Project Overview
The safety and justice unit (S&J) currently includes three Trust-operated projects (TOPs): the public safety performance project, which focuses on the criminal legal system; mental health and justice partnerships, which seeks to improve responses to people in behavioral health crisis; and civil legal system modernization, which provides state and local leaders with nonpartisan analysis and technical assistance so they can better understand court policies and processes, identify problems, and develop evidence-based solutions. The Project is currently developing new focus areas, to be launched in and beyond 2024. The research, strategy and development unit (RS&D) serves the entirety of S&J by producing research, supporting policy change strategies, and exploring issues for future work that will increase our reach and impact.

Position Overview
The senior associate, as part of the RS&D team, will help advance the project's goals by producing and managing timely, high-impact research and collaborating with colleagues who are focused on technical assistance, partnerships, communications, and other activities to improve the systems Americans rely on for safety and justice. Under direction of the senior manager, the senior associate will provide technical assistance in the development of new focus areas, including conducting field and literature reviews and environmental scans. The position involves extensive writing tailored to an educated lay audience and working with external partners to produce research and publications.

The ideal candidate will have an educational and employment background in social science research, knowledge of the legal system (including courts and other justice system components) and its intersection with other health and social systems, understanding of public policy, and experience working with projects involving many partners, complex issues and large, complex data sets.

The position, based in Pew's Washington, D.C. office, reports to the senior manager, RS&D, and is eligible for up to 60% telework.

Responsibilities

• Under direction of the senior manager, RSD, and in collaboration with project staff, identify and prioritize the most salient research questions for the project's portfolio.
• Collaborate with project staff and contracted partners to produce rigorous and timely research that will sharpen the national conversation and inform key stakeholders.
• Through environmental scans and other reviews of literature and practice, assist in the evaluation of potential new areas of focus for the project.
• Package research products into online and print publications, to include reports, briefs, web analyses and data visualizations that are salient to policy deliberations and easily understood by justice stakeholders, the media, advocates and the public.
• Contribute to the design and execution of national studies that analyze safety & justice trends, and/or oversee the work of contracted partners to conduct such research.
• Maintain a working knowledge of related subject matter research and practice, through participating in conferences, seminars and professional development activities.
• Work closely with communications staff to implement effective dissemination techniques, including written products, web content, and stakeholder convenings.
• Provide rapid-response research and analysis as needed by staff to respond to requests for information.
• Assist in the design and execution of policy and program evaluations, and/or oversee the work of contracted partners to conduct such research.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. Applicant should have completed significant coursework (or equivalent experience) in advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• At least four years of applicable experience in producing quantitative and qualitative research in a relevant field, with demonstrated understanding of at least one of the following areas: criminology, sentencing/courts, community supervision, jails, juvenile justice, corrections, emergency crisis response systems or behavioral health.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting complex data and using this analysis in the development of policy recommendations.
• Experience working with state policymakers, court and criminal justice system administrators, researchers and other safety & justice stakeholders is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in statistical software packages such as Stata, R, SAS or SPSS. Experience and proficiency in using qualitative software such as NVivo strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated time and project management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to think strategically and creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details and identify resources for projects.
• Interest in contributing to an inclusive working environment and collaborating with a diverse team of internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders.
• Acute political awareness, insight about the interests and needs of policymakers, and nonpartisan perspective and approach.

Travel

This position requires occasional overnight travel, approximately once every two to four months, for meetings and conferences.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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