Opportunities

 

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is an innovative, widely replicated alternative to jail and prosecution for people who commit law violations or engage in problematic behavior due to behavioral health conditions and/or extreme poverty. LEAD was launched in Seattle in 2011 and now is established in nearly 20 jurisdictions nationally, with many more jurisdiction in various stages of LEAD design and implementation work.

The Public Defender Association (PDA), the project manager of LEAD in Seattle/King County, is a non-profit organization that advocates for justice system reform and develops alternatives that shift from a punishment paradigm to a system that supports individual and community health. We also provide technical assistance to community partners who are committed to these goals.

We advance justice system reform and alternative practices and policy through several core programs and policy initiatives, including: 

• Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD):   Under LEAD, police officers exercise discretionary authority at the point of contact to divert individuals to a community-based intervention program for low-level criminal offenses (such as drug possession, sales, and prostitution offenses). PDA is the project manager for the flagship LEAD program in Seattle-King County, and provides technical support for jurisdictions nationally and internationally that want to replicate LEAD through our LEAD National Support Bureau.

• Voices of Community Activists and Leaders - Washington (VOCAL-WA): VOCAL-WA builds power among low- and no- income people directly affected by the war on drugs, homelessness, mass incarceration, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic to create healthy and just communities for all.

• Transforming Policy:  The Public Defender Association’s Racial Disparity Project (RDP) worked to improve police accountability and reconsider the role of the police since its inception in 1998. PDA staff have chaired Seattle's innovative Community Police Commission since it was launched in 2013; work in partnership with law enforcement agencies as they innovate and transform; advocate for the reform of Washington's deadly force laws; and represent families of individuals killed in police custody or jail.

• System Reform:  In the spirit of our four decade history as a public defense office committed to system reform, the current incarnation of the Public Defender Association continues to do policy advocacy, litigation, public education and organizing on issues that systemically affect people who are or are likely to be engaged by the justice system. This work includes efforts such as the campaign for safe consumption spaces in Seattle/King County.

Project Manager positions are FLSA-exempt. Work outside of normal business hours is expected. Travel throughout King County and Seattle will be required, and some travel outside King County may be required. This Project Manager position will report directly to LEAD Seattle-King County Project Director, Tara Moss, and would work under the overall guidance of PDA Director, Lisa Daugaard.

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, LEAD's core principles
• Knowledge of the Burien and White Center communities
• Ability to clearly communicate core principles and support and advise others with less experience in harm reduction-based social work and in police-social work partnership
• Deep understanding of substance use disorder, motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies
• Experience facilitating meetings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated individual who has strong interpersonal, public speaking and problem-solving skills; interest in working as a member of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is essential
• Candidates must have demonstrated interest in criminal justice, homelessness, and/or drug policy reform and a willingness to approach these issues with a racial justice analysis
• Experience and knowledge of local homeless services and housing systems is preferred
• Experience or familiarity with community and human services dynamics and public safety/order issues in South King County communities is valuable in this position
• Commitment to the mission and approach of the Public Defender Association
• Basic computer skills, including ability to use the internet, email (Google platforms as used at PDA), word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word) and spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) are required

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legislative Campaign Coordinator - Civil Survival Project

 

The Public Defender Association (PDA) is a non-profit corporation which advocates for justice system reform and develops alternatives that shift from a punishment paradigm to a system that supports individual and community health. We also provide technical assistance to community partners who are committed to these goals. We advance justice system reform and alternative practices and policy through several core programs and policy initiatives, including: 

 

• Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD):   Under LEAD, police officers exercise discretionary authority at the point of contact to divert individuals to a community-based intervention program for low-level criminal offenses (such as drug possession, sales, and prostitution offenses) in lieu of jail booking and prosecution; long term care and coordination is provided to minimize future justice system involvement, all in harm reduction framework.  PDA is the project manager for the flagship local LEAD program and provides technical support for jurisdictions replicating LEAD nationally and internationally through our LEAD National Support Bureau.

 

• Voices of Community Activists and Leaders - Washington (VOCAL-WA): VOCAL-WA, affiliated with VOCAL-NY, builds power among low- and no- income people directly affected by the war on drugs, homelessness, mass incarceration, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic to create healthy and just communities for all. 

 

• Transforming Policy:  The Public Defender Association’s Racial Disparity Project (RDP) has worked to improve police accountability and reconsider the role of the police since its inception in 1998, and worked to reform Washington's deadly force laws, including with technical support for the implementation of I940/De-Escalate WA, passed by Washington voters in 2018.

