The Policy Director is in charge of ensuring the organization’s proposed changes in law and policy are evidence-driven, community-rooted, and racially just. To that end, they forge strong, longstanding, and broad relationships with the D.C. community in coalition with other advocates and deeper relationships with people who are directly affected by criminal laws. They understand the interconnected landscape of laws in the District of Columbia. They embody the principles of a zealous movement lawyer, especially taking direction from directly-impacted communities and from organizers, to cultivate the power of the people.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversee advocacy campaigns aimed at making the District of Columbia safer, freer, and more equal;
2. Lead the organization’s work to protect and strengthen local autonomy;
3. Work collaboratively with justice-impacted community members to understand and identify key policy issues;
4. Plan and implement signature training programs for community members and aspiring movement lawyers;
5. Identify and maintain strategic partnerships;
6. Provide ongoing thought leadership and speak on the organization’s behalf at convenings and in media interviews.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Juris Doctor;
2. At least 10 years of experience in litigation, legislative, or policy-related work, preferably in the District of Columbia;
3. Exceptional analytical, research, writing and oral advocacy skills, as well as the ability to articulate legal concepts and complex issues and communicate them tactfully and effectively to a variety of audiences;
4. Strong track record of advancing social justice and an understanding of how race and socioeconomic status shape experiences with the District’s criminal legal system;
5. Understanding of D.C.’s lawmaking process and its unique vulnerability to federal interference;
6. Commitment to the highest ethical standards of lobbying and professionalism;
7. Experience engaging with consultants, team building, and contributing to the development of a positive organizational culture;
8. Agility and ability to quickly course-correct in changing or complicated political environments and communities, both internally and externally.

SALARY + BENEFITS

The Policy Director role is a salaried position. The incumbent will earn between $115,000 and $135,000, commensurate with experience. DC Justice Lab’s benefits package includes retirement fund contributions, as well as medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Employees enjoy a host of other perks, including self-managed PTO and more than a dozen paid holidays off.

REMOTE FIRST ORGANIZATION

DC Justice Lab is a remote-first organization, but the Policy Director must live in the DC area (the District of Columbia, adjacent Maryland counties, or Northern Virginia) and be able to work from our office semi-regularly.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

DC Justice Lab is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.