Location: Bay Area, California, New York, Washington D.C. or remote telecommute
Reports to: Research and Publications Director
Start Date: ASAP – Position open until filled
Position type: Full time, exempt

Background:
Founded in 2016, the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ), a project of the Tides Center, is a multi-state organization that aims to win new safety priorities in large incarceration states across the country. At a time of immense opportunity, ASJ partners with leaders and advocates to advance state criminal justice reform through policy advocacy, coalition building, research, education and strategic communications. ASJ also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence. ASJ’s sister organization, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ), also a project of Tides Center, has been leading state advocacy efforts to replace over-incarceration in California with new safety priorities for the last six years. With a substantial California staff and a strong track record, CSJ operates as ASJ’s flagship state advocacy effort. Additionally, the Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund, a project of Tides Advocacy, is the 501 (c) 4 arm of both ASJ and CSJ. Combined, ASJ and CSJ operate with over 60 staff.

Position Summary:
The Research Manager will be responsible for advancing the campaign goals through research, data analysis, crafting issue briefs and reports, tracking and analyzing key issues in state criminal justice and crime survivor issues. The Research Manager will provide support for staff to develop campaign strategy development and work collaboratively with the full team on a daily basis. Reporting to the Director of Research and Publications, the position will help complete research assignments, and will work closely with the President and Vice President of the organization, the Director of State Policy, and the State Policy Manager.

Primary Responsibilities:

Data analysis and the ability to explain analysis to a general audience (40%)

• Lead ongoing and special data analysis projects for the organization, including developing impact estimates for proposed and adopted policy changes
• Present research and data to internal and external audiences and stakeholders, or prepare the same for staff
• Support the research efforts of state-based partners including assisting with research design, analysis, and product review
• Present research and data to internal and external audiences and stakeholders, or prepare the same for staff

Writing research and information for a general audience (30%)

• Lead research, drafting and editing processes for materials on best practices in criminal justice, treatment and prevention and health-based approaches
• Ability to translate complex ideas, research results, and policy issues into accessible and compelling written content
• Work with the Director of Research and Publications, Chief Communications Officer, State Based Communications Director, National Communications Director to provide information to support communications work
• Maintain up-to-date and in-depth expertise in research related to recidivism reduction and sentencing policy, including alternatives to incarceration, with an ability to turn that expertise into short written materials, fact sheets, and internal and external publications
• Lead research, drafting and editing processes for materials on best practices in criminal justice, treatment and prevention and health-based approaches
• Conduct longer-term research and analysis of projects in support of organizational goals
• Support the research efforts of state-based partners including assisting with research design, analysis, and product review
• Liaise with and/or manage vendors and contractors on research projects and reports

A track record of rapid response (20 %)

• Conduct rapid response research for campaign strategy development, and materials to support legislative advocacy, and the development of proposals and reports
• Maintain up-to-date and in-depth expertise in research related to recidivism reduction and sentencing policy, including alternatives to incarceration, with an ability to turn that expertise into short written materials, fact sheets, and internal and external publications

Other Duties & Responsibilities:
Participation in the key organizational convenings that allow the work to be completed, such as staff meetings, staff retreats, weekly check-ins with the supervisor, team meetings, and other meetings as required by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 4 to 6 years of relevant experience. At least 3 years of professional experience in criminal justice research, health or related policy area to justice reform research
• Ability to produce high-quality content and research under tight deadlines
• Ability to thrive in a busy, multi-tasking, and time-pressured campaign environment
• Impeccable attention to detail and extremely high standards for accuracy
• Ability to translate complex ideas, research results, and policy issues into accessible and compelling written content
• The ability to clean and analyze large and complex data sets and convey findings to different audiences, both internal and external, including non-expert audiences
• Experience reviewing research and data in criminal justice, crime prevention and health policy contexts
• Analytical, results-oriented approach
• Ability to engage with an open mind, think critically, and problem-solve while seeing a project through to completion
• Experience working with diverse communities and a deep commitment to social and racial justice
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and listen and learn from feedback
• Excellent writing skills and verbal communications skills
• Proficiency using research platforms used to analyze data (e.g. Tableau, SAS, STATA, Python, SPSS, or SQL)
• High degree of familiarity with core areas of focus for the organization: criminal justice, public safety, and/or community/public health
• Prior experience managing or working closely with contractors or consultants to achieve research objectives and develop reports, facts sheets, policy briefs, etc.
• Expert knowledge and experience working in one or more of ASJ’s key states (AZ, CA, OH, MI, FL, IL, TX, PA and NY)

Physical Demands:
Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time. Travel will be required.

Work Environment:
Bay Area, California, New York, Washington D.C. or remote telecommute. Downtown office environment with open seating areas and individual offices. Standard work desks and furniture, fluorescent lighting. There is an elevator in the building. Located close to a train station. Work hours, dependent on deadlines, may sometimes include an occasional night or weekend assignments.

Compensation and Benefits:
Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Tides Center offers a competitive benefits package including health/vision/dental insurance, retirement 403b match benefit, and paid sick, holiday, and vacation leave.

To Apply:
Applications should be sent to Thomas Young (tyoung@cnpstaffing.com), Recruiter at Careers in Nonprofits with a reference to the job title, “Research Manager,” in the subject line. Please send a cover letter indicating your match to the stated job requirements and your resume as well as 3-4 references. Position open until filled. The Alliance for Safety and Justice, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.