Justice Matters’ mission is to bring about racially just schools by developing and promoting education policy rooted in community vision.

Education policy will promote racial justice in schools only if it is shaped by a powerful vision for what such schools look like. Such a vision must be rooted in an understanding that low-income communities of color have wisdom, values and perspectives that contribute a great deal to racially just, high-quality schools. Such a vision must embrace the aspirations that low-income communities of color have for their children and communities. And such a vision must be informed by research and scholarship that is grounded in an analysis of institutional racism and that is conducted by scholars of color. When our school system is shaped by such a vision, it will provide low-income students of color with the education they deserve and will provide all students with a more relevant, holistic, compassionate, and profound learning experience.

Justice Matters calls our vision for education “REAL Education for Minds & Souls,” or “REAL Education” for short.

REAL education is poetry and scholarship, hopes and dreams, numbers and letters, technology and literature, arts and crafts, fútbol and basketball, running and jumping, thinking and learning. REAL Education is children, families, elders and communities….
Drinking knowledge like water….

REAL Education is a vision for education that goes beyond the limitations of our current public education system which doesn’t value our multi cultural, multi-generational and multi-lingual communities.

REAL Education is based on values of racial and economic justice, and therefore, devotes explicit attention to making sure that schools prepare students of color, immigrant students, and low-income students for all aspects of their future.

[ Click here to view complete vision ]

Research & Policy Work
Justice Matters conducts research and policy analysis both to uncover educational injustice, and also to investigate places that are providing a racially just and meaningful education to low-income students of color. Our research and analysis leads to the development of policy that will bring about the kind of schools that communities of color dream of for their children.

To give input into Justice Matters policy thinking, click here.

Media/Public Education
Justice Matters use public education strategies to build hope and excitement about racially just schools, showing how wonderful schools for low-income communities and communities of color can be. We also create media and educational materials about the policies that will spread these schools throughout the system. We use public education strategies to create outlets for community members to express their voices and perspectives about what our schools should look like and accomplish.

Campaigns & Action
Justice Matters develops and provides support for campaigns in collaboration with organized community groups of parents, youth, and teachers throughout the state of California. These campaigns focus on winning changes in school district or state policy. We also work with coalitions, advocacy organizations, politicians, and policy makers to push for policy change.

Associate Director

Justice Matters' mission is to bring about racially just schools by developing and promoting education policy rooted in community vision. Justice Matters (JM) uses three strategies to achieve our mission:

1. Research and the development of policy ideas aligned with community
   aspirations.
2. Public education and media relations to increase awareness and understanding of a community-based policy agenda.  
3. Campaigns and other action to achieve policy change.

Position Summary

The Associate Director works closely with the Executive Director and has major responsibility in three areas: development, finances, and program management. The Associate Director must be able to think systemically and strategically about development and program so as to help Justice Matters fulfill its mission as fully as possible.

The Associate Director will assume a critical leadership position as Justice Matters enters into a particularly exciting period. An executive transition is currently in process, and the current Associate Director will be assuming the Executive Director role. The new Associate Director will work with the new Executive Director to develop a partnership and form a leadership team.

Justice Matters has recently been approached with a number of very exciting program opportunities and the Associate Director will play a key role in bringing in the funds needed to address these opportunities as well as making sure that program plans are carefully developed so that the organization can have the most strategic impact without over-extending itself.

Specific Responsibilities:

Additional responsibility areas may develop or current ones may change as our organizational work plan adjusts to help meet our mission. Key responsibilities include:

• Working with the Executive Director to create and execute JM's development plan. Execution of the development plan will include: conducting prospect research, developing relationships with funders, conceptualizing and writing grant proposals, letters of interest, reports, and other fundraising materials.
• Overseeing the development of organizational budgets, making sure that financial reports are accurate, and making sure that organizational expenditures stay within resources.
• Providing program management through providing problem-solving coaching and support to program staff, making sure that program plans are in line with capacity and resources, troubleshooting; participating in program development, and making sure that programs are coming together in synergistic ways.
• Contributing to the overall health of the organization by forming part of the JM team, meeting organizational expectations, and working in line with our mission and values

Desired Experience and Skills

• Passionate about equity and strong commitment to racial justice issues, especially as they relate to education
• Ability to think systemically and strategically about development and program
• Minimum of three years development experience
• Prior experience with on-the ground program work, program development and management
• Prior experience with finances and operations
• Demonstrate strong writing skills
• Basic computer skills
• Experience with organizational development work is desirable Salary and Benefits

Hours

• Full -time

Salary and Benefits

• $65,000-75,000 (determined by relevant experience)
• Full health benefits (medical, dental, vision) for employee and dependents
• Retirement benefits
• Paid vacation and sick time

How to Apply

Please send cover letter* and resume to:
Olivia Araiza, Executive Director
Justice Matters
605 Market St., Ste. 1350, San Francisco, CA  94105
associatedirector@justicematters.org
(415) 442-0994 fax

**The cover letter should address why you are interested in the position and how your professional experience matches the job qualifications.

Justice Matters is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
People of color, low-income people, immigrants, and parents are encouraged to apply.

-Wade Nobles