Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Program Manager

For over two decades, Discovering Justice has been bringing students and communities together to examine the workings of the justice system, explore the ideals of justice, and prepare them to engage as active citizens. We believe in the power of the next generation to sustain our democracy. We value the belief that the justice system can and should work for everyone.

Discovering Justice’s Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Programs pair middle school students with legal professionals to learn about the judicial system, analyze a legal case, and prepare to argue persuasively in front of judges and jurors in federal and state courthouses across the Commonwealth. Through engaging weekly sessions, student attorneys develop the confidence and vital civic skills like perspective-taking, critical thinking, writing, and the public speaking skills necessary to become community leaders.

As the Program Manager, you'll be the driving force behind these two flagship programs that reach over 600 students and 300 partners a year, steering the program’s direction and enhancement. You'll not just be managing; you'll direct these programs in alignment with our core values, ensuring every step we take resonates with our mission and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Program Manager will develop and coordinate the effective implementation of the growing Fall Mock Trial and Spring Mock Appeal Programs, bolstering our strategic and administrative approach to the programs, for 30-40 teams of middle school students and legal mentors and 10-15 culminating events for both semesters. 

• Recruit, Steward and Manage a MTP Partners: Recruit, train, and manage program participants including teachers, legal partners, and courthouse staff across Massachusetts to effectively implement the program. Build effective teams through orientations, site visits, and targeted communications. For example, conduct orientations for new partners each semester to cover logistics, curriculum, and best practices for engaging with middle school students.
• Event and Project Operations:  Each semester, coordinate logistics for 10-14 cities hosting mock trial or appeal events with 50-500 attendees, ensuring an optimal experience for students, partners, families, and volunteers. Responsibilities include recruiting 300 community jurors, scheduling with courthouse staff, and preparing materials such as food, judge’s memos, and volunteer appreciation gifts.
• Data Mining and Management: Use technical skills to compile and present program operations, logistics, and results. For example, preparing a slideshow that highlights student participation numbers, attendance results, and qualitative feedback.
• Systems Management: Enhance program operations by developing and implementing strategic systems for organization and management. This includes streamlining sign-up processes for legal mentor and school teams, and tracking sponsorships and metrics for grant reporting.
• Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement: Drive program improvement through the development and refinement of SMART goals, data analysis, budgeting, and strategic vision. Gather feedback from staff, legal partners, students, and teachers to evaluate and enhance program operations. For example, observe program sessions, administer end-of-program surveys, and conduct follow-up discussions with key partners.
• Align Programs to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Cultural Diversity Standards: Ensure programs adhere to and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. Reflect commitment to cultural competence and equity in operations, partner training, and program content. For example, ensure the curriculum is trauma-informed to address the needs of students with negative experiences of the justice system.
• Curriculum Development / Instructional Design: To optimize student comprehension engagement, and outcomes, use feedback from partners and best practices to inform, create, update and enhance program materials and activities. For example, working with a team to develop a new case each year, updating the curriculum for facilitators, and developing activities that optimize student engagement and understanding.
• Program Administration: Coordinate and administer program logistics by ordering and distributing supplies, creating materials, managing team finances, and securing needed permissions. For example, preparing student supplies boxes prior to program start dates including t-shirts and student workbooks or creating administrative materials such as permission slips and MOUs.
• Program Fundraising: Actively cultivate relationships with the program's network, raising money from district partners as well as the legal community funders, enhancing the program's impact and growth. For example, working closely with the finance staff to identify grant opportunities and apply for said grants.
• Fellow Management: Mentor and support a fellow each semester who assists with program operations. Provide guidance on best practices and professional development. For example, meet with the fellow to discuss effective email communication before assigning them related tasks

We value a diverse workforce and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where we strive to embed equity and inclusion into everything we do.

• Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Even if you do not meet every qualification, we would love to still hear from you and encourage you to apply.
• We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color; women; and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.
• Discovering Justice prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Your morning might start off by meeting with a lead attorney from the District Attorney’s office to onboard them to the curriculum and share best practices for working with middle school students. Come afternoon, you could be driving to Framingham to observe an after school Mock Trial session at one of the middle schools and engage with students and partners. After observing the session, you meet with the Teacher Coordinator to debrief using a “look for” tool you created for observations. Your work day might wrap up with coordinating logistics for the culminating Mock Trial community event at the Springfield District Court, liasing with the Court Clerk and inviting city VIPs to be a part of such an impactful moment in middle school students' academic careers.

• Your Team: You will collaborate with two peers as Program Managers of different programs within a small staff.
• Your Supervisor: You will report to the Director of Programs and Partnerships.

Your Reports: Each year, the Mock Trial and Mock Appeal includes 30-35 middle school teams and their legal mentors. This means managing a volunteer network of roughly 200 legal partners and 50 teachers. Fellows and program associates will report to you.

Our office is situated within the iconic John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston. The location allows us to work closely with federal judges and other members of the Courthouse community to make the Courthouse a vibrant civic space. We embrace a hybrid work approach, combining the advantages of face-to-face interactions with the flexibility of remote work.

For this role, in-state travel to partner schools, legal firms or organizations, as well as final event courthouse locations is required. You will typically work at the Moakley Courthouse 2 days a week and travel on average 1 day a week for program visits and partner stewarding. During the Mock Trial and Mock Appeal culminating events at the end of December and in May, there will be increased expectations for travel and time commitment. Must have a valid driver’s license, and having a vehicle is preferred, but not necessary.

• 2-3 + years of relevant experience, ideally in program management
• Experience working within or with schools or districts as partners
• Experience working with middle school students, or in curriculum/instruction is ideal, but not a requirement
• Passion for and demonstrated knowledge of civic education. Direct experience leading or participating in mock trials or the knowledge of the U.S. justice system or is a plus, but not a requirement
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and a belief that the justice system can and should work for everyone
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Google Suite
• Strong organization skills; able to manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time
• Strong interpersonal skills

• Salary $60,000 - $75,000
• Professional Development: $500 annually after a 90-day introductory period.
• Health Benefits: 75% coverage on medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums; an FSA plan; and 75% reimbursement on medical insurance deductibles through the Health Reimbursement Arrangement.
• Life Insurance: Provided.
• Disability Insurance: Short and long-term coverage.
• Retirement Plan: 5% salary contribution to a TIAA-CREF 403(b) account.
• Leave: 15 vacation days (accruing at 1.25 days/month), 2 personal days, and 10 sick days (accruing at 0.83 days/month).
• Holidays: Paid leave for major holidays, including an extended break between Christmas and New Year's.
• Medical insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, plus dental, and vision insurance, all currently covered at 75% of the monthly premium; an FSA (Flexible Spending Account); as well as a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, in which Discovering Justice reimburses the last 75% of participants’ medical insurance deductible;
• Life insurance;
• Short and long-term disability insurance;
• An employee 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA-CREF, plus an employer contribution of 5% of your annual salary by Discovering Justice to a TIAA-CREF 403(b) plan account;
• Fifteen vacation days (accruing at 1.25 days/month);
• Two personal days;
• Ten sick leave days (accruing at 0.83 days/month);
• (19) Paid major holidays