Senior Policy Analyst, Stepping Up (Remote from Kansas or Surrounding Area)

Who we are:

The Council of State Governments Justice Center works across the country to develop research-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities. To further this mission, we work with partners inside and outside of government to reduce crime and incarceration among youth and adults in contact with the justice system. We bring people from diverse systems and perspectives together to improve policy and practice. And we transform data and research findings into meaningful insights for decision-makers.

We're focused on three strategic goals:

Break the cycle of incarceration.

Advance health, opportunity, and equity.

Use data to improve safety and justice.

When you join the CSG Justice Center, you join an organization that is uniquely positioned to cultivate innovation and drive data-driven reform nationally. We have over 170 employees based in more than 30 states who have decades of experience working in and with criminal, juvenile, and Tribal justice agencies. We have provided housing, mental health, and addiction services; served as educators and in workforce development agencies; and supported victims and survivors of crime. We have served governors, state legislators, and members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum. What binds us together is a shared commitment to our mission; to one another; to a common set of values; and to the national, bipartisan advisory board that guides our work.

Learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center.

How you'll fit in:

Through our Behavioral Health Division, we have led the Stepping Up initiative since May 2015 with partner organizations National Association of Counties (NACo) and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) and support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and other philanthropic organizations. Over 570 counties have signed on to reduce the number of people with serious mental illnesses as they enter jails and local justice systems from the point of a crisis call to community-based supervision.

Several states have taken a broader statewide approach to supporting and implementing Stepping Up, and in 2020, the Kansas Department of Aging and Disabilities launched a statewide Stepping Up Technical Assistance (TA) Center in partnership with the CSG Justice Center that is still in operation today. Through the Kansas Stepping Up TA Center, CSG staff provide training and technical assistance to counties across the state to support their efforts to identify, address, and reduce the prevalence of serious mental illness (SMI) in county jails.

In late 2023, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) partnered with the CSG Justice Center to pilot the first ever Stepping Up for Juvenile Justice Initiative to build upon the existing Stepping Up infrastructure in Kansas. More information about this Initiative can be found here: https://stepuptogether.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kansas-Stepping-Up-Two-Pager_Jan2024.pdf

The Senior Policy Analyst (SPA) we are hiring will play a key role in supporting both the existing adult-focused Stepping Up TA Center and the development and implementation of the Stepping Up Juvenile Justice TA Center in Kansas. In this role, the Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and managing technical assistance to the sites participating in both TA Centers. Additionally, the SPA will be responsible for managing the deliverables associated with both TA Centers, including managing the logistics and facilitating key stakeholder and workgroup meetings, conducting research and content development, preparing reports, and tracking activities and outcomes.

The SPA may also be responsible for providing other analytic support to the Behavioral Health division including technical assistance to grantee sites; occasionally conducting on-site technical assistance or data collection in state and local jurisdictions; and coordinating and participating in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country.

This is a fully remote position that requires regular travel by car to regions across Kansas, as frequently as once per month. Candidates who live in or near the state of Kansas are encouraged to apply.

What you'll do:

Specific responsibilities of the Stepping Up Senior Policy Analyst position:

Serve as a core project team member for the Kansas Stepping Up TA Center and the Juvenile Justice Stepping Up Pilot Initiative in coordination with the CSG Justice Center Stepping Up Program Director and Stepping Up team to ensure high quality and timeliness of completing deliverables set forth by the contract.

Review and synthesize policies and best practices to inform deliverable development.

Lead development and presentation of broad-based technical assistance, on-site visits and attendance at meetings and events to support the project.

Foster new and maintain existing relationships and coordinate closely with external partners, including the Kansas Department of Corrections, Kansas Department of Children and Families, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, and other Kansas agencies, organizations, and funders and state and local leaders to advance the project goals.

Develop written products, including policy briefs, memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly guide the application of data and research, policy options, research analysis, and best practice examples to policymakers to advance this work.

Monitor timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure contract deliverables are met.

Support internal coordination and collaboration amongst the Behavioral Health division and across other Justice Center teams, including the integration of new strategies, knowledge, and tools into technical assistance and distance learning mediums.

Collaborate with senior staff to develop long range strategies for the Behavioral Health division.

Research new funding opportunities and contribute to writing grant proposals.

Contribute to the development of Justice Center website content and strategize with staff and technical consultants on ways to improve web access and use.

Plan and participate in policy focused meetings of government officials, advocates, and national experts.

Identify and engage new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners to strengthen CSG Justice Center technical assistance.

Ensure that senior staff and where applicable, Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of the project goals.

Supervise program assistants and associates where appropriate.

Participate actively in staff discussions and strategic planning committees.

What you'll bring:

Ability to interact effectively with diverse people in different contexts and foster equity and inclusion through self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and valuing others

Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG Justice Center duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds

At least five years of work experience in the fields of behavioral health and/or criminal/juvenile justice and/or educational equivalency in a related field, such as counseling, criminal justice, law, psychology, public health, public administration, or social work

Demonstrated success in providing technical assistance, enabling engagement and collaboration, facilitation, and relationship management skills

Strategic planning and project development and management skills

Demonstrated knowledge of criminal justice and/or juvenile justice and behavioral health policy

Excellent writing and editing skills

Experience with performance measurement, research/evaluation, and data analysis

Demonstrated experience in policy formulation, analysis, advocacy, and application of research

Experience in leading/advising on system change

Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise and accessible manner

Excellent interpersonal skills, including confidence and maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, ability to form effective work relationships, and sense of humor

Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines

Willingness to travel averaging once or twice a quarter, mostly day trips, with occasional cross-country travel for staff gatherings, conferences, and other meetings

Knowledge of state and local adult and/or juvenile justice and behavioral health systems, specifically those systems in Kansas.

Reliable and secure internet/data connection and flexibility for using a personal device for internet connectivity for remote access and business travel. Personal computer and cost offset for internet is provided by CSG.

How you apply:

If you're interested in helping us drive change across the country, you must upload the following elements with your application:

Cover letter

Resume

At least three professional references

We will consider all paid and unpaid experience relative to this position, including internships, fellowships, and volunteer activities.

CSG believes that pay equity and pay transparency advance workplace fairness. Compensation will be equitable and based on experience and geography. The salary range for this position is $72,500 - $100,000. Salary ranges are subject to change based on work location and market conditions.

To learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center, and about our comprehensive benefit offerings, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, PSLF eligibility and more, please visit our website here.

We welcome and value diversity in our staff, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, protected veteran status, and personal experience with the criminal justice system.

CSG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. CSG participates in E-Verify.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://csg.applicantpro.com/jobs/3496144-937492.html