Job Description

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve constitutional protection in national security policies. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion.  

Position Overview: 
Our Voting Rights and Elections Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel.  

We seek a full-time Program Associate to join a cutting-edge, inter-disciplinary team working collaboratively to ensure that all U.S. citizens have free and equal access to the ballot box. The Program Associate will provide broad logistical support for the day-to-day operations of the program. Working in a team-based environment, the Program Associate is responsible for performing a broad array of administrative, logistical, and operational duties. The position also includes research and information gathering support. This is an entry-level position reporting to a designated program manager, although the Program Associate may be assigned to work with a variety of team members as needed.   

Note: This position may be based at our offices in New York City or Washington, D.C. 

Responsibilities:  

• Analyze developments in the voting rights field for a wide array of applications. 

• Manage scheduling, expense reports and invoices, travel arrangements, and team events and logistics, and provide other logistical support for day-to-day program operations, with accuracy and timeliness.   

• Provide administrative and other support for research publications, federal and state advocacy, litigation, and other projects.  

• Organize internal and external meetings, including calendaring, distributing reference materials, timekeeping, note-taking, and following up with next steps. 

• Collect and synthesize information to draft outlines, memos, talking points and presentations, board reports, correspondence, and other communications. 

• Provide research, writing, fact-checking, and proofreading assistance to support preparation of articles, speeches, reports, op-eds, blog posts, and other organizational materials, with opportunities for named authorship. 

• Research and track voting rights bills and laws for inclusion in the Voting Laws Roundup. 

• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned. 

• Work collaboratively, respectfully, and productively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.  
  
   

Experience and Qualifications:  

• A bachelor’s degree and at least one year of work experience are required.  

• Careful attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness, and organization.  

• Ability to work productively under different management styles, and to seek and apply constructive feedback. 

• Willingness and flexibility to contribute as needed to advance the mission of the Voting Rights and Elections Program. 

• Drive and ability to take initiative, anticipate needs and solve problems, and complete tasks and projects with a high degree of focus and independence.   

• Strong ability to manage time and successfully multi-task in a deadline-driven environment.  

• Excellent writing, fact-checking, and proofreading skills.  

• Strong ability to conduct and accurately summarize legal, academic, and news-based research.  

• Experience and interest in politics, government, research, nonprofit administration, or a related field.   

• Enthusiasm to learn and support the work of the Voting Rights and Elections Program, including a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.   

• A high degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and tact.  

• Strong interpersonal skills and the desire and ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues within and external to the organization.  

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application. 

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role. 

Position Start Date: Summer 2025 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is identified.  

Application Instructions  
To apply, visit >> LINK HERE << and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) one writing sample (up to 10 pages), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references. Please feel welcome to include on your resume any work experience you believe helps demonstrate your fit for the role, even if it does not seem directly relevant (e.g., cashier, restaurant host, etc.). If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.     

Please, no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website . If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Program Associate, Voting Rights & Elections Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.  

Compensation and Benefits:  
The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback. 

This is a scaled position. The salary assigned for the scale is $56,000 - $69,500. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after the selected candidate graduated from undergraduate school. Additionally, we offer a generous time off program, 401(k) plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.   

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.   

Note:  The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.  

The Brennan Center for Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Job Tags

Full time, Work experience placement, Summer work, Local area,

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