Policy & Research Deputy Director

Summary

The Policy & Research Deputy Director will play a pivotal role in advancing the growth of FFJC’s think-tank capacity. Reporting to the Policy & Research Director, the Deputy will be a key partner in developing talent on the Policy & Research team, helping to set the organization’s research agenda, and ensuring that the culture of learning and collaboration within the organization continues to thrive.

The Deputy Director will supervise several members of the Policy & Research team and play a significant role in the administration of the team. The Deputy will also serve as a thought-partner to the Director, helping identify and leverage new opportunities for research and policy analysis, while also owning a portfolio of substantive projects.

The ideal candidate brings substantial experience leading a multi-disciplinary team of seasoned professionals, with a deep interest in developing their growth and success, both individually and collectively. To excel in the position, it will also be critical for the successful candidate to be experienced with data analysis, have familiarity with scholarly research and its methods, understand the fiscal concerns and impacts of criminal justice reform, and be able to translate complex information into materials for non-expert advocates and policymakers.

About FFJC

Nearly every interaction a person has with the justice system, regardless of guilt or innocence, comes with a bill. But for those without the means to immediately pay up or fight back, one missed payment opens the door to dire, lifelong consequences.

The Fines and Fees Justice Center was founded to end the immoral practice of governments’ using fines and fees to profit off the most vulnerable. We empower state and local efforts to end fees in the justice system and ensure that fines are fair and equitably imposed.

FFJC has led or actively supported more than 70 successful legislative reforms across the country, authored two dozen original research and policy reports, and partnered with more than 300 organizations to advance the national fines and fees reform movement.

Specifically, the Policy & Research division within FFJC functions as the organization’s “think tank.” The team is responsible for conducting unique research on fines and fees, assessing policy impacts, and evaluating reform efforts. It also collects, analyzes, and synthesizes research and policy reports produced by scholars and other organizations; develops tools and information useful to decisionmakers in the field; monitors and assesses trends in laws, procedures, and reforms related to fines and fees; identifies opportunities for and challenges to the organization’s mission; develops policy guidance on fine and fee issues that can inform reform efforts; and provides direct technical assistance to advocates, policymakers, or any stakeholder seeking fine and fee reform in their jurisdictions.

Job Responsibilities and Opportunities

The candidate who fills this positions will:

• Supervise several members of the Policy & Research team, supporting their substantive work, facilitating their professional growth, and ensuring that they feel capable of succeeding in their respective roles.
• Drive the team’s operational performance through management of key team functions – including but not limited to project management of team deliverables and team budget administration and expenditure approvals – while also ensuring fidelity to internal administrative and organizational procedures.
• Work with the Director to foster a culture of ongoing learning within the Policy & Research team and across the organization.
• Manage high-level and complex projects, while also identifying and crafting new project ideas for themselves and other team members.
• Co-develop tools, research projects, policy guidance, talking points, or other resources aimed at advancing knowledge and advocacy in the fine and fee space while maintaining a strong, nuanced, and organizationally-informed approach to their work. This often includes partnerships with other FFJC departments or external partners.
• Advise the Policy & Research Director on substantive project needs and aid in the ongoing evolution of the organization’s research agenda and the team’s strategic plan.
• Independently hold key high-touch relationships with external researchers, advocates, and justice-system stakeholders to help drive a complex body of work.
• Provide high-quality and responsive technical assistance to stakeholders seeking resources, tools, and information to better understand the impact of or practices surrounding justice system fines and fees and how to reform harmful practices.
• Represent FFJC and the work of the Policy & Research team at conferences and meetings as needed, both virtually and in-person.
• Occasionally engage with reporters or other media on issues related to the Deputy’s scope of work.

This role is full-time and remote within the continental United States. All FFJC staff work core hours from 12-4pm ET, Monday through Friday, with the remainder of working hours flexible according to the time zones in which they are located and as agreed with their direct supervisors. This position must be able to travel domestically for in-person meetings and national gatherings, including two mandatory staff retreats each year. All positions are required to understand and implement FFJC’s Administrative policies.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• At least five years of professional experience in public policy research, analysis, or formulation at the local, state or federal level, including experience with goal-oriented research projects, data analysis, and/or legal analysis, preferably within criminal legal or justice system reform spaces.
• A master's degree in public policy or related field, or a JD, or two extra years of direct relevant experience as a substitute for an advanced degree;
• At least three years of experience supervising other professionals, with a desire and demonstrable ability to mentor staff and help promote their success;
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods and the ability to read and interpret scholarly research;
• Experience with data analysis and a demonstrated ability to translate numbers into actionable policy or advocacy messaging;
• A familiarity with criminal justice processes, including experience with legal research and statutory interpretation;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write clear, compelling copy on deadline and a demonstrated ability to provide feedback on others’ written work;
• An ability to work collaboratively and flexibly in a fast-paced, evidence-based environment; and
• A demonstrable ability to balance the rigors and nuance of research with its practical application for use with advocates, decision makers, or general non-expert audiences.

Though not required for the position, a candidate who can demonstrate the following may have a stronger application:

• Prior project management experience;
• Prior experience working on justice-related fine and fee issues;
• Familiarity with public finance, governmental budgeting, or factors affecting community economics and mobility;
• Experience in not-for-profit organizations; or
• Previous experience working with marginalized communities or with movements for social change.

FFJC encourages and welcomes those who have personal experience with the impacts of the criminal legal system, or the social systems connected to poverty or debt relief, to apply for this role.

Compensation and Benefits

FFJC’s compensation philosophy consists of a 5-band salary structure. The Deputy Director is a band 3 position. The starting salary for the position is between $110,000 - $120,000 based on the qualifications of the candidate at the time of hire. FFJC offers excellent benefits including:

• 401(k) option with up to 6% employer contribution;
• Extremely generous employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families;
• Pre-tax transportation, dependent care, and flexible spending account benefits;
• Substantial paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, 4 floating holidays, 120 hours of vacation time, 96 hours of sick leave, and 24 hours of volunteer leave annually. FFJC also closes its office during the week of July 4th for all employees;
• Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 1 year of employment;
• Employees who work 4 consecutive years at FFJC receive an additional week of paid vacation annually starting in their fifth year; and
• Employees who work 6 consecutive years at FFJC receive an 8-week paid sabbatical in their seventh year.