17 Mar Strategic Initiatives Fellow

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About Us

Civil Rights Corps is an innovative non-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C.  Founded in 2016, CRC challenges wealth-based and race-based systems of oppression. CRC has  won groundbreaking litigation challenging the rise of debtors’ prisons, abusive private probation  schemes, and wealth-based pre-trial detention. CRC works closely with community and  movement partners and is committed to fundamentally changing our country’s approach to the  criminal system. Our staff is comprised of passionate and dedicated advocates who seek to fight  inequality and protect the rights of the most underrepresented, impoverished, and marginalized  members of our society. Employees at Civil Rights Corps possess a profound commitment to  serving social justice and fighting inequality in all of its forms, and they approach their work with  urgency. Learn more at www.civilrightscorps.org.  

 

Job Description 

Civil Rights Corps is seeking two Fellows to join the newly formed Department of Strategic  Initiatives. Fellows will be expected to work in the role for two years. The Fellows will work closely  with Director of Strategic Initiatives Elizabeth Rossi, and CRC Founder Alec Karakatsanis, as well  as other CRC staff, on a variety of innovative initiatives. A few examples include: new narrative  and litigation projects relating to family separation and family policing, an expanded portfolio of  journalism and media interventions, and accountability work in Maryland and elsewhere.  However, this is not a closed list, and the Department is continuing to explore new issues and  new strategies for intervention. Strategic Initiatives Fellows will also work collaboratively with  case teams in support of complex civil rights litigation in federal and state courts. They will be a  crucial part of CRC’s efforts to continue innovating new ways to challenge mass human caging  and other injustices within the legal system. This is an entry-level, two-year position at CRC. 

 

Job duties include

  • Conducting analyses of facts, records, and data as well as working with attorneys and  other investigators to integrate this information into externally shared work product; 
  • Working collaboratively with teams on investigations by: conducting research;  on-the-ground investigation; interviewing witnesses and clients, and performing other  tasks related to fact development; 
  • Providing project management support by: managing and organizing tasks; sharing  information gleaned from investigations in both writing and orally; proposing and executing next steps to advance projects; tracking steps taken and work generated;  organizing large amounts of information.
  • Providing litigation support by: proofreading and cite-checking briefs; filing pleadings;  managing litigation calendars and case files; submitting records requests and reviewing  subsequent responses; assisting with discovery review and production; organizing large  quantities of documents by creating summaries, charts, or data analysis; and a variety of  other case support duties; 
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with clients, witnesses, community partners, organizers, coalition members, and legal allies. 

Some travel will be required, consistent with project needs. 

 

Qualifications

The ideal Strategic Initiatives Fellow is passionate about social justice, hard-working, a fast  learner, proactive, able to juggle multiple tasks, and able to work well in a collaborative  environment. This is an entry-level position. Specific qualifications we are looking for include: 

  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission, purpose, and values of CRC, including an  unwillingness to accept things as they are; 
  • Demonstrated ability to work well in teams;  
  • Highly organized and a self-starter, with a diligent work ethic; 
  • Ability to understand and navigate issues of identity, power and privilege with clients,  partners, and colleagues; 
  • Experience working with disenfranchised communities and/or those directly impacted  by the criminal legal system; 
  • Care and respect for people who are system-involved; 
  • Proven ability to take initiative, establish priorities, work independently, self-motivate,  and achieve objectives with minimal supervision; 
  • Strong analytical, writing, and research skills;  
  • Comfort with data management systems, particularly Everlaw and Relativity, is a plus;

 

Salary, Benefits, and Logistics

This is a full-time position beginning as soon as possible. Preference will be given to candidates  based in or willing to relocate to Washington, D.C., but remote candidates will be considered.  Travel to DC for in-person meetings at least monthly will be required (at CRC’s expense). The  Strategic Initiatives Fellows will receive excellent benefits, including full health care coverage,  generous retirement benefits, unlimited paid time off, public transportation, and relocation benefits. United Civil Rights Workers, the CRC union, represents this position. The position will be paid a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The beginning  salary for this position is $51,000. The position is also eligible for overtime pay.  

 

Application Requirements 

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of three  references to Civil Rights Corps. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; we guarantee  consideration for applications received by April 10, 2023. Materials should be addressed to  jobs@civilrightscorps.org. Please include your name and “Strategic Initiatives Fellow” in the  subject line. 

 

Civil Rights Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We greatly value a diverse  workforce and management team and an inclusive culture. Civil Rights Corps is  committed to promoting an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its clients and staff.