Saturday, September 08, 2007

Job Vacancy


FamilyLifeCenter
841 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02907
(401) 781.5808 www.ri-familylifecenter.org

Job Posting: Policy Director, RI Family Life Center

Background:

The Rhode Island Family Life Center was born from a coalition of community-based organizations, churches, and corrections officials uniting to address the disproportionate impact of incarceration on neighborhoods in Providence. The FLC exists to support and advocate for the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals returning to Rhode Island’s communities—by preparing inmates for release, providing strong support during the post-release period, and assisting families of offenders returning home through support and counseling that builds on individual and family strengths. In addition to providing direct service, FLC works to change laws and policies that discriminate against the formerly incarcerated and their families in areas such as housing, employment, government benefits, or political participation. With its dual goals of service and advocacy, the Family Life Center works to assist ex-offenders with their current needs while working towards a world where individuals with criminal records are given the same opportunities to participate and achieve as everyone else.

The Family Life Center has achieved considerable success with its research and advocacy work, including a series of reports and successful policy campaigns which have gained local and national recognition. In the fall of 2006, the FLC ran the Rhode Island Right to Vote campaign, which spearheaded the successful passage of a constitutional referendum to return the right to vote to people on probation and parole. Most recently, the FLC helped to organize the Reinvest in Justice campaign, which advocated for several criminal justice reforms, including mandatory minimum drug sentencing repeal, court fine reform, prostitution reform, and probation reform. The FLC has a staff that is experienced in community organizing and education and has led several successful advocacy campaigns. With strong relationships to formerly incarcerated individuals, access to criminal justice data, and a history of collaboration with leaders at the city, state, and community level, the FLC is a leader in criminal justice policy in the state.

Job Description:

The Policy Director will provide critical leadership, vision, and organization to the Family Life Center. The Director will work closely with Policy staff, consisting of one to two part-time researchers and three part-time outreach workers, and will be immediately supervised by the Executive Director.

The Director will direct the planning and implementing of the Family Life Center policy agenda and will have the opportunity to help lead Rhode Island towards a more just criminal justice system. The Director will oversee and conduct research about criminal justice policy and reentry, including interviews and focus groups with impacted individuals, legal analysis, data analysis, and writing of reports. Research topics include recidivism analysis, prostitution policy and reform, probation and technical violations, substance abuse treatment and sentencing reform, and employment discrimination against people with criminal records.

The Director will oversee public education and advocacy around the policy agenda. This work will include educational presentations and forums with community and policy-makers, organizing public events and advocacy campaigns, and writing op-eds and other media outreach. The Director will oversee the continued development of a discussion group and speaker's bureau that fosters grassroots involvement as well as an advisory committee of community leaders that can offer professional guidance.

The position is a full-time position starting in November 2007 and ending in November 2008, with the potential for continuation.

Major Qualifications:

--At least three years experience doing research or advocacy in a related field.
--A real commitment to social justice issues and working to improve the criminal justice system, and deep personal belief in the importance of grassroots organizing and working with populations that have been affected by the criminal justice process.
--Graduate degree in a related field or J.D.
--Experienced with process of state politics; ideally familiar with Rhode Island political system. Responsibilities will include forming relationships with legislators and other policy-makers.
--Experience organizing, including doing community and media outreach. Responsibilities will include collaborating with other organizations, agencies and churches.
--Experience working with a diverse array of people. The Director will need to outreach and coordinate with the community affected by FLC work, including formerly incarcerated individuals, low-income communities, and African-American and latino communities.
--Skilled manager with the proven ability to organize and lead with vision, enthusiasm, and productive critique.

Other Qualifications:

--Excellent interpersonal communication skills and proven ability to easily and quickly build and maintain productive relationships with individuals in neighborhood, business, faith, and government settings.
--Background in statistics is an advantage, but not required.
--Reliable access to car and ability to travel within Rhode Island as needed.
--Excellent writing skills.
--Proficiency with Windows XP and Microsoft Office (including PowerPoint and Excel).
--Ability to speak Spanish is an advantage, but not required. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary: $50,000-56,000 depending on experience, plus full benefits

To Apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, three to five page writing sample on a relevant topic,
and three references (1 personal, 2 professional) to Ronn Fortes by October 1st :

Ronn Fortes
Executive Assistant, Rhode Island Family Life Center
841 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02907
ronnfortes@ri-familylifecenter.org
Phone: (401) 781-5808 x101 Fax: (401) 781-5361

Learn more about the RI Family Life Center at www.riflc.org.

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