Description
ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT
The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair,
compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded
in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements
to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who,
collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200
transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom,
drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit
www.innocenceproject.org.
ABOUT THE CENTER ON RACE, INEQUALITY, AND THE LAW AT NYU SCHOOL OF LAW
The Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU School of Law (“The Center”) engages in research,
public education, advocacy, and litigation to advance its mission of shaping how people understand,
diagnose, and address issues of race and inequality. The Center’s priorities include: shaping the public
discourse and consciousness around race and inequality; addressing the influence of race and inequality
in the criminal legal system; confronting the racial justice implications of technology and algorithmic
decision-making tools in the criminal legal system and other systems that govern people’s lives;
challenging the forces that drive racial segregation and economic disadvantage in communities of color;
and infusing legal education with a racial justice lens.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Throughout the history of this country, racial bias and discrimination has played an arbitrary and
pernicious role in the administration of the criminal legal system and has contributed to the problem of
wrongful conviction. Two-thirds of the 254 people freed or exonerated by the IP are people of color and
58% are Black. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, Black people comprise 47% of all
known exonerations since 1989, even though they make up just 13% of the U.S. population. Furthermore,
Black people are seven times more likely to be wrongfully convicted of murder than white people; a Black
person convicted of sexual assault is 3.5 times more likely to be innocent than a white person convicted
of such a crime; and innocent Black people are 12 times more likely to be wrongfully convicted of drug
possession than innocent white people. The work of the IP has uncovered racial (and other) bias in
prosecution, policing, indigent defense, and forensic science.
To further advance the missions of the IP, the (Special) Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction will
serve as an advisor, thought leader, expert and in-house resource on racial justice, equity, bias and
discrimination and its impact on the functioning of the criminal legal system and, particularly, wrongful
conviction. The (Special) Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction will set the vision for this work and
will collaborate with the IP staff to ensure that the substantive work of the organization is consistently
guided, informed, and supported by rigorous historical, academic, forensic and social science research
and scholarship, legal decisions, and policies/practices that explain, expose, ameliorate and ultimately
eliminate racial bias as a factor in criminal legal system decision making. Thus, for example, the (Special)
Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction will advise on methods to help ensure that the IP's intake
procedures surface cases where racism may have contributed to the wrongful conviction of an innocent
person, that litigation strategies take into account the latest law and science on racial bias and
discrimination, that our social work policies and practices are informed by the unique challenges posed
by discrimination and unconscious bias and that our policy work and education campaigns contribute to
dismantling systemic racism.
The (Special) Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction will support and advise all Departments of the
IP, including the program teams, but will not play an active role in litigation or policy advocacy campaigns.
The (Special) Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction is not responsible for the development of
internal diversity, equity and inclusion policies, practices or procedures.
The (Special) Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction will report to the Executive Director of the IP,
and will be a member of the IP’s Executive Department. As a Visiting Scholar to NYU, the (Special)
Advisor on Race and Wrongful Conviction will also collaborate with the NYU Center Executive Director
and Faculty Director to produce scholarly writing regarding the role of race in wrongful convictions. The
program for visiting scholars extends specified courtesy titles and privileges to scholars of distinction who
visit New York University in order to engage in research and scholarship, and in general scholarly and
cultural interaction with New York University’s faculty and students. For more information about this
program, please click here.
As part of the collaboration between the Innocence Project and The Center, this position is a two-year
fellowship. At the end of the fellowship period, possible extension of full-time employment with the
Innocence Project will be discussed with the Innocence Project's Executive Director.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are
not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.
The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed
virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days
per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all
staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a dynamic thought leader and subject matter expert on racial injustice and the
intersection of race, civil rights, and criminal justice and wrongful conviction. The ideal candidate will have
experience and passion around teaching, training, and/or disseminating research on these topics to broad
audiences.
In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy +
compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project
employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our
staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought
partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Provide ongoing expertise, thought leadership, and strategic vision to various program directors and
executive leadership on the role of racial bias and discrimination in the administration of the
criminal legal system and the ways in which it contributes to the wrongful conviction of innocent
people. - Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with organizations, academics, researchers,
attorneys, organizers, policy advocates and other experts that specialize in the operation of racial
bias and discrimination in the criminal legal system and decision making. - Continuously monitor state and federal court decisions addressing novel and/or significant claims of
racial bias and discrimination in (and relating to) criminal justice and the wrongful conviction of
innocent people. - Continuously monitor emerging legal, historical, forensic and social science research and
scholarship, and policy landscape regarding the impact of racial bias on decision making especially
as applied to the criminal legal system and the wrongful conviction of innocent people. - Provide regular verbal and written updates, trainings and resources to IP and Center staff regarding
relevant research. - Produce lay and academic publications and original research on the role of race in wrongful
convictions, including co-publishing with NYU Center and IP. - Collaborate with IP Departments on cases, campaigns and strategies involving race, racial
bias/discrimination as they lead to wrongful conviction. - Collaborate with the NYU Center on research and thought leadership regarding race, racial
bias/discrimination as they lead to wrongful conviction. - Attend relevant trainings, conferences and conventions regarding the ways in which racial bias and
discrimination in the criminal legal system contributes to the wrongful conviction of innocent
people, bring these learnings into the IP’s work and position IP as a participant in and contributor to
these larger conversations.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- To align with NYU’s policy for visiting scholars, a J.D. degree and admission to practice in New York
or eligibility for membership in the NY bar via waiver within 6 months of start date is required - 8+ years of progressive responsibility in academia, policy advocacy and/or litigation in areas at the
intersection of racial justice, civil rights and criminal justice - A sophisticated analysis and knowledge of racial injustice in America, its history and manifestations,
and efforts to address it - Demonstrated history of collaboration with communities of color on race, criminal justice and civil
rights - Demonstrated project and time management skill, including organization, attention to detail, and
follow-through - Demonstrated experience in creative problem solving, strategic flexibility, and good judgment
- Experience with strategic planning
- Willingness to travel as necessary for speaking events, meetings, and conferences.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES
- Subject matter expertise in racial injustice and the intersections between criminal justice, civil rights
and race - Excellent written and oral communications skills, and the ability to effectively communicate complex
issues to diverse audiences - Excellent research and analytical skills
- Enthusiasm for the work of the IP and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to
public interest - Shares in the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity,
person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness - Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated
commitment to public interest - Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion,
equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS
The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits
package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k
plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense
reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in
meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds,
life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply.
Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial
status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim
status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.
Upon submission of your application you will be requested to complete an Equal Employment Opportunity
(EEO) survey. This survey is part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The
information you provide is voluntary and confidential. Completing the survey helps us track our progress in
creating a fair and equitable environment. This data is used for reporting purposes only. Please note, the
identities presented in the survey reflect federal language required by law. The Innocence Project
acknowledges that not all identities are included and any reference to gender explicitly refers to biological
sex. We recognize these terms are limited and we strive to humanize our internal practices. Your completion
of the survey is greatly appreciated.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply, please click 'Apply for this Job' below. Upload a resume titled with your name in this format (last
name_first name_resume). In the space provided, add a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and
the organization’s work. Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications.
Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential.
SALARY RANGE
Advisor: Grade 6 [Special Area Director] 127,500 - 150,000 Special Advisor:
Grade 7 [Specific Area Director, Special Advisor] 151,725 - 178,500 Salary commensurate with
experience.