Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 224 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

Reporting directly to the Senior Editor in the Communications & External Affairs department, the Editor will perform line edits and developmental edits for communications materials—including research reports, fact sheets, policy briefs, op-eds, infographics, blogs, digital and social media content, rapid response pieces, data visualizations, special projects, etc.—based on the current news cycle, Vera’s strategic priorities, and the output of the Vera initiative teams. The Editor will work on a diverse collection of reports and pieces to reach both community audiences and justice system actors through compelling narratives backed by data and connected to the crucial work that Vera is doing.

About the role:

Editing

  • Maintain attention to detail in a deadline-driven environment, using Vera’s in-house style guide, as well as the Chicago Manual of Style, ensuring the quality and content of copy materials.
  • Perform developmental, line, and copy-editing tasks; provide support with cite or fact checking; proofread for editorial content, including research reports, fact sheets, policy briefs, op-eds, infographics, blogs, digital and social media content, rapid response pieces, data visualizations, special projects, etc.
  • Assist with developing and proposing shorter-form derivative content based on longer-form pieces as the need arises.
  • Monitor the national news cycle and collaborate with the digital and editorial teams to maintain agile messaging.

Project Management 

  • Collaborate with the editorial assistant, senior editor, managing editor, editorial strategy director, other Communications staff, and authors across the organization to manage editorial production schedules, set, and meet deadlines to produce polished final products.
  • Work in collaboration with Vera staff, system actors, and justice-involved community members to tell impactful stories that advance Vera’s strategic priorities.

Administration

  • Coordinate with the editorial assistant to create and process task orders and invoices for editorial and design consultants as needed. 
  • Additional duties as needed. 

What qualifications are we looking for?

  • At least six years of editing and publishing experience in a research and policy context, covering criminal justice, public policy, and / or the social sciences. 

Preferred: 

  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in communications, journalism, English, writing, publishing, or a criminal justice-related field.
  • Knowledge of and facility with research, statistics, and data visualization, and experience in data-driven storytelling.
  • Knowledge of search engine optimization and certification in content strategy and / or SEO writing. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat DC, and Asana

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

  • Zoom, PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat DC, Asana, Slack

Location & Schedule:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY, office. The Editor will complete 21 hours per week, on an in-office hybrid schedule on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $48,000 - $50,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here. In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325.

Application Process:

To receive further consideration for this career opportunity, applicants are asked preliminary questions about logistics, their interest and qualifications. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional details about their experience via a phone screen/form in advance of an invitation for a virtual or in-person interview with the team. Some searches may explore scenarios during the interview process and/or an assessment prior to reference checks and a hiring decision.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Editor (Part-Time), Communications and External Affairs
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.

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