Employment
Currently Hiring
Deputy Director
NJDC is looking for someone who is fiercely committed to juvenile defense and advancing racial justice, who can mentor legal staff and manage multiple projects, and who has excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills. We need someone who can enhance the already-amazing work our small team does, who is dedicated to serving our nationwide community of juvenile defenders and advocates, and who has vision to help lead NJDC and our community forward.
NJDC will begin reviewing applications on July 20, 2020. This position will remain open until filled. Please find the job description here.
Fellowship Opportunities
The Gault Fellowship
NJDC hosts two internally-funded, two-year Gault Fellows, in honor of the U.S. Supreme Court case In re Gault. The Gault decision extended to children many of the same due process protections afforded to adults accused of crimes, including the right to counsel.
The Gault Fellows collaborate with NJDC staff to develop legal and policy initiatives around a broad range of juvenile defense issues. The Fellows perform extensive legal research and analysis for NJDC and assist with the provision of training and technical assistance to the juvenile defense community. The Fellows work closely with juvenile defense attorneys, public defender offices, law schools, legal clinics, and nonprofit law centers to improve access to counsel and the quality of representation for all children. The Fellows write reports, articles, issue briefs, and fact sheets to inform the field, and additionally review the content and citations of all materials developed by NJDC. The Fellows may also assist in long-term research and writing on a variety of high-level reform projects. Each Fellow is expected to proactively initiate projects to improve the provision of justice in the juvenile delinquency system.
Applications for the 2021-2023 Gault Fellow will open in Fall 2020.
Equal Justice Works, Soros, or Skadden Fellowships
NJDC also considers applications from candidates wishing to develop project opportunities through outside fellowship funding organizations. Typically, NJDC seeks to apply to any or all of these fellowships with a single applicant. Deadlines and timing for applications to each are dictated by the individual funding organizations. Those wishing to pursue one of these fellowships with NJDC as your host organization should submit proposal ideas to NJDC in mid-summer for application deadlines that tend to come in the fall (for funded positions that would start the following fall). To submit a project proposal, please send a letter of interest indicating your experience in juvenile justice and project idea along with a resume and writing sample, attention: Fellowship Application – [Last Name] to recruit@njdc.info.
Law Clerk Opportunities
Law Clerks
NJDC welcomes applications for law clerk positions during the summer or academic year. Law clerk applicants must be law school students.
Law Clerks will assist with a wide range of juvenile defense projects. Responsibilities will include researching and writing on issues related to juvenile justice, with a particular emphasis on juvenile defense. Assignments could include: assisting with the drafting of publications regarding juvenile defense issues; evaluating current and proposed federal or state legislation related to juvenile justice; addressing the special needs of discrete client populations (e.g., girls; LGBTQ-GNC youth; and youth of color); developing training materials for juvenile court professionals; helping to update policy information regarding juvenile defense and state summaries of juvenile defense research, and opportunities to observe juvenile court practice and/or facilities.
Applicants must be current law students with excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, and an ability to work independently. Applicants should have experience with, or demonstrated interest in juvenile defense, juvenile justice, criminal justice, civil rights, and/or youth rights.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and short (approx. 250 word) summary and analysis of the landmark juvenile rights case In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967), with the subject line “Law Clerk Application – [Last Name]” to recruit@njdc.info as a single .pdf file.
Applications for our Law Clerk program Summer 2020 are currently closed.
Internship Opportunities
Policy Internships
Policy Internships are ideal for masters or undergraduate students who have an interest in public policy centering around juvenile defense reform and broader issues of racial and social justice. The Policy Intern would support a full range of local, state, and federal policy projects and campaigns that are in line with NJDC’s mission and vision. The kinds of activities the intern would engage in will depend both on the person’s skills and the immediate needs of the organization. Such activities might include helping to craft messaging and social media postings related to reform discussions or campaigns; research into reports by public officials or entities; compiling statistics or documentation to guide reform arguments or educate stakeholders; or any other assigned tasks.
We accept policy intern applications on a rolling basis, and make selections based on organizational needs. Interested candidates should email recruit@njdc.info, with “Policy Intern Application” in the subject line. The email should include the following in an attachment:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- A short writing sample or excerpt
Internships are possible for semester credit or on a volunteer basis. Please indicate in your cover letter the parameters of your availability and any school requirements. Please note that we are not able to respond to every applications. If, however, our current needs meet with your timeline and qualifications, we will be in contact.
Administrative Internships
Administrative Internships are ideal for undergraduate students who have an interest in business and public administration centering around nonprofit management. The Administrative Intern would support a full range of projects such as event planning, financial management, and operational management, among other tasks that are in line with NJDC’s mission and vision. The kinds of activities the intern would engage in will depend both on the person’s skills and interest as well as the immediate needs of the organization.
We accept administrative intern applications on a rolling basis, and make selections based on organizational needs. Interested candidates should email recruit@njdc.info, with “Administrative Intern Application” in the subject line. The email should include the following in an attachment:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
Internships are possible for semester credit or on a volunteer basis. Please indicate in your cover letter the parameters of your availability and any school requirements. Please note that we are not able to respond to every application. If, however, our current needs meet with your timeline and qualifications, we will be in contact.
NJDC is an equal employment opportunity employer and will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status or family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, matriculation or political affiliation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws