Compensation: $47,000- $60,000 commensurate with skills and experience.

Start Date: Flexible, preferred on or before April 1, 2026.

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana. Frequent travel is required.

Deadline: Application deadline is rolling, preferred by March 1, 2026.

About PJI

Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization that stands at the forefront of the fight for the liberation, freedom, and autonomy of Black people and all those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration.

PJI moves life-changing work:

Because racism and mass incarceration are entrenched and pervasive foes, PJI’s approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse.

We challenge the notion that prisons keep us safe and that people with convictions should have no rights. We fight for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison. PJI blocks harmful legislation and pushes for dignity-advancing legislation. PJI partners on and co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people. We advance the voices of survivors of violence and challenge the death penalty. Our work builds powerful authentic stories, pushes counter-narratives, and changes discourse. 

The world that PJI pushes for is one where the legal system recognizes freedom and dignity as universal rights and embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.

Summary of Position

The Administrative Coordinator supports efficient day-to-day operations, provides flexible administrative support organization-wide, and serves as the primary staff member overseeing reception-related responsibilities. The individual in this role often serves as the first point of interaction for clients, family members, stakeholders, and the general public. The Administrative Coordinator collaborates closely with leadership and other team members on a range of administrative tasks and special projects that enhance operational efficiency and contribute to PJI’s programmatic work.

Essential Functions 

• Conduct building reception operations including daily open/close procedures, greeting guests, answering and transferring phone calls, adding funds for various phone providers, submitting call requests, monitoring and returning voicemails, handling incoming mail and packages, and ensuring compliance with building security and health safety policies  
• Consistently demonstrate warmth, empathy, and a helpful demeanor as a front-line representative of the office with clients, family members, and others 
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and coordinate repairs and maintenance for shared printers, postage meters, phone systems, and other office equipment
• Monitor office supply levels, handle replacement supply orders, and restock supplies in common areas
• Perform event and meeting preparation tasks including setting up spaces and assisting with logistics (e.g., printing materials, scheduling meetings, ordering food/beverage items, providing health safety guidance, etc.) 
• Oversee and implement various office systems (e.g. “kitchen duty” volunteers and front desk scheduling), in coordination with the Director of Administration
• Support the creation, evaluation, and implementation of operational policies, procedures, and systems to streamline workflows and enhance organizational performance
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors as needed
• Handle legal mail verification, in collaboration with lawyers and paralegals 
• Assist paralegals and other staff with scanning, intake processing (including returning intake phone calls), and file management projects as needed  
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or leadership 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

None 

In-Office Policy 

Administrative Coordinator oversees office reception duties and incoming phone calls, requiring a consistent in-office presence Monday through Friday 8:30am to 430pm. 

Who We Are Looking For

This work is hard on every level. PJI optimistically and strategically fights for a better future and requires staff who are committed to one another and to people who are incarcerated or otherwise harmed by the criminal legal system.

PJI is committed to hiring smart, talented, skilled people who have directly experienced the issues that we fight against. People who are formerly incarcerated, survivors of violence, working class, LGBTQ+, and people of color, particularly Black, are all strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Qualifications 

• At least 1 year of professional experience in an office environment 
• At least 1 year of professional experience managing high-volume phone systems 
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel 
• High degree of professionalism with a customer service and client-centric orientation 
• Good time management, organizational, and communication skills
• Positive, solutions-focused attitude and strong self-motivation 
• Commitment to working with diverse groups of people and marginalized communities 
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to challenging situations or changing circumstances
• Strong problem-solving abilities  
• Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds

Exceptional candidates will have: 

• Experience with productivity applications including Slack and Airtable 
• Understanding of issues related to race, poverty, and the systems that create and maintain mass incarceration 
• Lived experience related to mass incarceration, poverty, or racism 
• Experience, training, or demonstrated interest in the legal field 

How to Apply

Submit an application package containing the following:

1.     Cover letter. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages, should detail the skills or expertise that you are most excited to bring to this position, and must include how your personal and professional experience intersects with people impacted by the carceral system and racism (both).

2.     Resume or CV

3.     Email address for 3 References:

• • 2 people who can speak to your professional skills.
  • 1 person who can speak to how you think about or engage in racial justice issues (this can be family, friend, colleague, mentor etc.).

Please send the application package via email to Amber Thorpe, Director of Administration, at athorpe@defendla.org.

Deadline: Rolling, preferred by March 1, 2026.

PJI is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees. All employment decisions at PJI are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, past or present military service, history of incarceration, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. PJI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. PJI encourages applicants of all ages and does not discriminate based against formerly incarcerated individuals.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is $47,000- $60,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

**Salary levels are based on years of experience and are set by PJI’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Flexible paid time off, most Federal holidays, Fridays in August, and winter holiday season off.
• • 24 office closure days (almost 5 work weeks)
  • 16 days of Paid Time Off initially; 25 days after 3 years
• 100% payment of health insurance (including partner and dependent insurance)
• Health and Dependent Care FSA
• 5% 401k match after 6 months of employment
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Union representation: The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW) represents eligible employees at PJI. This role is a bargaining unit position.