Associate Counsel For Economic Justice

Associate Counsel for Economic Justice (JD Required)
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark, NJ

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (the "Institute") is a cutting-edge racial justice organization that works to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power - from the ground up - in New Jersey. The Institute employs a broad range of advocacy tools to advance our ambitious racial and social justice agenda, including research, analysis and writing, public education, grassroots organizing, communications, development of pilot programs, legislative strategies and litigation. Using a holistic approach to address the unique and critical issues facing New Jersey?s communities of color, the Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state and replicable in communities across the nation. We continue to serve as a leading voice in designing, advocating for and implementing solutions to the systemic racism that has pervaded the Garden State and our nation.

Overview

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (the ?Institute?) is looking for a dynamic team player to serve as an Associate Counsel for Economic Justice to implement a program of policy advocacy to expand racial and social justice in New Jersey. The position combines rigorous research and policy analysis and carrying out community-driven advocacy campaigns to help strengthen and advance economic justice in New Jersey, with a focus on closing the racial wealth gap.

Our goal within the Economic Justice Program is to build in New Jersey the most inclusive economy in America that can serve as a national model for what is possible from the ground up in our communities.

This is an exciting opportunity, at a critical time in our history, to advance racial and social justice to topple load-bearing walls of structural inequality to create just, vibrant and healthy communities in New Jersey through the Institute?s Economic Justice Program. Through the creation of inclusive policies and programs that support the financial security and mobility of economically vulnerable communities of color, our work serves to ensure that New Jersey?s historically marginalized families of color thrive, while growing the state?s economy for all. Our evidence-driven, solutions-focused work targets several areas which are the root causes of economic vulnerability, poverty, and the racial wealth gap, including the following: (1) unemployment and lack of access to quality jobs, (2) a lack of affordable and non-discriminatory housing and homeownership options in safe and healthy neighborhoods, (3) inequality and discrimination in access to affordable credit, (4) inequitable access to higher education and (5) disparities in access to intergenerational wealth. Our work is rooted in the knowledge that the racial wealth gap is a manifestation of generations of policy-generated inequalities in these areas, each of which has crucial influence on the ability of families to meet daily needs as well as to save for the future and grow wealth. This foundational understanding has also led to the Institute?s deep involvement in reparative policy solutions and our work to convene the New Jersey Reparations Council, a 50+ person council comprised of policy experts, academics, and advocates, that published its findings on Juneteenth 2025 and proposed substantial policy reforms that will shape the upcoming work of the Institute.

The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state, and replicable in communities across the nation.

Reports to: Director, Economic Justice

Responsibilities include:

• Help execute programmatic functions and monitor implementation of the Institute?s vision for economic initiatives, including the integration of legislative initiatives, policy goals, public education, and targeted campaigns.
• Work closely with the entire Programs team and Institute staff, particularly with the Director of Economic Justice and economic justice colleagues, to realize Institute goals and advance the Economic Justice body of work.
• Research and draft policy analysis, position papers, reports, letters, testimony, and advocacy materials pertaining to legislation, proposed administrative rules and regulations, and government policies and practices affecting the Institute?s economic justice programming priorities.
• Attend coalition meetings and symposia and participate in in-depth briefings pertaining to Institute priority issues.
• Engage in public speaking, including with the media and at conferences for expert and lay audiences.
• Working with the Community Engagement team to implement the Institute?s vision for community engagement?including the integration of advocacy, legislative initiatives, policy goals, public education, and targeted campaigns.
• Work with partner organizations and individuals to advance the Institute?s mission, engage on shared priorities, and exchange knowledge and information in support of the Institute?s programs and initiatives.
• Assist with the integration of legislative initiatives, policy goals, public education, and targeted campaigns.
• Work with the communications team to integrate policy and legal advocacy with communications, including through public education materials, reports, white papers, talking points, op-eds, and press releases.
• Model values of an inclusive and respectful workplace and foster the same in the staff.

Qualifications:

• Law degree or Master?s Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration or related field.
• One to three years of work experience.
• A demonstrated ability to successfully execute large-scale and short and long-term projects, preferably advocacy and policy initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse coalitions and community groups, particularly of color, and to work across political ideology, race, ethnicity, socio-economic circumstances, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and religion.
• Ability to be a self-starter, working diligently to move projects forward and manage up to supervisors through clear communication in real time.
• Passion for, and knowledge of, racial and social justice, and a familiarity with the work and mission of the Institute.
• Preference for experience working at a policy or advocacy organization, or in government, particularly on economic justice issues, including housing, access to credit, asset-building initiatives, higher education finance and/or workforce and labor.
• Excellent research and writing skills; superior attention to detail; good problem-solving skills and a positive, professional attitude with excellent judgment, flexibility, determination, and grace in a sometimes high-pressure office.
• Exceptional oral communication skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously ? sometimes under pressure ? and manage time to ensure completion of short and long-term projects.
• The ability to work effectively in a collaborative context, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team, including a willingness to communicate openly, listen well, and learn from others.
• Excellent judgment and follow through.
• Willingness to travel throughout the state, and occasionally around the country, for conferences.

Compensation:

This is a hybrid, full-time, and at-will position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a grant-funded position with an annual salary range of $95,000 - $105,000.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, please submit a cover letter, resume, one professional writing sample (demonstrating different styles) for which you are the primary author, a completed applicant assessment, and three professional references (full name, job title, phone number, and email address). Attach all required documents to this job posting.

For inquiries, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@njisj.org, ensuring that you reference the specific position in your email.

About the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
The Institute?s mission is to empower urban residents to realize and achieve their full potential. Established in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute?s dynamic and independent advocacy is aimed at toppling load-bearing walls of structural inequality to create just, vibrant, and healthy urban communities. We employ a broad range of advocacy tools to advance our ambitious urban agenda, including research, analysis and writing, public education, grassroots organizing, communications, the development of pilot programs, legislative strategies, and Litigation.

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