Job Description

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think-tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.     

The Brennan Center’s Justice Program aims to present an affirmative vision of what a fairer, more humane, and more effective justice system could look like. We do this work through attempting to change public narratives around crime and public safety; examining and addressing racial and economic inequities; and attempting to improve the conditions of people who work and live in prison to produce better life outcomes, safeguard human rights, and ultimately promote safer communities.

Position Overview: 
The Justice Program seeks an energetic, motivated, well-organized individual who will provide administrative support and research assistance to the Program Director and Justice Program team staff. The Special Assistant will report to the Justice Program Director and will work closely with the Director in all aspects of her role. The Special Assistant will play a central role in the daily responsibilities of the Director and the program. The role provides an even split between administrative work and research and writing. 

The ideal candidate is an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, considering a career in law, public policy, or social justice advocacy and looking to develop critical organizational skills, analytical ability, attention to detail, and experience with research and writing. This is a terrific opportunity for someone 1-3 years out of college interested in learning about law, policy, nonprofit leadership, and organizational planning.

Note: This position is based at our headquarters in New York City. 

Responsibilities: 

• Supporting and working closely with the Director, providing substantive and administrative support on all aspects of program management.  

• Managing the Director’s schedule and travel arrangements.  

• Providing general administrative support, including drafting correspondence, answering and screening telephone calls and email, managing expense forms for the program and specific staff members, scheduling meetings between departments and programs, assisting with contract management systems, and ensuring requests to the Director are appropriately handled in a timely and professional manner. 

• Providing research, drafting, editing, and proofreading for Justice Program internal and external work-product, including public presentations, op-eds, articles, reports, and other writings. Completing time-sensitive research or other requests as they arise.  

• Providing research, fact-checking, drafting, and editing justice program work products. 

• Providing quick and accurate research to support program responses to breaking news. 

• Assisting with fundraising and managing significant program coordination such as organizing program meetings, events, and monitoring all departmental expenditures, in addition to working with staff from other departments.  

Experience and Qualifications:  

• A bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of work experience. 

• A passion to make the criminal justice system more fair, equitable, and more accountable. 

• A high-level of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and judgment. 

• Superb writing, communication, and research skills.  

• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, keen attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.  

• Openness to evolving responsibilities, self-reliance, ability to take initiative, and excellent inter-personal skills.  

• Proficiency in MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Proficiency in Salesforce is a plus.  

• A willingness to work overtime hours to meet important deadlines or complete urgent projects.  

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application. 

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role. 

Position Start Date: Summer 2025 

 
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is identified.  

Application Instructions 
To apply, visit <> and  upload (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) one writing sample (up to 10 pages and ideally one that demonstrates your analytical abilities), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references. Please include all work experience on your resume, even if it isn’t relevant to this position (i.e., cashier, host, etc.). If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.  

Please, no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “Special Assistant, Justice Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system. 

Compensation and Benefits: 
The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback. 

This is a scaled position. The salary assigned for the scale is $56,000 - $69,500. Additionally, we offer a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks. 

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320. 

Note:  The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors.  As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption​​ 

The Brennan Center for Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, Summer work, Local area, Immediate start, Afternoon shift,

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