Job  Board

Who We Are Partners for Justice (PFJ) was founded to transform public defense locally and across the United States, diminishing the effect of race and wealth on legal outcomes. This means empowering public defenders to assist clients with the underlying drivers of arrest and achieve better legal and non-legal outcomes, ensuring people can walk away from the criminal legal system with their rights, lives, and future intact. Native Americans and Alaskan Natives are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and can face incarceration rates up to seven times greater than White people. Given the many consequences of arrest outside the criminal case and the limits an arrest can place on economic mobility, this can be devastating for a person’s future. PFJ is committed to equity and inclusion in our Advocate selection process. We urge people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system or who share lived experiences with public defender clients to apply for Advocate placements. What You’ll Do as a Client Advocate As a Client Advocate (Advocate), you will work directly with public defender clients to: connect with community resources, prevent harm resulting from arrest, and reduce time spent incarcerated. Advocates act as collaborative champions within their office, modeling client-centered teamwork within public defense offices. Every day is different as an Advocate, whether working with clients, building awareness of expanded defender services, or collaborating with community partners. This is a full-time, in-person, entry-level position as an employee of the Tribal Defender’s Office in Pablo, Montana, and requires a two-year commitment. As an employee within your host office, you will receive local training, daily supervision, and support. Employment beyond the two-year period is at the discretion of the public defender’s office. During those two years, you will also participate in the PFJ program, a fellowship that offers skill development training, mental health and wellness support, career advising, and a community of Advocates around the country. As a Client Advocate, you will:

• Build relationships with clients to understand their challenges and priorities as well as identify potential consequences of an arrest
• Ensure seamless coordination across legal and social service teams
• Assist clients with issues such as (but not limited to):
  • Obtaining mental health or substance use treatment
  • Assessing eligibility and enrolling in public benefit
  • Maintaining or obtaining employment or driver’s licenses
  • Obtaining representation in housing, employment, or family matters
  • Preventing evictions and accessing emergency housing resources
• Develop partnerships with local agencies and community organizations to facilitate support and advocate for improved outcomes
• Partner with attorneys to draft persuasive narrative reports, support arguments, and provide relevant information and records
• Maintain detailed knowledge of court processes and requirements
• Advocate for clients with service providers, landlords, employers, prosecutors, judges, and others; tell clients’ stories in a compelling way that gets results
• Collect and report data about work and your achievements
• Be an active participant of the PFJ Client Advocate Fellowship Program

About the Fellowship Program This position is a two-year fellowship that provides the opportunity to make a concrete difference in individual lives and obtain real-world experience within the criminal legal system. Advocates gain negotiation, persuasion, and storytelling skills as well as public service experience. As part of the fellowship, PFJ provides supplemental benefits in addition to the benefits provided by the public defender’s office including: relocation assistance, mental health and wellness programming and funding, professional development support and funding, and access to training, mentors, and coaching that prepares Advocates for opportunities beyond their two-year placement. What You’ll Need

• Knowledge of and experience with Native American affairs or culture that will allow you to gain the trust and understanding of your clients and their families. This includes knowledge of the concept of historical trauma.
• Demonstrated interest in public service, criminal justice, civil rights, or social justice
• Collegiate-level writing and strong oral communication skills
• The ability to commit to staying in this position for two years
• While Advocates typically have a Bachelor’s degree, equivalent experience is equally valued
• Demonstrated interest in public service or social justice
• Should be members of a federally recognized tribe

Compensation and Benefits  The salary range is $40,000 to $50,000 annually depending on office placement. Benefits include medical coverage and paid time off, in addition to the benefits of the PFJ program described above. Additional compensation and benefits information will be provided during the interview process. How to Apply  To apply, visit www.partnersforjustice.org/apply. The application consists of a resume, a recent transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable), and several short writing samples (3-6 sentences). Please note that your responses to the writing samples will be used to assess your writing ability in addition to the substance of your responses. The PFJ selection process has three stages: application, first-round interview, and final interview. For questions please contact apply@partnersforjustice.org.