Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Counsel

at Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

🏢 About Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) is a national leader in the movement to end extreme sentencing for children, with a unique focus on centering directly impacted individuals. Working here means joining a passionate team dedicated to dismantling youth life without parole and other harsh penalties through advocacy, litigation, and storytelling.

About This Role

As Policy Counsel, you'll lead state-level campaigns to ban extreme sentences for youth, drafting legislation and building coalitions with local advocates. Your work directly shapes laws that determine whether children receive second chances, making this role both legally rigorous and deeply impactful.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing a proposed bill in a target state, then meeting with coalition partners to refine messaging. You could draft testimony for a legislative hearing, followed by a strategy call with the communications team to align on press releases. Late afternoon might be spent tracking bill amendments and preparing technical assistance for a local advocate.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth Is Looking For

  • A lawyer with 3-5 years of experience in legislative advocacy and coalition building, ideally with a focus on criminal justice reform.
  • Proven ability to draft legislation and navigate state legislative processes, including negotiating with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong understanding of youth justice issues and the legal landscape around extreme sentencing (e.g., LWOP, juvenile transfer).
  • Excellent communication skills to translate complex legal concepts into persuasive advocacy materials for non-legal audiences.

📝 Tips for Applying to Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

1

Highlight specific state legislative campaigns you've led, including bill numbers and outcomes.

2

Showcase your experience working with directly impacted individuals or communities, as CFSY centers their voices.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with CFSY's existing campaigns (e.g., #SentencingKidsAsKids) and reference them in your cover letter.

4

Mention any experience with federal advocacy or cross-state coordination, as the role supports national efforts.

5

If you've drafted model legislation or policy briefs, attach samples or link to them in your resume.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your commitment to ending extreme sentences for youth and alignment with CFSY's mission.", "Concrete examples of legislative wins you've achieved through coalition building.", 'Ability to balance legal analysis with strategic messaging for diverse audiences.', 'Understanding of how racial and economic justice intersect with youth sentencing reform.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CFSY's website and recent reports, especially their model legislation and state scorecards.
  • → Read about the Supreme Court cases Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana, which are foundational to CFSY's work.
  • → Look into current state campaigns CFSY is leading (e.g., in Michigan, Pennsylvania) and their status.
  • → Follow CFSY's social media and news coverage to understand their messaging and recent wins.
Visit Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you successfully advanced a policy reform in a challenging political environment.
2 How would you engage a state legislator who is skeptical about banning juvenile life without parole?
3 What is your approach to building and maintaining coalitions with grassroots organizations?
4 Discuss a recent trend in youth sentencing law and how it might impact CFSY's advocacy.
5 How do you ensure that the voices of directly impacted individuals are centered in your policy work?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference CFSY's specific mission or campaigns.
  • Overemphasizing litigation experience when the role focuses on legislative advocacy.
  • Ignoring the importance of racial equity and youth voice in the cover letter or interview.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth!

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