Project Manager, Advancing Data in Corrections (Hybrid or Remote)

CSG Justice Center

Project Manager, Advancing Data in Corrections

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:

The CSG Justice Center seeks a full-time project manager to provide expert guidance to state corrections leaders on adopting data analytic tools and helping to change practices to achieve public safety goals. This position is a first-level supervisor role that offers the opportunity to influence important advancements in criminal justice data and data driven-decision-making at the state level. The Advancing Data in Corrections initiative consists of two programs: Resident Analysts and the Virtual Academy. In addition to these two main programs, the project manager will work closely with teams working on our community supervision and technology projects, which provide innovative technology tools to supervision agencies. The products, projects, and services provided by the staff who work in this portfolio of programs help Departments of Corrections (DOCs) build the capacity to effectively use their own data. This empowers agency leaders to make better operational decisions, improve system outcomes, and communicate compelling narratives to staff, policymakers, and the public.

As a key part of the Resident Analyst program, the project manager will guide a team of staff providing wraparound support to early-career data analysts who are embedded for one year within a DOC. The project manager will collaborate with the embedded analysts and CSG Justice Center research staff and lead the development of detailed, complex technology development project plans and scopes of work and ensure that that projects stay on track and the work meaningfully aligns with the needs communicated by executive level staff to improve operational decisions.

An ideal candidate for this role will have knowledge of how criminal justice data systems work and the strengths and limitations of strategies that use quantitative data to spur change. They will have experience implementing new practices across teams, departments, or organizations and an understanding of strategies to shift organizational culture and change the way people do their jobs and be excited to mentor people earlier in their career.

What you'll do:

Specific responsibilities of the project manager include the following:

• Guide a team of staff providing wraparound support to early-career data analysts who are embedded for one year within a DOC.
• Work with DOCs who are receiving short-term embedded analysts to ensure placements are successful.
• Project manage three or more data analytic and technology projects, including planning, funder updates and reports, timelines, deliverables, supervision, meeting facilitation, and staff coordination.
• Co-develop technical scopes of work and ensure mutual understanding of feasibility and resources needed for project success.
• Monitor timelines and ensure technology development projects are on track and producing meaningful outcomes.
• Manage strong relationships with key agency staff.
• Supervise and develop the skills of 1-2 direct reports and provide direction for other project staff.
• Manage executive-level communications strategies with DOC leaders to ensure long-term buy-in for project goals.
• Mentor and provide guidance to data analysts in project management skills, communications, interpreting data, using data to make policy recommendations, and learning corrections environments.
• Help DOC leaders apply best practices from the field and research-informed strategies to identify and track key performance indicators and use that information to make concrete changes in practices to improve system outcomes.
• Manage complex external and internal relationships at all levels to advance project goals and build on past experience helping agencies institute new practices or shift culture.
• Demonstrate understanding of external factors, political environments, and disparate outcomes/treatments when moving project decisions forward and proposing new solutions, indicating an ability to lead larger initiatives.
• Identify roadblocks to project success and develop proactive solutions to address them.

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 six years of work experience in the field of criminal justice, including four years of management or policy analysis experience in the fields of criminal justice or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Experience in or knowledge of adult education or online learning a plus
• Experience managing technical projects or a demonstrated understanding of technology infrastructure, computer programming, administrative data, linking datasets, recoding and analyzing data preferred
• Training and technical assistance, data analysis, research, or policy analysis experience focusing on corrections or supervision agencies. Previous work with correctional or criminal justice data preferred
• Proven track record or strong mentorship and leadership skills. Ability to supervise remote staff, clarify workloads, and develop the skills and competencies of their direct reports
• A track record of effectively managing multiple projects and a comfort with uncertainty along with the ability to pivot as needed to advance projects
• Ability to solicit, facilitate, and lead new project ideas from team members in support of the project's overall strategic direction with division leadership
• Willingness to travel frequently (twice per month) to deliver technical assistance on site in states across the country
• Knowledge of best practices across corrections and supervision agencies and comfort working with corrections and supervision leaders to identify key metrics to track in order to achieve goals
• Reliable and secure internet/data connection and flexibility for using a personal device for internet connectivity during business travel (a cost offset is provided by the CSG Justice Center)

How you apply:

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

1. Resume (this should include a comprehensive list of related professional, internship, and volunteer experience with applicable dates)
2. 3 Application Questions
3. 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 $81,000 - $122,500. Salary ranges are subject to change based on work location and market conditions.

Our organization offers flexibility in work arrangements, allowing for remote work or a hybrid model. Candidates residing in the NYC metropolitan area will be considered for hybrid model employment.

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.