Jobs and Internships
Staff Positions:
Project Director for the Future Project
The Center for Children’s Law and Policy (CCLP) seeks a person with extensive experience in the juvenile justice system to serve as Project Director for the Future Project, an effort to develop the next generation of leaders in juvenile justice reform.
CCLP is a nonprofit public interest law and policy organization that works on reform of juvenile justice and other systems that affect troubled and at-risk children, and protection of the rights of children in those systems. Our work covers a range of activities including research, writing, public education, media advocacy, training, technical assistance, administrative and legislative advocacy, and litigation. CCLP participates in national juvenile justice reform initiatives such as the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change and the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). Our website (www.cclp.org) has information on our major projects as well as staff biographies.
CCLP has developed the Future Project because a significant problem for juvenile justice reform lies just over the horizon. For more than 30 years, experienced and well-trained expert consultants, lawyers, and practitioners such as judges, probation officers, and directors of state and county juvenile justice agencies have been at the center of many of the juvenile justice reforms in this country, including Models for Change and JDAI. Over the next decade, however, many of the most experienced and well-trained individuals – who are now in their 60s -- will retire or substantially reduce their involvement in juvenile justice reform activities. The Future Project is designed to ensure that committed and capable experts, attorneys, and practitioners will be available in the future to lead reform efforts.
Over the past two years, CCLP has hosted a series of meetings of experts, attorneys, and practitioners to begin planning the Future Project, which will involve six components: recruitment, training, field experiences, mentoring, networking, and employment support.
CCLP has funding for 18 months for the Project Director, under the supervision of CCLP staff, to develop:
• a comprehensive plan to recruit promising mid-career professionals to participate in the project;
• training curricula and materials for participants;
• a variety of field experiences in which the participants can utilize their training;
• a group of mentors (including those individuals who have already assisted CCLP in planning the project) to guide participants in their field experiences;
• a network for participants, mentors, and project staff; and
• a plan for career support for participants.
CCLP expects to seek funding for implementation of the project under the direction of the Project Director for five classes of participants over six years. CCLP is particularly interested in recruiting people of color to participate in this project..
Qualifications:
• Minimum 10 years experience working in or with the juvenile justice system;
• Experience training professionals in juvenile justice or related systems;
• Leadership or supervisory experience in the juvenile justice field;
• Familiarity with national juvenile justice reforms, such as Models for Change or JDAI, or with state or local juvenile justice reforms;
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct detailed and comprehensive planning for a major multi-year project;
• Specific experience related to one or more of the Project Director tasks listed above;
• Excellent analytical, writing, verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people;
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, take initiative on identified goals, and meet deadlines;
We strongly encourage people of color to apply for this position.
This position is for a person with significant experience with the juvenile justice system. This is not an entry-level position. Applications from attorneys are welcome, but the position does not require a person who is a lawyer.
Salary is commensurate with experience. There is an excellent benefits package. This position is located in Washington, DC.
Please send an email or cover letter describing your experience, a resume, a writing sample, and three references to:
Search Committee
Center for Children’s Law and Policy
1701 K Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
Email: info@cclp.org
Internships:
CCLP welcomes letters of inquiry and resumes from law students, graduate students and undergraduates for internships throughout the school year and during summers. Please send materials to:
Valerie McDowell
Operations Manager
vmcdowell@cclp.org