The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization 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's approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse. PJI challenges the notion that prisons keep us safe, fights for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison, blocks harmful legislation, pushes for dignity-advancing legislation, co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people, advances the voices of survivors of violence, and challenges the death penalty.
Summary of Position: The Storyteller works closely with the Associate Director of Storytelling to build stories that fight belief systems, dominant narratives, and policies that have led to the acceptance of state violence and the criminalization of people, Black people in particular. 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, and will be experienced in graphics and/or animation.
Responsibilities: Work closely with the Associate Director of Storytelling and in collaboration with all PJI teams; build and maintain storytelling infrastructure, developing systems to store, categorize, and track all storytelling assets; graphic or animation design, using imagery to tell complex and nuanced stories; content creation, including articles, podcasts, short films, zines, reports, and social media campaigns; archival and genealogy research, records requests, analysis, and record-keeping; narrative strategy and strategic messaging supporting PJI's decarceration work and an end to the death penalty; assist in conducting ethical, trauma-informed interviews with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, experts, and communities; collaborate across departments to transform individual stories into tools for legislative action and community mobilization; support communications and fundraising materials as 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 be from Louisiana, have narrative change experience, a deep commitment to racial justice, decarceration, and ending the death penalty in Louisiana, the ability to translate materials for diverse audiences including young people, and animation experience.
Compensation & Benefits: $50,000-$70,000, guided by PJI's Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on years of relevant or direct experience. Flexible paid time off, most federal holidays, Fridays in August, and winter holiday season off; hybrid model (in-office Monday-Wednesday); 24 office closure days; 16 days of PTO initially, 25 after 3 years; 100% payment of health insurance including partner and dependent; Health and Dependent Care FSA; 5% 401k match after 6 months; short and long-term disability; life insurance. This role is a bargaining unit position represented by NOLSW. Start date ASAP; occasional travel required.
Closing date: 2026-09-15
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit an application package containing all 4 parts: 1. Cover letter (no more than 3 pages) addressing how your personal and professional experience intersects with people impacted by the carceral system and racism, and the skills or expertise you are most excited to bring to this position; 2. Resume or CV; 3. Creative Work — a sample or portfolio of creative work; 4. Email addresses for 3 references (2 who can speak to your professional skills, 1 who can speak to how you think about or engage in racial justice issues). Candidates will not be considered if all 4 application requirements, including subparts, are not met. Upload the application package to https://airtable.com/appBJSL6Uja6y1l9y/shrvIw1ETm7Ayir7g. The priority application deadline is September 15th, 2026; applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.