FAMILIES AGAINST MANDATORY MINIMUMS (FAMM)
POSITION OPEN
Director of State Legislative Affairs
Washington, D.C.
Open until filled
Families against Mandatory Minimums Foundation (FAMM Foundation) seeks a Director of State Legislative Affairs. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing state sentencing reform initiatives; supervising state-based staff, consultants and volunteers; and providing strategic political and issue support to advocates considering sentencing reform campaigns in other states. As a member of FAMM’s senior leadership team, the Director will play an important role in shaping and helping to implement the organization’s strategic direction.
About FAMM:
FAMM is the national voice for fair and proportionate sentencing laws. We shine a light on the human face of sentencing, advocate for state and federal sentencing reform, and mobilize thousands of individuals and families whose lives are adversely affected by unjust sentences. FAMM's 13,000 members include prisoners and their families, attorneys, judges, criminal justice experts and concerned citizens. Our vision is a nation in which sentencing is individualized, humane, and sufficient but not greater than necessary to impose just punishment, secure public safety, and support successful rehabilitation and reentry.
Responsibilities
Guide FAMM’s current state projects: ·
Develop FAMM’s state advocacy agenda that furthers the organization’s mission and is in line with its strategic plan.
- Establish, oversee and evaluate annual plans for the program overall and in each state.
- Oversee the execution of FAMM’s current state sentencing reform projects, ensuring that state-based project staff, consultants and volunteers have strategic guidance, supervision, and planning support.
Identify and evaluate opportunity states: ·
- Monitor opportunities for reform in states other than those with FAMM projects by talking with key allies and experts, identifying legislative and political trends and communicating with state sentencing reform advocates.
- Identify states whose political conditions and current sentencing structure indicate the need and conditions for reform exist and explore whether and what level of FAMM involvement will add value to sentencing reform efforts.
- Design state sentencing reform projects in opportunity states that ensure that FAMM’s contribution advances a reform agenda and uses our resources strategically.
General:
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with key state reform and political figures in state governmental and non-governmental organizations.
- With state staff and supporters, monitor and assess political trends and legislative developments, such as gang legislation or drug-zone reform efforts.
- Work with criminal justice/sentencing reform experts who can provide guidance and expertise on state-based reform efforts, while reaching out to state-based actors.
- Review and evaluate legislative proposals and statutes and draft legislation.
- With the communications department and state staff, ensure preparation of reports, memoranda, media pieces, website postings and newsletter articles on FAMM’s state-based work; respond to media inquiries and public speaking opportunities.
- Ensure that the development department has timely information with which to prepare grant reports and funding proposals.
- Help state-based staff and case researcher identify individual cases of people serving time in prison whose stories will illustrate why reform is necessary.
Supervision and planning
- Help ensure that our state-based staff and consultants are top performers who have the experience necessary and the resources they need to do their jobs.
- Coordinate with vice president to prepare annual and quarterly plans.
- Serve as a member of FAMM’s leadership team and assist in shaping and implementing organization’s strategic direction.
- Provide support and relevant information to president, vice president, and board of directors to inform governance decisions.
Qualifications:
FAMM seeks highly skilled candidates with demonstrated advocacy experience. Candidate must agree with the organization’s mission. The ideal candidate has a minimum of five years of relevant experience and combines high-level strategic thinking with effective day-to-day implementation and management skills. FAMM is seeking a candidate with a can-do attitude; one who can supervise and inspire staff and consultants and develop key alliances. The candidate should have the skills to interact with national and state experts on reform and state political figures. The ideal candidate can read, evaluate and explain legislation, statutes and sentencing laws and draft legislation. The candidate must be an effective writer and communicator; public speaking experience is highly valued.
Compensation:
DOE. FAMM offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous vacation and holiday schedules and medical, dental and disability insurance.
How to apply:
FAMM is an equal opportunity employer. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to:
Mary Price
FAMM
1612 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20006
mprice@famm.org
No phone calls please.
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