Program Associate, Voting Rights and Elections Program

New York, NY

Full Time

Entry Level

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve constitutional protection in national security policies. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion. 

Position Overview:
Our Voting Rights and Elections Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel.

We seek a full-time Program Associate to join a cutting-edge, inter-disciplinary team working collaboratively to ensure that all U.S. citizens have free and equal access to the ballot box. The Program Associate will provide broad logistical support for the day-to-day operations of the program. Working in a team-based environment, the Program Associate is responsible for performing a broad array of administrative, logistical, and operational duties. The position also includes research and information gathering support. This is an entry-level position reporting to a designated program manager, although the Program Associate may be assigned to work with a variety of team members as needed.

Note: This position may be based at our offices in New York City or Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities: 

Analyze developments in the voting rights field for a wide array of applications.

Manage scheduling, expense reports and invoices, travel arrangements, and team events and logistics, and provide other logistical support for day-to-day program operations, with accuracy and timeliness.
Provide administrative and other support for research publications, federal and state advocacy, litigation, and other projects.
Organize internal and external meetings, including calendaring, distributing reference materials, timekeeping, note-taking, and following up with next steps.

Collect and synthesize information to draft outlines, memos, talking points and presentations, board reports, correspondence, and other communications.

Provide research, writing, fact-checking, and proofreading assistance to support preparation of articles, speeches, reports, op-eds, blog posts, and other organizational materials, with opportunities for named authorship.

Research and track voting rights bills and laws for inclusion in the Voting Laws Roundup.

Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Work collaboratively, respectfully, and productively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.

Experience and Qualifications: 

A bachelor’s degree and at least one year of work experience are required.

Careful attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness, and organization.

Ability to work productively under different management styles, and to seek and apply constructive feedback.

Willingness and flexibility to contribute as needed to advance the mission of the Voting Rights and Elections Program.

Drive and ability to take initiative, anticipate needs and solve problems, and complete tasks and projects with a high degree of focus and independence.

Strong ability to manage time and successfully multi-task in a deadline-driven environment.

Excellent writing, fact-checking, and proofreading skills.

Strong ability to conduct and accurately summarize legal, academic, and news-based research.

Experience and interest in politics, government, research, nonprofit administration, or a related field.

Enthusiasm to learn and support the work of the Voting Rights and Elections Program, including a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A high degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and tact.

Strong interpersonal skills and the desire and ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues within and external to the organization.

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.   

Position Start Date: Summer 2025

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is identified.

Application Instructions
To apply, visit >>LINK HERE<< and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) one writing sample (up to 10 pages), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references. Please feel welcome to include on your resume any work experience you believe helps demonstrate your fit for the role, even if it does not seem directly relevant (e.g., cashier, restaurant host, etc.). If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.   

Please, no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “Program Associate, Voting Rights & Elections Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

Compensation and Benefits:
This is a scaled position. The salary assigned for the scale is $56,000 - $69,500 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after the selected candidate graduated from undergraduate school. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401(k) plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks. 

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320. 

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.

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