Job Description

Organization Overview

Memphis Crime Beat is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, historically powered by dedicated volunteers. Our mission is to reduce crime in Memphis by tracking the "Life of a Crime" and applying performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of our law enforcement and justice systems. Our Court Watch Program plays a pivotal role in this mission, with volunteers attending court sessions to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the justice system, raise awareness of these issues, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive solutions.

To advance our mission and expand the Court Watch Program, we are seeking a dynamic, self-motivated Court Watch Program Manager to lead volunteer recruitment, training, and coordination while fostering partnerships and amplifying our impact.

Position: Court Watch Program Manager

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Memphis, TN (hybrid work options available)

Salary Range: $65,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience

Note: As a small, growing nonprofit, we currently offer a competitive salary without traditional benefits, but we are committed to supporting our team through flexibility, professional growth, and meaningful impact.

Role Summary

The Court Watch Program Manager will lead and grow Memphis Crime Beat’s Court Watch Program, independently overseeing all aspects of volunteer management, training, and coordination. This role requires a self-starter who can work autonomously to scale the program from approximately 10 active volunteers to 60, develop robust training and communication tools, and build partnerships with local universities and community stakeholders. The Program Manager will also collaborate with our research team to analyze volunteer observations and communicate findings to improve the justice system, while providing ongoing mentorship and support to volunteers.

Responsibilities:

Program Development & Training:

• Design and implement a comprehensive training program for Court Watch volunteers to ensure consistent, high-quality observation and reporting in court settings.
• Develop tools and systems to communicate with volunteers and track their observations effectively.

Volunteer Recruitment & Growth:

• Recruit and onboard volunteers from across Shelby County to expand the program from 10 to 60 active volunteers.
• Build and maintain relationships with local universities to attract student volunteers and foster long-term partnerships.

Volunteer Management:

• Manage volunteer schedules to ensure consistent court coverage.
• Organize and facilitate monthly volunteer meetings, including inviting guest speakers to enhance engagement and education.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, encouragement, and support to volunteers to maintain high morale and retention.

Data & Collaboration:

• Work closely with the research team to share volunteer findings, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the justice system.
• Contribute to reports and recommendations based on volunteer observations to advocate for systemic improvements.

Communication & Outreach:

• Provide content for social media posts to highlight the Court Watch Program’s impact and attract community support.
• Act as an ambassador for Memphis Crime Beat, representing the organization at community events and meetings to promote the program.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in program management, volunteer coordination, or community organizing, preferably in a nonprofit or justice-related field.
• Experience developing training programs or educational materials is a plus.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for mentoring volunteers, building partnerships, and engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in creating tools or systems for tracking and communication (e.g., databases, CRMs, or scheduling platforms).
• Familiarity with social media content creation and community outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and drive projects to completion with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable building and scaling programs from the ground up in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Connections within Shelby County or the ability to build relationships with local universities, community groups, and stakeholders.
• Passion for Memphis Crime Beat’s mission to reduce crime and improve the justice system.

Availability: Ability to commit to a full-time role, with flexibility for occasional evening or weekend events (e.g., volunteer meetings or community outreach).

Teamwork: Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with volunteers, staff, and external partners, while also thriving in independent work settings.

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, criminal justice, public administration, or education) preferred.

Expectations

• Proactively lead the Court Watch Program with initiative, developing and executing strategies to meet program goals without requiring extensive oversight.
• Maintain a professional and supportive environment for volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration and commitment to the mission.
• Meet program growth targets, including expanding the volunteer base to 60 active participants within the agreed timeline.
• Uphold Memphis Crime Beat’s policies and values, including confidentiality and ethical conduct.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on program progress, volunteer engagement, and partnership development.

Benefits

• Opportunity to drive systemic change in Memphis’s justice system, directly impacting community safety and equity.
• Flexible hybrid work environment to support work-life balance.
• Access to professional development opportunities, including training and networking with local universities, community leaders, and justice system stakeholders.
• Work alongside passionate volunteers and board members in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Competitive salary to support your contributions to our mission.

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