 

• System Reform:  In the spirit of our four decade history as a public defense office committed to system reform, the current incarnation of the Public Defender Association continues to do policy advocacy, litigation, public education and organizing on issues that systemically affect people who are or are likely to be engaged by the justice system. This work includes efforts such as drug user health and supervised consumption campaigns, work on pre-trial release, and work to advance justice reinvestment, moving funding from institution-based investments to community-based care, in Seattle/King County and around Washington state. 

 

• Civil Survival Project: Civil Survival Project organizes people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to build connections, gain knowledge and increase political participation.  Civil Survival provides leadership development, legal education and services, and legislative advocacy on systemic issues that prevent former justice-involved individuals the opportunity to fully reintegrate.

 

• Community Justice Project: The Community Justice Project aims to reduce harm caused by violence and mass incarceration by building effective, trauma-informed healing responses that reflect restorative justice principles.  We strive to empower the most impacted and marginalized communities by investing in the leadership of both crime survivors and incarcerated individuals to drive this work.  Unlike the traditional victim advocacy model, we are investing in the leadership of survivors and people directly impacted.

 

 

PDA seeks a talented individual experienced coordinating campaigns for legislative change as part of a small, but dynamic team.  The ideal candidate will have significant and recent experience with communications, including digital marketing tools, to further the legislative agenda of the Civil Survival Project.  Under the supervision of the program director, the coordinator will work with the community organizer, consultants (media and tech), allied organizations, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a campaign to achieve legislative action reducing stigma and legal barriers associated with the criminal conviction.  The coordinator will join our small, but dynamic team and utilize their administrative, communications, and legislative experience to complete a team of passionate staff members committed to empowerment and civic engagement among Civil Survival members, and other leaders impacted by the criminal legal system.

 

Job activities are varied and may include: development and implementation of educational and social media campaign materials; communications and media outreach; creation of advocacy materials, event coordination, monitoring the implementation of legislation, reports to the public disclosure commission, and data collection and analysis.  Some administrative tasks (e.g. phone calls, data entry) are assigned as needed.  Other duties as assigned.

 

The legislative campaign coordinator will work in collaboration with other PDA staff and will report to the Civil Survival Project Director. 

 

The position is funded by grant revenue the continuation of which, beyond the initial year, is not guaranteed.  Continuation in the position will depend both on strong performance and on whether revenue to support the position is sustained.

 

 

• Issue Identification and Campaign Development: Work with the Program Director and Community Organizer to assist members in identifying advocacy issues, developing advocacy

• Communications: Lead communications for the Civil Survival Project including branding, messaging, graphic design, content development, and use of digital marketing tools including

• Administration: Coordinate logistics for Civil Survival events including lobby days, leadership development trainings, and other events as planned.

• Reporting: Support staff to understand how to track lobbying hours and make regular reports to the Public Disclosure Commission.

• Database: Record and input data into our community organizing databases.

• Support: The position will also be expected to provide support for other community organizing and campaigns around criminal justice reform, as needed. We have a highly

 

 

People who have past involvement with the justice system, criminal conviction history,  a history of substance use, sex workers, people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C, or people who have experienced housing insecurity or homelessness will have particularly relevant experience and are encouraged to apply.  People with disabilities, people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities are also strongly encouraged to apply.

 

This is a new position with the organization and we are seeking an energetic, creative, self-motivated individual who can manage multiple roles with extremely strong organization skills.

 

• Commitment to the mission of the Public Defender Association;

• Commitment to the mission of the Civil Survival Project;

• Superior organization skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time; must be self-motivated and be able to work both independently and as part of multiple teams;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

• Experience with branding and messaging;

• Experience executing social media campaigns and event promotion (including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter);

• Experience utilizing innovative digital marketing tools;

• Background in event planning and support is a plus;

• The ideal candidate will be an energetic, self-motivated individual who has strong interpersonal and problem solving skills. Interest in working as a member of a team and in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is essential;

• Candidates must demonstrate interest in criminal justice, homelessness, and/or drug policy reform and a willingness to approach these issues through a racial justice analysis, and with a commitment to harm reduction principles.

• Candidates must have at least two years of recent experience in communications - campaign experience is a plus;

• Basic computer skills, including ability to use the internet, email, word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word) and spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) programs are required

 

 

The salary will range from $49,440 to $57,315 depending on experience.  The Public Defender Association offers a generous benefits package.

 

 

The Public Defender Association is an equal opportunity employer. People with disabilities, people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

 

Please send a cover letter and résumé to Turina James, turina.james@defender.org. In the subject line, please put “Campaign Coordinator [Your Name]”. No phone calls please.