Career Center

Law & Policy Associate, Cornell ILR Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative - HYBRID

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

At Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, we have an immediate opening for a Law & Policy Associate - Extension Associate. This role will be in the Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative in the NYC Extension/Outreach Division.

Our team:

The Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI) provides criminal records and employment-law training to job seekers who have been involved in the criminal legal system. We assist employers in rethinking their approach to hiring, engage in research to understand reentry practices, and influence policy makers and legislators on criminal justice reform.

What you will do:

In this role, you will:

• Manage and oversee CJEI's educational programming and lobbying efforts, including the strategic trajectory.
• Work with the CJEI director to create a strategy for the overall accomplishment of CJEI.
• Propose best practices for evaluating candidates with criminal records, employing justice-impacted individuals, educating people on criminal records and occupational licensing.
• Provide direct services to CJEI stakeholders, including training and onboarding for CJEI's Restorative Record Project.
• Contribute to the development of all content and programming through knowledge of emerging research, evidence-based practices, laws and regulations concerning employment of people with criminal records.
• Research topics including the Fair Credit Reporting Act; Ban the Box laws; Title VII legislation; sealing and expungement laws; occupational licensing requirements; federal bonding programs; decriminalization of marijuana; and negligent hiring.
• Integrate CJEI's Restorative Record Project with state legal requirements and workforce development systems.
• Work with the CJEI director and ILR marketing/communications team to continually upgrade the initiative's website to ensure the most current information is presented.
• Design and implement virtual (synchronous and asynchronous) training programs.
• Oversee data collection for CJEI's training programs and ensure consistency and accuracy within established procedures.
• Develop CJEI content and videos for the website as well as traditional and social media.
• Expand and maintain a database of federal, state, and local laws related to the employment of people with criminal records.
• Conduct outreach to and develop a database of key stakeholders, including justice-impacted individuals, employers, human resource professionals, community organizations, law enforcement, unions, and advocates.
• Conduct research and develop a database regarding funding opportunities at the intersection of the criminal legal system and employment.
• Provide background research for potential forums/conferences for employers, advocates, legislators and policy makers to discuss issues related to expanding opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.
• Attend reentry events, webinars, panels, forums, and conferences to stay abreast of latest trends regarding employment of justice-impacted individuals.
• Provide research and analysis on the best ways to reach target populations.
• Develop informational documents through knowledge of public policy initiatives at the state, federal, and local levels concerning employment of justice-impacted individuals.
• Assist the CJEI director in lobbying and fundraising efforts to elevate the impact of the initiative.
• Maintain a local, state, national network of collaborators and partners in the area of employment of people with criminal records.
• Provide technical oversight and management of work backlogs, the prioritization process and work scheduling and monitoring.
• Work with developers, management, and ILR School stakeholder units to ensure high levels of quality and timelines of projects' implementations.

The extension associate position is an academic, full-time, non-tenure track, term position with an initial appointment through December 31, 2024. The position may be reappointed based on recommendations by the program director and senior associate dean for outreach as well as available funding and work.

What we need:

• Advanced degree (master's, doctorate, or law degree) in policy, criminal legal system research or related field
• Knowledge on managing high quality, cutting-edge learning programs
• Knowledge of the criminal legal system
• Demonstrated case law and legislative history research ability (LexisNexis and Westlaw)
• Demonstrated writing ability (research and project reports, informational brochures, policy briefs, etc.)
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills (oral, interpersonal, etc.)
• Three years of experience working with people of diverse backgrounds, including criminal records.
• The ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
• One to three years of experience in developing and delivering educational resources and tools
• Experience with distance learning.
• Excellent database and computer skills, using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.), Email (mail merge, filters, folders, rules).

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Working knowledge of criminal records and employment law
• Litigation experience
• Lobbying experience
• 3+ years of experience in educational program management

ILR School appreciates employees by providing the opportunity to pilot a 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid schedule after a period of orientation and acclimation.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

ILR School Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $93,500.00 commensurate with experience and qualifications.

To Apply:

• Submit a CV
• Submit a letter of application describing your qualifications and research agenda, teaching and training experience
• Submit a diversity and inclusion statement

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.