Policy Fellow

Overview

The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate professional with a commitment to social justice to fill a position as Policy Associate.

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally-recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend.

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

Policy Team

The Bronx Defenders Policy  Team works collaboratively with the Criminal Defense, Family Defense, Immigration, Civil Action and Social Work Practices to develop and execute legislative and policy work at the local, state, and national levels. Working closely with our Strategic Communications and Data Science Teams, the Policy Team works to bring transformational change to the criminal legal system, state and federal immigration policy, the family regulation system, and the civil action space . We do this by drafting legislation and policy strategy, developing communications and organizing campaigns, lobbying on behalf of The Bronx Defenders and working collaboratively in broad coalitions with community members and grassroots organizations. Our policy priorities are rooted in, informed by and responsive to the needs and experiences of the people we represent and the broader Bronx community.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Managing Director of Policy, the Policy Fellow will work towards advancing our policy agenda and facilitating community engagement around shrinking the footprint of the criminal legal system, the family policing system, the immigration system, and the civil action and eviction system. This fellowship is grant-funded and will last two years.

Practice Partnership

• Work closely with Managing Director of Policy and Family Defense Policy Director to design and implement communications and advocacy tools to shape critical messaging for our holistic policy reform campaigns and Family Defense policy campaigns
• Collaborate with full Systemic Reform team to draft letters, talking points, memoranda, reports, and white papers that provide impact analysis of proposed policy changes from a legal and practitioner perspective to inform advocacy partners, stakeholders, and community members

Policy Research and Analysis

• Monitor and analyze local, state, and federal policies and legislation that impact policy priorities
• In collaboration with the Managing Director of Policy, conduct research on policy issues, trends and best practices to inform advocacy strategies

Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the Managing Director and Policy Directors, including but not limited to, assisting in the preparation, coordination, and/or dissemination of presentations, reports, materials, and/or spreadsheets; taking minutes; and processing invoices and expense reports for reimbursement, payments, and reconciliation
• Manage and maintain calendar of policy advocacy events for Policy Team
• Provide support for policy meetings, panels, and public forums for various organizations, stakeholders and the City of New York

Collaboration with External Stakeholders

• Coordinate Bronx Defenders’ partner organizations, coalitions and advocacy groups  at the local, state, and national level to advance policy goals
• Draft policy briefs, fact sheets, reports and other educational materials for stakeholders including, but not limited to, press and organizations locally and nationally
• Assist in the identification, engagement, and mobilization of former clients, impacted community members, and their families interested in organizing around specific policy reform efforts
• Assist with development and training community members and their families who want to support organizational goals as leaders and lend their stories to the public debate, including through focused community engagement, new and traditional media, and local and statewide advocacy efforts
• Travel to legislative offices in Albany and/or other offices to advance BxD’s policy agenda

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Commitment to holistic public defense, racial justice, and legal system change with the goal of dismantling punitive carceral systems
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities 
• Understanding of how systemic oppression affects marginalized communities and their experience in the legal system 
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences 
• Ability to work well independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and follow through on tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to navigate high-volume internal and external communications in a legal setting
• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of the people we represent and communities we work with
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders while maintaining tact and diplomacy
• Ability to effectively navigate coalition spaces, manage interests and relationships, and collaborative effectively
• Effective research, written and verbal advocacy skills
• Ability to analyze complex issues and translate ideas into effective strategies
• Ability to think critically and creatively, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, non-lawyers, people impacted by the criminal legal system, community members, and coalition partners  
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to changing priorities, while adhering to deadlines
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level
• Previous advocacy and/or organizing experience is preferred but not required

This is an in-person position subject to BXD’s hybrid work policies.  

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 1-5 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $62,343 - $67,749. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided if an offer is extended.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit. 

This position is non-exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.  

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized in your resume. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume is up to date. Please note that applications without a written cover letter or audio/video statement will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2025. Please contact Brittany McCoy, Managing Director of Policy via email at bmccoy@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position. 

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with. 

Salary : $62,343 - $67,749