POSITION SUMMARY
The Fines & Fees Justice Center (FFJC) is seeking a Campaign Strategist who will be a key part of FFJC’s National Advocacy team. This position will be responsible for partnering with advocates and our allies in states across the country, and supporting the National Advocacy and Campaigns Team in executing high-impact, collaborative work. The Campaign Strategist will advance and grow our Free to Drive and End Justice Fees campaigns, help meet the needs of our state partners, become an expert on fines and fees legislation, and ensure that our team’s work is being tracked and discussed in an accurate and timely way.
This position will require travel to various states, national conferences, and convenings throughout the year, including FFJC’s two (bi-annual) multi-day team retreats each year.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Nearly every interaction a person has with the justice system, regardless of guilt or innocence, comes with a bill. But for those without the means to immediately pay up or fight back, one missed payment opens the door to dire, lifelong consequences.
The Fines and Fees Justice Center was founded to end the immoral practice of governments’ using fines and fees to profit off the most vulnerable. We empower state and local efforts to end fees in the justice system and ensure that fines are fair and equitably imposed.
FFJC has achieved over 20 legislative victories and directly aided even more, authored two dozen original research and policy reports, and partnered with more than 300 organizations to advance the national fines and fees reform movement.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Reporting to the National Advocacy and Campaigns Director, the Campaign Strategist will:
- Partner with state advocates and other key allies to advance the mission of the Free to Drive and End Justice Fees campaigns, and work on emerging fines and fees issues
- Understand the resources or support that state-level partners and advocates need to advance fines and fees reform, and take steps or develop plans to meet those needs in collaboration with the Advocacy Team, the Communications Team, and the Research & Policy Team.
- Identify new state or national partners that FFJC can work with to advance our mission, and develop strategies to engage those partners.
- Analyze, help draft, and offer feedback on bipartisan legislative proposals that address fines and fees issues.
- Support team member’s state legislative reform efforts by tracking key legislation, helping the team prepare for legislative engagement (e.g. drafting testimony, compiling fact sheets, developing one-pagers), and monitoring and sharing significant updates related to our work.
- Ensure that our team’s work is accurately discussed in internal and external communications, such as newsletter or social media content, thereby deepening understanding of our team’s work, how we talk about that work, and what we’re fighting to achieve.
This role is full-time and remote within the continental United States and must be able to work Monday-Friday 12-4 pm Eastern Time, as well as in line with the necessary times to be fully engaged in and responsive to the National Advocacy and Campaigns Team’s work. The 12-4pm block is the hours during which all staff must be available; the other working hours within the day are flexible according to one’s time zone and the needs of one’s team and the approval of the direct supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- At least 8 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years in advocacy at the local, state, or federal level, specifically in the criminal legal system. Criminal justice, economic justice, or racial justice advocacy and/or campaign experience preferred.
- Experience with direct legislative advocacy, including drafting, analyzing, and commenting on legislation.
- Proven ability to manage a high volume of work efficiently, juggle competing demands, ask questions and seek support where needed, and prioritize without sacrificing quality.
- Experience building and working in coalitions.
- Experience developing advocacy materials including model bills and talking points.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrating an ability to build trusting relationships internally and externally.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a growing non-profit environment.
- Demonstrated resilience and ownership in driving tasks to completion.
Attributes
- Organized, diligent, proactive, and attention to detail.
- Committed to personal and professional growth and constant learning.
- Balances confidence and humility, especially when collaborating with others.
- Solution oriented and strategic thinker.
- Passion for criminal legal system reform.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Sense of humor.
- Willingness to travel and work nights and weekends as needed.
FFJC encourages and welcomes those who have personal experience with the impacts of the criminal legal system, or the social systems connected to poverty or debt relief, to apply for this role.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
FFJC’s compensation philosophy consists of a 5-band salary structure. The Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Strategist is a band 2 position. The starting salary for the position is between $85,000-92,500 based on the qualifications of the candidate at the time of hire. FFJC offers excellent benefits including:
- 401(k) option with up to 6% employer contribution;
- Extremely generous employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families;
- Pre-tax transportation, dependent care, and flexible spending account benefits;
- Substantial paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, 4 floating holidays, 120 hours of vacation time, 96 hours of sick leave, and 24 hours of volunteer leave annually. FFJC also closes its office during the week of July 4th for all employees;
- Employees who work 4 consecutive years at FFJC receive an additional week of paid vacation annually.
- Employees who work 6 consecutive years at FFJC receive an 8-week paid sabbatical in their sixth year.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should prepare a single PDF file that combines both their resume and cover letter, named “Last name, First name_SACS.” Please upload this document using this Google Form, which also includes additional application questions. For any inquiries, feel free to email jobs@finesandfeesjusticecenter.org.
Applications close by end of day on May 16, 2025.
The Fines & Fees Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer and will consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law. FFJC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, FFJC will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations.
More information about the Fines & Fees Justice Center can be found at www.finesandfeesjusticecenter.org.