Careers

The North Carolina Justice Center is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity and protecting the rights of low-income individuals in North Carolina. For almost 30 years, the NC Justice Center has been on the front lines in the courts, at the legislature, in the media, and in communities advocating for positive changes for low-income and working North Carolinians. We hold government agencies, institutions, and other actors accountable to address the root causes of racism. We have produced major research reports that have influenced important public policy change in North Carolina. The NC Justice Center has played a primary role in most of the state’s major policy debates and successfully litigated hundreds of individual cases and class actions.

ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship 2025

The Role:

This position is only available through the Leading Edge Fellowship program. You may not contact the host North Carolina Justice Center to inquire about this position.

  • Position Title: Housing Equity Specialist
  • Stipend: $72,000 in the first year, $74,000
  • Benefits: Access to employer health insurance. Professional development funds and relocation funds provided by ACLS
  • Start Date: September 2025

The NC Justice Center is seeking a Housing Equity Specialist to enhance our capacity to conduct research and shed light on barriers to safe, affordable housing for people living with low incomes in North Carolina, and play a leading role in advancing a campaign for policy reform around these issues. The fellow will focus on tenant screening practices in North Carolina, which too often screen out tenants based on eviction and criminal records that are inaccurate, outdated, perpetuate racial disparities and undermine the state’s affordable housing goals. A fellow will have the opportunity to explore creative ways to gather and synthesize information about how tenant screening is conducted in this state, engage in ethical story gathering and storytelling, inform the public and decision makers about the scope of the problem, and use their research to support coalitions of tenant organizers, justice-impacted people and state partners advocating for fair chance and progressive housing policies.

Under the guidance and supervision of NC Justice Center staff, the fellow will participate in in-person and virtual meetings with key stakeholders including people who are directly impacted, advocates, state law makers, and local decision-makers. The fellow will be expected to engage people in a non-academic, community-centered manner in relaying information and ideas. The fellow will work with our communications specialist to leverage legal clinics, NC Justice Center events, and current events to collect and amplify stories of people affected by housing issues in North Carolina. The fellow will help collect stories using different tactics including surveys, in-person or video- recorded interviews, and by e-mail or letter writing. The stories will be amplified as part of coordinated campaigns through social media, earned media, micro-sites or our website.

Over the course of the fellowship, the fellow will:

  • Implement quantitative and/or qualitative research, including data collection and analysis.
  • Publish a comprehensive report on tenant screening practices in North Carolina that identifies barriers for tenants. The report will include stories of impacted individuals.
  • Develop model policy language for state decision makers, and local decision makers in two to three target localities.
  • Disseminate research findings and policy recommendations to the general public, members, and partners through written reports and blogs, visualizations, and other means.

The fellowship tenure is 24 consecutive months, with an expected time commitment of approximately 37.5 hours per week.

Responsibilities and tasks:

  • Conduct research and produce a comprehensive report on the landscape of affordable housing in NC, with a focus on tenant screening practices, including barriers, challenges, and economic impacts.
  • Develop policy recommendations and models for best practices.
  • Facilitate high-quality dialogue among, and between, directly impacted people, decision-makers, and other stakeholders about the impact of identified barriers.
  • Develop model policy language for state decision makers, and local decision makers in two to three target localities. The policy recommendations will be informed by impacted tenants.
  • Work with statewide housing coalitions, advocates, and other key stakeholders to inform the research and advocacy and share information learned.
  • Work with NCJC staff to develop a campaign plan, identifying strategies, tactics, targets and stakeholders, to advance policy change.
  • Participate in NCJC’s staff meetings, staff training, working groups, race equity initiatives, and other events and activities.
  • Other projects around housing policies may be assigned, depending on available time, and interest of the fellow.

Qualifications:

  • PhD in any field of the humanities or interpretive social sciences. Read more about eligible fields here.
  • Experience with gathering and analyzing qualitative data.
  • Commitment to social justice.
  • Strong analytical, writing and oral and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Project management skills, including managing project timelines and documenting project progress.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred:

  • Experience engaging in racial justice and gender equity efforts.
  • Knowledge of or interest in affordable housing policies and issues.
  • Experience or familiarity with participatory democracy, participatory action research, and/or popular education.
  • Experience writing educational materials for a nonacademic audience.

To Apply:

Human Resources Administrator

To Apply: Submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter (both in Microsoft Word) to Recruiter@ncjustice.org. Reasonable accommodation is available.

  • Application Deadline: Recruiting Until Filled. Screening will begin immediately.
  • Location: Hybrid (Raleigh, NC)
  • Department: Human Resources
  • Hiring Range: $58,000-$62,000
  • Reports to: HR Director
  • Union Status: Non-Union

The Role:

The Human Resources Administrator is the professional who manages the day-to-day administrative support and operational functions of the NC Justice Center Human Resources Department. This role focuses on the smooth execution of day-to-day activities and supports both employees and management. Effective performance of this job requires a person who is an effective communicator and passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Maintain and update employee records in the HRIS.
  • Manage Worker Compensation and Unemployment Insurance claims
  • Process payroll (in collaboration with the Finance Department) including tracking attendance and leave.
  • Manage day-to-day benefits administration.
  • Assist with the recruitment process by posting job ads, scheduling interviews, and preparing offer letters.
  • Provide general administrative support.
  • Coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
  • Respond to employee inquiries regarding HR policies, benefits, and procedures.
  • Support the implementation of HR initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies and employment laws.
  • Prepare HR metrics reports and analyze data for decision-making.
  • Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or similar degree
  • Two years of general HR management experience working in an HR Department
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
  • Excellent problem-solving acumen
  • Good attention to detail, accuracy and high accountability standards
  • Working knowledge of North Carolina state and federal employment laws, along with HR best practices
  • Proactive and DEIB approach to HR management
  • Ability to consistently meet deadlines
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools
  • Intermediate proficiency with HRIS, applicant tracking and online payroll systems
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Customer service expertise
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism
  • A commitment to social justice

Licenses and Certifications:

  • SHRM-CP certification is preferred

Preferred Skills:

  • Graphic design and digital form creation

Physical Requirements:

The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing sedentary tasks at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings. 

Legal Internship

The North Carolina Justice Center is seeking three law student interns to help us carry out our mission. This opportunity is for the summer of 2025.  This is a hybrid opportunity where interns will be required to work in the office at least two days per week. We will be reviewing applications in early December 2024, we will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis, positions will be open until filled.

The Role:

Legal interns work with NC Justice Center staff on a variety of issues: 

  • Legal research and writing
  • Litigation support
  • Drafting model legislation
  • Legislative research
  • Assistance with lobbying efforts
  • Research for policy reports or briefs
  • Communication with clients and constituents
  • Other related legal duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Legal interns must have a college undergraduate degree and complete at least one year of an accredited law school. Strong writing and analytical skills and ability to work with others are critical. Spanish proficiency is desirable.

Compensation:

The North Carolina Justice Center is a non-profit organization entirely dependent on grants and donations, consequently we encourage candidates to apply for funding through their schools and explore alternate funding opportunities. Nevertheless, the North Carolina Justice Center provides limited funding to interns based on needs.

To apply:

This position is open immediately. To apply please submit your click the following link:

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/2859544/North-Carolina-Justice-Center/2025-Legal-Internship

The North Carolina Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer:

The NC Justice Center is is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, natural hair styles, or other status as protected by State and Federal laws. It is our intention to promote the full realization of equality in opportunity and employment.