Project Assistant, Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivors Initiative (Igvsi)

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of Gender Violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end Gender Violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivors Initiative (“IGVSI” or the “Initiative”) is a collaboration among legal and social services organizations, law firms, advocacy groups, former judges, formerly incarcerated survivors, and other individuals committed to assisting survivors of Gender Violence who are incarcerated, or facing incarceration, in New York State. First constituted in early 2017, the Initiative takes a multi-pronged approach to assisting survivors and working to create a racially equitable, trauma-informed justice system, by: (1) providing high-quality legal representation for survivors facing criminal charges or sentencing, or seeking parole, clemency, or re-sentencing under New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (“DVSJA”), (2) advocating to improve the criminal justice system’s approach toward abuse survivors; and (3) training judges, prosecutors, public defenders, parole board members, and others on issues specific to the representation of abuse survivors.

IGVSI is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and highly detail-oriented individual for the role of Project Assistantcommitted to supporting victims of gender-based violence, and passionate about increasing access to justice, to assist the Initiative in all aspects of project coordination and administration. Responsibilities include administrative tasks, assistance with the management of the Initiative, coordination with Initiative attorneys and outside law firms, and providing support to attorneys and clients working with the Initiative. The Project Assistant will provide critical support to the Initiative and will have the opportunity to work directly with clients, interact with attorneys and staff on a range of issues, and learn about all aspects of Sanctuary’s legal work, while working in an exceptionally mission-driven environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acting as the primary contact and point-person for all IGVSI matters, including communicating with incarcerated clients
• Running case management project for criminalized survivors by guiding their re-entry process or advocating within the facility to provide them proper medical care, dental care, address safety concerns, etc.
• Serving as a primary contact between the Initiative and our outside law firm partners, and providing timely responses to requests for support and technical assistance
• Keeping up-to-date on IGVSI cases and the needs of IGVSI clients, taking notes at meetings and on calls, creating and updating case memoranda, and tracking case updates and deadlines in Sanctuary’s case-tracking system
• Attending interviews with potential IGVSI clients, researching potential cases, and drafting summaries for distribution to potential law firm partners and others
• Compiling Initiative data and updates, and drafting reports for funders and agency use
• Maintaining, editing, updating and expanding IGVSI’s collection of relevant documents and materials, and distributing those materials as requested
• Organizing and scheduling trainings, presentations, panels and other events
• Working with Sanctuary legal project directors, staff, and other stakeholders to evaluate IGVSI needs and identify and integrate best practices into future planning and policies
• Other duties as assigned to support the IGVSI, the IGVSI Project Director, other IGVSI attorneys and Sanctuary’s clients
• Supervise interns as they provide support and research skills to the IGVSI

• Bachelor’s degree or significant relevant work experience required
• Proactive, efficient, and highly organized self-starter who is flexible and able to juggle multiple priorities and tasks independently
• Detail-oriented
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Computer literacy (including MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, Adobe, and internet research)
• Experience with office systems (e.g. document management, filing, scanning, etc.).
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and work within deadlines
• Passionate about increasing and improving access to justice for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender-based violence
• Experience with survivors of trauma is a plus; willingness to learn how to provide trauma-informed services is a must
• Desire to work collaboratively with attorneys and clients to strategically and creatively improve the delivery of legal services for survivors

Budgeted Salary: $28.57 - $29.14/hr ($52,000 - $53,045 Annually)

Work position is currently in-person full time; must be able to meet job location schedule obligations

Vaccination Policy: Proof of vaccination or proof of first dose with scheduled 2nd dose within 30 days is required.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off
• Flex spending account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws. Sanctuary for Families follows the requirements of the Human Rights Law including with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

People of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that the safety, healing and self-determination of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of Gender Violence is at the intersection of racial, gender, economic, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disability justice, as well as many other critical issues. In order to realize our mission, Sanctuary strives to center DEI principles at every level of the organization and continues to deepen that commitment.