Policy Associate

The Center for Family Representation Inc. (CFR) is an award-winning, innovative law and policy organization that serves primarily Black and Brown families and youth in Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island with an interdisciplinary legal defense model that serves more than 2400 clients every year. CFR was originally founded in 2002 to dramatically change the trajectory of indigent parents being prosecuted by the City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Our goal is to defend and protect our clients’ rights, reduce the harm of family separation and prevent or minimize the time any child spends in the foster system.

The Policy Associate will serve on CFR’s interdisciplinary policy team, working to advance anti-racist policies that seek to eliminate or reduce the harms of the family policing, adult and youth incarceration, immigration, and housing systems. This position will have a family defense focus, but may also involve work in our other practice areas. The Policy Associate will be responsible for contributing to policy initiatives and projects as well as cultivating and maintaining CFR’s work with elected officials. This person will collaborate with the entire policy team to develop and further CFR’s policy priorities. They will help coordinate and support the activities of CFR’s External Engagement Team (EET) and other ad hoc policy projects that involve staff at all levels and participate in coalitions of advocates and impacted communities. This position is full time and will be supervised by the Supervising Attorney of Policy and Early Defense.

Specific Responsibilities will include:

• Collaborate in the development of policy priorities that amplify the voices and choices of impacted parents, youth, and families
• Develop expertise in assigned policy areas and help design campaigns to advance policy initiatives, both at CFR and in coalition with community partners.
• Identify and monitor legislation that impacts any of CFR’s practice areas: family defense, youth defense, criminal, housing, public benefits, and immigration at the city, state, and federal level. Act as a point of contact for legislative staff of City and State officials, coalition partners, and legislative and policy staff for other institutional providers.
• Participate in legislative and policy coalitions and act as a liaison to the policy team to ensure that the work of those groups is supported by and integrated with CFR’s policy work.
• Coordinate and/or draft CFR writing on legislation (drafting memos in support or opposition, legislative language, testimony on legislation, etc.). Involve interested staff when available and appropriate. Depending on the issue, this work will involve the Executive Director, the Supervisor of Government and Community Affairs, the Development and Communications team, and/or work with reporters and media outlets.
• Advocate for CFR’s policy priorities by testifying at City Council and State hearings, presenting during meetings with elected officials, and community meetings and external and internal presentations, including to EET and staff training. 
• Assist with facilitation of monthly (and as needed) meetings with the policy team, that include the ED and other needed directors, and larger group staff meetings on specific policy topics, including EET meetings as appropriate to discuss policy activity, new legislation, policy statements, etc. Coordinate EET and staff involvement with policy.
• Contribute to and prepare op-eds, articles and public statements reflecting CFR’s policy priorities and initiatives, working with CFR’s Communications Director.
• Participate with the ED, Supervising Attorney for Policy and Early Defense, Supervisor for Government and Community Affairs, and individually in meetings with elected officials for both the City and the State, their budget directors and staff, particularly during budget season. Send follow up communications.

• Coordinate and participate in Advocacy Days supporting CFR’s policy priorities.

Communications and Social Media: Working closely with the Communications team, Supervisor for Government and Community Affairs, and pertinent development staff, to identify content for social media and collaborate on specific social media posting projects related to CFR’s policy priorities.

Location

CFR is a primarily in-person workforce. This role is based in our Manhattan office. CFR also has offices in the Bronx, Queens, and Richmond County. CFR has a generous telecommuting policy that allows staff the flexibility to work from home when there are no in-person client or organizational obligations. The Policy Associate should expect to be in person for a variety of work related needs. Occasional travel is possible (for example, to Albany, NY for a lobby day).

Travel: This individual may be asked to provide temporary support to other boroughs if the organizational need arises. Additionally, training sessions are often a mix of in-person and hybrid and may be held in any of CFR’s offices. Travel to conferences and other work events may also be required. 

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume through CFR’s Career Portal

• Undergraduate (political science, public administration, public health, etc.)
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Commitment to working alongside impacted communities to achieve change
• Ability to take initiative, manage projects, and problem-solve independently
• Commitment to anti-racism and CFR’s current DEI work.
• Comfort with public speaking, facilitating meetings, and conducting trainings

Preferred but not required: 

• Experience advocating for legislation and/or coalition membership is preferred.
• Past work or internships with a social justice oriented non-profit, legal service provider, or public defender office. 
• Familiarity with the systems and structures impacting low-income families, ideally in New York City. 
• Experience with data analysis
• Well-versed in social media and digital platforms where policy conversations are happening, including BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads
• Masters degree in social science (political science, public administration, public health, etc.)

Salary & Benefits

CFR offers a generous compensation package, including a competitive base salary as well as health, 403(b) and vacation benefits. The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between CFR and the CFR Union, part of ALAA (Association of Legal Aid Attorneys) UAW 2325.

CFR strives to create an inclusive and antiracist environment for all of its staff, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply; CFR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Annualized Salary:$65,800 - $78,800