Program Assistant, Alternatives to Policing / Justice Reform / Community Responders

Job Summary

The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) is seeking a dedicated and motivated full-time Program Assistant to enhance our Community Responder team’s capacity. This role is pivotal in helping cities send the right responders to 9-1-1 calls in order to address the root causes of crime, prevent negative police interactions, and remove responsibilities from the plate of the police. The Program Assistant will work remotely, engaging with city stakeholders across the country to build and expand community responder programs.

About Us: The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) is a national nonprofit network of police, judges, and prosecutors who advocate publicly for ending the War on Drugs, investing in community-based alternatives to incarceration, and ensuring police accountability. Since 2020, LEAP has advised cities around the country on how to send trained civilian teams to many low-risk 911 calls rather than armed police – see our original Community Responder report, as well as our Evanston program design and our dispatch and liability reports.

LEAP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to promoting fairness in the hiring process. We support Second-Chance Hiring and Fair Chance Act legislation, and we strongly encourage formerly incarcerated and other justice-impacted individuals to apply.

Qualifications

• Commitment to Justice: Strong dedication to racial justice, drug policy reform, and criminal justice reform.
• Remote Work Capacity: Proven ability to work independently from a remote location with minimal supervision.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks.
• Writing Proficiency: Strong writing skills for outreach and communication with various stakeholders, including city officials, data experts, and community members.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences, demonstrating professionalism and empathy in all interactions.
• Personal or Professional Lived Experience: Direct personal or professional experience with the criminal justice system is a plus. Personal experience includes being a crime survivor or directly impacted by incarceration, as well as having a close family member who is a crime survivor or directly impacted by incarceration.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Self-motivate and remain organized in a fast-paced remote working environment. Track and manage notes, contacts, and next steps for multiple, concurrent projects across numerous cities.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct phone interviews and perform online research to gather information on existing community programs, focusing on aspects such as operating agency, dispatch methods, call types, and funding sources.
• 911 Call Review: Analyze 911 call narratives to identify categories relevant to community responder initiatives, contributing to the development of tailored programs.
• Communication: Professionally engage with a diverse range of stakeholders – including city leaders, local activists, and law enforcement – through persuasive email outreach.
• Logistical Coordination: Arrange logistics for Zoom meetings and presentations, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration among team members and external partners.
• Teamwork: Function effectively as part of the Community Responder team, assisting colleagues as needed and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Utilize computer applications effectively, including: creating and editing Google Docs, managing data in Google Sheets, scheduling meetings on Google Calendar, and using and updating Airtable databases.
• Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned by the Program Director, including support for LEAP’s state and federal reform advocacy efforts.
• Note: this responsibilities list is not all-inclusive; it is intended to serve as a guide. The Program Director retains the right to assign other tasks and determine changes to job responsibilities.

Education and Experience Requirements

LEAP focuses on abilities and growth potential rather than formal education credentials. Applicants will be given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities in the course of the application process.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of working on a computer, requiring visual acuity and manual dexterity.