Program Associate, Opening Doors & Unlocking Potential

About the team

Access to employment and housing is essential to success in reentry and post‑release well‑being, but both good jobs and stable housing can be elusive for people with conviction histories. The Opening Doors and Unlocking Potential team is working to create pipelines into meaningful work and break down barriers to housing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals through legislative advocacy and technical assistance engagements.

As part of the team, the Program Associate will help drive policy change, build coalitions, and provide technical assistance in select jurisdictions to advance the Initiative’s priorities.

• Work with the Opening Doors and Unlocking Potential leadership team to develop state‑based strategies to advance policy changes and provide technical assistance
• Cultivate relationships with partners and stakeholders in Opening Doors’ and Unlocking Potential’s states to implement strategies
• Provide advocacy support to the lead of specific states, including meeting with policymakers, providing support in building and leading coalitions, and drafting advocacy documents
• Lead meetings, conference calls, webinars, and site visits, and serve as a main point of contact for external partners
• Work in tandem with the state leads and opening doors and unlocking potential leadership to collaborate with Vera’s Advocacy and Partnerships, Communications, and Research teams on the components of active and forthcoming state campaigns, troubleshooting as issues arise
• Track and monitor relevant state and federal policies
• Complete initial drafting of and finalize program and technical assistance materials, including work plans, agendas, presentations, recommendations, and guidance documents
• Field questions from and devise solutions for stakeholders, including housing providers, employers, government partners, and direct service providers, on employment and housing challenges faced by justice‑impacted people
• Develop training or conduct policy analyses as components of broader projects

• Prepare information and/or lead background research and literature reviews for reports. Write up results and integrate into public‑facing products including reports, advocacy documents, or other publications under the supervision of senior associates
• As part of a team, provide technical assistance to partners and stakeholders, including preparation of public presentations, facilitation of meetings, and shared expertise
• Co‑author and co‑develop content such as program reports, fundraising proposals, presentations, and blog posts.
• Present on Vera’s work at conferences, webinars, and other external events.
• Present at internal Vera events (department meetings, “brown bag” discussions, etc.)

• Create agendas, update internal documentation, support with facilitation of team meetings
• Mentor program analysts and/or interns on tasks as needed
• Monitor relevant news coverage of this work to stay informed about trends in the field
• Support the logistical/event planning process, as needed
• Support related research projects, as needed

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, criminal justice, public policy, or other related field and 3 plus years of relevant experience. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.

Preferred:

• Experience in reentry, workforce development, affordable housing, reentry housing, and/or homeless

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of policy development, government, criminal justice and social justice for underserved populations
• Strong research and writing skills
• Excellent strategic, problem‑solving, and analytic skills
• Experience and ability to manage multiple projects, committees, or work groups
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills
• Ability to work with people with diverse experiences and backgrounds
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Knowledge of policy change processes is a plus
• Knowle…