Compensation: $50,000-$70,000 Salary levels are guided by PJI’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on years of relevant or direct experience.

Start Date: ASAP

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana. This is an in-person office. Occasional travel is required.

Deadline: Position is open until filled. Priority will be given to applications received before September 15th, 2026.

About PJI: The 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 that embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.

Summary of Position

The Storyteller works closely with the Associate Director of Storytelling to build stories that fight belief systems and the dominant narratives and policies that have led to the acceptance of state violence and the criminalization of people, Black people in particular, as a legitimate, acceptable, and effective social and economic government project. The Storyteller will translate interviews and complex historical information, public records, and genealogical research into compelling, accessible campaigns to educate the public and shift cultural narratives. The Storyteller will be experienced in graphics and/or animation.

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.

Individuals who are Louisiana natives, or who are otherwise from rural communities in the South, are encouraged to apply.

You will be a great fit if you work hard, possess a deep commitment to dismantling harmful narratives that dehumanize incarcerated people, and believe that people with lived experience are central to storytelling/narrative change work.

PJI focuses on a handful of key issue areas. Among them, you should be committed to ending the death penalty and ending mass incarceration in Louisiana.

Responsibilities of the Position

The Storyteller will:

• Work closely with the Associate Director of Storytelling and in collaboration with all PJI teams.

• Build and Maintain Storytelling Infrastructure: Develop systems to store, categorize, and track all assets related to Storytelling.

• Graphic or Animation Design: Use imagery to tell complex and nuanced stories in ways that are engaging and effective.

• Content Creation: Work with the Associate Director and other staff on the production of multimedia content including but not limited to articles, podcasts, short films, zines, reports, and social media campaigns.

• Archival research: Conduct archival and genealogy research, make records requests, analyze information, and keep excellent records and organizing systems.

• Narrative Strategy: Contribute and develop strategic messaging that builds support for PJI’s decarceration work and an end to the death penalty.

• Interviewing & Research: Assist in conducting ethical, trauma-informed interviews with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, experts, and communities.

• Advocacy & Campaigns: Collaborate closely across all PJI departments to transform individual stories into tools for legislative action and community mobilization.

• Support Communications and Fundraising: Assist Communications Associate and Development department in creating materials when needed.

Key Qualifications

• 2-4 years graphic design and/or animation experience

• 2-4 years in journalism, mitigation or investigation, communications, or multimedia content creation, ideally with a focus on social or legal justice.

• Strong writing, graphic design, and the ability to synthesize complex data.

Exceptional candidates will have/be:

• From Louisiana

• Narrative change experience

• A deep commitment to racial justice, decarceration, and ending the death penalty in Louisiana. Centering the lived experiences of those targeted by the criminal legal system.

• Ability to translate materials for diverse audiences, including young people, especially with school curriculum development.

• Animation experience

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is $50,000-70,000. Salary levels are guided by PJI’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and are based on years of relevant or direct experience.

• Flexible paid time off, most Federal holidays, Fridays in August, and winter holiday season off.

• Hybrid work model: In-office Monday – Wednesday, with the option to work from home Thursday – Friday when feasible.

• 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.

How to Apply

Submit an application package containing all 4 parts of the following:

1. Cover letter. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages, and should include (but is not limited to): a. How your personal and professional experience intersects with people impacted by the carceral system and racism (both); b. The skills or expertise you are most excited to bring to this position.

2. Resume or CV

3. Creative Work. Provide a sample or portfolio of creative work

4. Email address for 3 References: a. 2 people who can speak to your professional skills. b. 1 person who can speak to how you think about or engage in racial justice issues. (this can be family, friend, colleague, mentor etc.)

Candidates will not be considered if all 4 application requirements, including subparts, are not met.

Please upload the application package to https://airtable.com/appBJSL6Uja6y1l9y/shrvIw1ETm7Ayir7g.\

Deadline: The priority application deadline is September 15th. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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.