ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Investigator in the National Prison Project of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, or New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. This is a two-year term-limited position.

The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. The Project has successfully litigated on behalf of incarcerated people in more than 25 states, and is the only organization litigating conditions of confinement cases nationwide. Our priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving health care, eliminating violence and maltreatment, and increasing oversight and accountability in prisons, jails, and other places of detention. We also work to reverse the policies that have given the United States the highest incarceration rate in the world and led to extreme over-representation of people of color in the incarcerated population.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director for Immigration Detention, the Investigator will conduct investigations, interviews, facility visits, and research to support the Project's litigation and advocacy efforts, with a particular focus on immigration detention.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

Plan and conduct investigations of conditions and compliance in detention facilities, including visiting and inspection of facilities
Interview incarcerated individuals, detention facility administrators and staff, and other stakeholders, both in-person and remotely
Correspond with people in detention facilities, jails and prison, identify any areas related to our class action cases and areas of concern, suggest responses to correspondence, and under the supervision of an attorney, draft outgoing correspondence and advocacy
Draft surveys and interview guides to assess detention facility conditions and programs
Locate, review, and analyze correctional and medical records and other documents and conduct other relevant factual research to support investigations and litigation (e.g. review production of government documents in Freedom of Information Act cases)
Draft and edit reports about investigation findings
Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of case details
Attend and participate in case meetings
Work with attorneys in supporting the work of experts in our matters
Review and provide feedback on draft correctional policies, memoranda, and other documents
Draft advocacy letters on behalf of clients and class members under the supervision of an attorney
Provide training and onboarding support for employees as needed (e.g. train attorneys and/or co-counsel to conduct class member interviews)
Provide administrative and logistical support related to investigations and facility visits, including coordinating travel, organizing documents, and preparing materials, and assisting with processing outgoing mail and surveys as needed

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to gather, review, and synthesize information from multiple sources and identify key findings.
Effective interpersonal and interviewing skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and navigate sensitive conversations
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to clearly document findings, prepare reports, and adapt writing for different audiences