Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Justice Policy Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

A Justice Policy Assistant is a foundational role within organizations dedicated to shaping a more fair, effective, and equitable justice system. This position serves as a critical support hub for the policy and advocacy team, bridging the gap between in-depth research, legislative action, and public engagement. The ideal individual in this role is passionate about social justice and possesses a keen analytical mind, enabling them to track legislative developments, synthesize complex information, and help craft the materials that drive policy change. They are the engine that helps power advocacy efforts by providing the research, analysis, and logistical support necessary to influence policymakers and mobilize stakeholders around key justice reform initiatives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Recent Graduate (Public Policy, Criminology, Political Science)
Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Legislative Aide or Intern
Research Assistant

Advancement To:

Justice Policy Analyst
Policy Advisor
Program Manager, Justice Reform
Government Affairs Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Communications Associate
Community Organizer or Advocate
Grants and Development Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Monitor, track, and thoroughly analyze state and federal legislation, administrative regulations, and court rulings related to criminal justice, juvenile justice, and civil rights.
Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research on a wide range of justice system issues, including sentencing reform, policing practices, pretrial detention, and reentry programs.
Prepare comprehensive written materials such as policy briefs, research memos, factsheets, public testimony, and formal comments to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
Draft, edit, and proofread a variety of content for different audiences, including blog posts, op-eds, social media content, and website updates to support advocacy campaigns.
Provide direct and substantive support to senior policy staff in preparation for legislative hearings, high-level stakeholder meetings, and public-speaking engagements.
Assist in the development and tactical execution of advocacy strategies designed to advance justice reform initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels.
Attend and provide detailed summaries of coalition meetings, legislative committee hearings, community forums, and other relevant events to keep the team informed of key developments.
Maintain and meticulously update internal databases and tracking systems for legislation, key stakeholder contacts, media coverage, and research archives.
Respond to information requests from policymakers, partner organizations, media representatives, and the general public in a timely, professional, and accurate manner.
Collaborate closely with communications and digital teams to translate complex policy concepts into accessible and compelling materials for public education and mobilization campaigns.
Support the planning and logistics of key events, including policy briefings for legislative staff, expert panel discussions, and community town halls.
Analyze raw data from government agencies and academic sources to identify trends, racial and economic disparities, and the potential impact of proposed policies.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with legislative staff, government agency officials, coalition partners, and community leaders to foster collaboration.
Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and donor reports by providing substantive information, data, and narratives on policy work and achievements.
Review and synthesize academic studies, government reports, and other emerging research to support and strengthen the organization's official policy positions.
Contribute to the development of the organization’s annual policy agenda by researching emerging justice issues and identifying strategic opportunities for impact.

Secondary Functions

Provide administrative and scheduling support to the policy team, including coordinating meetings, preparing materials, and taking detailed minutes.
Assist with the onboarding, training, and day-to-day supervision of interns or fellows within the policy department.
Manage and organize digital and physical files for policy research and legislative tracking to ensure accessibility, accuracy, and version control.
Participate in internal cross-departmental meetings to ensure strategic alignment between policy, communications, legal, and development efforts.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer emerging questions from senior leadership or coalition partners.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by identifying useful datasets and improving data collection processes.
Collaborate with other departments to translate advocacy needs into concrete policy research questions and analytical projects.
Participate in strategic planning sessions and team meetings to contribute to the overall direction and evaluation of advocacy campaigns.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Policy Research & Analysis: Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex information on legal and policy issues from varied sources.
Legislative & Regulatory Tracking: Proficiency in using tools like LexisNexis, Westlaw, FiscalNote, or state/federal legislative websites to monitor policy developments.
Exceptional Writing & Editing: Superior writing skills for a variety of formats, including formal reports, persuasive public-facing articles, and concise internal memos.
Data Analysis (Qualitative & Quantitative): Experience collecting and analyzing data to support policy arguments; strong proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets is essential, with familiarity with statistical software (like SPSS, Stata, or R) being a significant plus.
Public Speaking & Presentation: The ability to clearly, confidently, and persuasively communicate complex information to diverse audiences, from legislative staff to community groups.
Project Management: Competency in managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously using organizational tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) and a systematic approach.

Soft Skills

Commitment to Social & Racial Justice: A deep and genuine passion for and demonstrated commitment to advancing equity and reforming the justice system.
Collaboration & Teamwork: A proven ability to work effectively, respectfully, and constructively as part of a mission-driven team and with external coalition partners.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: A thorough and precise approach to research, writing, and data handling to ensure accuracy, credibility, and professionalism.
Adaptability & Initiative: The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and proactively identify opportunities and solve problems without constant supervision.
Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Excellent verbal communication and relationship-building skills for engaging with a wide range of personalities and professional levels with diplomacy and respect.
Resilience and Discretion: The capacity to handle sensitive or difficult subject matter and confidential information with maturity and sound judgment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field or a Juris Doctor (JD)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Public Policy
Political Science
Criminology or Criminal Justice
Sociology
Law
Public Administration
African-American Studies or Ethnic Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of relevant experience.

Preferred: Experience working in a legislative office (state or federal), a government agency, or a non-profit advocacy organization focused on criminal justice, civil rights, or related policy issues. Experience in a role that required significant research, writing, and analysis is highly valued.