Program Coordinator, Illinois Justice Project

Title: Program Coordinator

Location: Hybrid
Status: Full-time, exempt
Salary: $58,000-$65,000
Reports to: Program Specialists (2), Director
Desired start date: Q2 2025

About the Illinois Justice Project
The Illinois Justice Project (ILJP) engages in criminal legal system reform efforts that promote policies and practices that reduce violence, decrease recidivism and make the criminal legal system more equitable. ILJP works at the local, regional, and state levels in partnership with stakeholders from underserved communities to effect policy change. This work is executed through the development, advocacy, implementation, and monitoring of policies and practices. ILJP, composed of a small staff of eight, continues justice policy work that began in 2000 through an initiative called Chicago Metropolis 2020. From the start, ILJP's work has been rooted in strong collaboration on criminal legal system issues with key stakeholders in government, advocacy groups, communities, and business leaders. Some of its initiatives include working in coalitions leading to the separation of the youth division from the Department of Corrections, creating the Department of Juvenile Justice and reducing the state’s youth prison population; creating Juvenile and Adult Redeploy Illinois programs, the Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, foundational statewide legislation like the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated the use of cash bail and reformed policing, and the R3 (for Restore, Reinvest, and Renew) community investment program, supported by 25% of the tax revenue derived from the legalization of adult recreational cannabis use. Learn more about ILJP at https://iljp.org/about/

The Opportunity: Program Coordinator

The Program Coordinator provides essential operations and administrative support to the ILJP team across its various projects and convenings. This position helps organize and execute the program team’s work on two of its six initiatives – reentry and juvenile justice. Some of the specific responsibilities include project management and meeting/convening planning; building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholder groups (policy advocates, researchers, government officials, and service providers/practitioners); maintaining files and documents; and sending communications on behalf of the team. The Program Coordinator reports directly to two Program Specialists and indirectly to the Director of ILJP. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is excited by project management, enjoys bringing both creativity and efficiency to their work, and is energized by collaborating across stakeholder groups working to effect systemic change. Ideal candidates are those with experience coordinating programs, facilitating meetings, and are looking to build an impactful career in the field of criminal legal reform and policy change more broadly. 

ILJP strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply, especially those that have been historically excluded from policy advocacy and change work. We know that BIPOC and women or female identifying candidates are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every requirement. Please do not be deterred. Your gifts and lived experiences matter to us more than titles. You may be exactly who we are looking for!

Responsibilities

• Project management and planning: oversee and advance tasks and accompanying deadlines across the team’s reentry and juvenile justice projects and other initiatives, as needed
• Coordinate convenings, meetings, and events, including preparing agendas, taking notes, and providing support on logistics (attendee registration and tracking, catering, etc.)
• Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with partners and collaborators, and serve as a representative of ILJP at various events/convenings
• Draft and send communications (e.g., emails, meeting minutes, collateral, and thank you notes), maintain and update contact lists, and ensure files are systematically maintained and organized
• Support and guide meetings in a way that motivates participants to commit to and follow through on specific tasks in an inclusive and efficient manner; keep track of follow-up items
• Support the team in anticipating and addressing potential challenges and identify the best course of action across all work streams
• Demonstrate an interest in and support policy development, advocacy and implementation, contributing substantively to relevant projects and discussions
• Provide administrative support to the Project Specialists and Director, as needed

Skills + Experiences

• Two to four years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector in program coordination, operations, or administrative support; preferably working in reentry and juvenile justice issues 
• Academic knowledge and professional experience associated with a college degree in public policy, political science, sociology, and/or criminal justice reform; bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required
• Commitment to racial equity, social and economic justice, and criminal legal system reform
• Strong project management and planning skills, including the ability to prioritize, work both independently and collaboratively, and create a blueprint of the key elements that projects require for successful completion
• Time management: an ability to offer visibility into on-going work, help the team anticipate challenges to prioritize and execute work efficiently, and track deadlines
• Meeting planning and facilitation experience with an orientation to action
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills across a broad audience and the ability to create meaningful relationships
• Adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to move work forward or pivot with limited or incomplete information
• A customer service orientation that centers both stakeholder satisfaction and team capacity
• Critical thinking and problem solving: the ability to question processes, initiatives, and practices for the purposes of improving them and eliminating obstacles for the team’s benefit
• Discretion: the ability to deal with confidential information and delicate situations
• Poise: the ability to remain focused and disciplined while working in a high-pressure environment
• Strong computer and office software (Microsoft Office, Google Office Suite, cloud-based storage), application, and database management skills 

Work Environment

• This is a full-time position. Evening and weekend work are occasionally required, particularly during events/convenings.
• The is a hybrid position located in Chicago, IL with the ability to work remotely three days per week and from the office two days per week.  
• Ordinarily, this position operates primarily in an accessible office environment. Some travel to other off-site locations in the Chicago area is required. Some may not be accessible. 
• Staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

To Apply

A cover letter is not required to apply for this role. Instead, all candidates will provide a resume and written answers to application questions. Your responses will be shared with the hiring manager as well as the hiring committee for this search, so please put forth your best effort. Up to 3 paragraphs maximum per response, please. Background and reference checks will be conducted as part of the search process with final candidates.

Illinois Justice Project is an equal opportunity employer that provides a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy/maternity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary + Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $58,000-$65,000.
• ILJP is a sponsored project of the Chicago Community Trust and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), and paid time off.