Job title: Policy Director (Staff).
Office location: 1600 N. Downing St. Denver 80218.
Start date: 11-01-2023
Supervisors: CO-Executive Directors
Compensation: $55,000 – $65,000
Job Description
At the Denver Justice Project (DJP) our mission is to radically transform the criminal legal system through intersectional advocacy that fosters safe and healthy communities.
The Policy Director will serve as an informed, effective advocate for criminal justice reform and/or alternatives in Denver and Aurora/Adams County.
Duties include but are not limited to: monitor all proposed and pending municipal legislation and executive action in Denver and Aurora/Adams County concerning public safety, crime, policing, jails, criminal courts, homelessness, mental and behavioral health, and law enforcement oversight (through the Department of Public Safety, Office of the Independent Monitor, and Citizens Oversight Board). The Policy Director will report regularly to the co-Executive Directors on these matters and work closely with them to determine DJP’s policy positions and priorities in these issue areas.
The Policy Director will establish and maintain good working relationships with city council members in Denver and Aurora/Adams County particularly those assigned to relevant committees; and will collaborate with other like-minded local community groups on policy ideas to bring reform ideas to the city councils. The Policy Director will track the calendars, agendas, and meeting minutes for relevant policy committees and full council meetings to determine when to provide public comment and/or testimony. The Policy Director will monitor and attend town hall meetings or other events held by council members.
The Policy Director holds primary responsibility to monitor, attend, and report about these meetings and events to the CO-Executive Directors of DJP, as well as primary responsibility for testifying on bills, and drafting press releases, social media, and public comment on relevant policy priorities for the organization.
The Policy Director will closely monitor the Denver and Aurora/Adams County municipal elections. This includes, from the beginning of employment, the primary responsibility to research all candidates for Denver District Attorney and City Council in early 2024 and all candidates for the Aurora municipal election later in the 2023, and to report on those candidates’ policy positions regarding crime/public safety, policing, homelessness, and related issues. This will require close monitoring of news, social media, and attendance at campaign events, candidate forums, and town halls.
The Policy Director will establish a strong understanding of and relationship with the Office of the Independent Monitor and the Citizens Oversight Board; operations of municipal courts and jails within Denver and Aurora/Adams County, including the city attorneys’ and municipal public defenders’ offices, and any personnel within the Mayor’s offices and municipal Departments of Public Safety with oversight of policing and jailing in Denver and Aurora/Adams County.
The Policy Director will become familiar with and monitor the work of local and state criminal justice reform organizations and opposition stakeholder groups, including state and local law enforcement and victims’ rights advocates, and organizations, both statewide and local media reporters covering crime, courts, and public safety.
Additional Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Build relationships and strategically monitor the movement of City Council members, state legislatures and drafted legislation that relate to our mission.
Work with CO-Executive Directors to develop a plan and an execution strategy regarding policy, policy education, advocacy and implementation.
Participate in the distribution of relevant policy information and DJP related materials.
Develop a curriculum that can be used to educate DJP’s Board of Directors and its members on civics, civic engagement, and outcomes.
Work with CO-Executive Directors,Director of Communication on overall messaging.
Work with our community outreach coordinator regarding implementation and ground game for community mobilization around policy and political issues.
Bill tracking. (Bills we should oppose, Bills we should support, etc.).
Work with CO-Executive Directors to develop the stakeholder power map.
Our ideal team member will have excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills, but also the ability to manifest conventional and unconventional positive relationships with both appointed and elected officials, in addition to strategic community partners. Our choice candidate will also have the ability to work well under pressure and manage sensitive or controversial subjects with tact, kindness, and professionalism. Our Policy Director will work to deliver DJP’s mission and vision within the local sector and beyond.
We encourage individuals with lived experience with or have been impacted by the criminal legal system to apply.
To apply: Please fill out the for below.
Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2023. Interviews will take place the second week of October.