JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and managing technical assistance to federal grantees engaged in strategies to reform their state and county correctional systems at both the system and programmatic levels. These reforms aim to increase the post-release success of incarcerated individuals and those on community supervision and thereby reduce recidivism and improve public safety. The grantees' state and local correctional agencies and units of government have received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Second Chance Act of 2007. Awardees fall into one of three grant programs -- Statewide Recidivism Reduction (SRR), Innovations in Supervision Initiative, and Innovations in Reentry Initiative that would be supported by this position.
The position carries a caseload of grantees within one or more of the grant tracks that comprise the NRRC corrections portfolio. He /she works on multiple projects with a small team, and will focus on providing technical assistance including guidance, feedback, and on-site facilitation to corrections agencies and reentry service providers as they develop and implement comprehensive plans to reduce recidivism. The position will also work on products such as guides and webinars that share knowledge learned through technical assistance with the field at large.
This work requires navigating management, implementation, and policy challenges associated with statewide and specific jurisdictional system reform in criminal justice and prisoner reentry. The position will be responsible for in-depth analysis of relevant administrative policy, programmatic design and implementation, research, and occasionally, legislation. He or she will provide on-site, intensive technical assistance in state and local jurisdictions, sometimes leading a team of expert consultants; develop administrative policy options and advise agencies about related quality assurance and accountability practices; and coordinate and participate in politically sensitive meetings with high-ranking local, state, and federal officials, advocates, and other experts across the country.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities of the Senior Policy Analyst include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supporting and serving as the project lead for technical assistance initiatives in coordination with the project manager and other staff and ensure timeliness and high quality of deliverables;
- Leading technical assistance site visits;
- Supporting the coordination and collaboration amongst the corrections and reentry team as well as between the team and other parts of the Justice Center, including the integration of new strategies, knowledge, and tools into technical assistance and distance learning mediums.
- Fostering new and maintaining existing relationships and coordinate closely with external partners, such as the U.S. Departments of Justice, funders, partners, and state and local leaders to advance project goals;
- Developing written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers;
- Collaborating with senior staff to develop long range strategies to guide the Justice Center's Corrections & Reentry work;
- Working with wide range of stakeholders focused on city/county government criminal justice technical assistance efforts;
- Monitoring timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas;
- Researching new funding opportunities and contributing to writing grant proposals;
- Contributing to the development of Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultants on ways of using the web to promote policy goals;
- Planning and participating in policy-focused meetings of government officials, advocates, and national experts;
- Identifying and engaging new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners;
- Ensuring 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 project goals;
- Supervising program assistants and associates where appropriate;
- Participating actively in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrated success in technical assistance, engagement, facilitation, and relationship management skills;
- Strategic planning and project development and management skills;
- Demonstrated knowledge of corrections & reentry and criminal justice policy;
- Excellent research, writing, and editing skills and an analytical mind;
- Experience with performance measurement, research/evaluation, and data analysis;
- Demonstrated experience in policy formulation, analysis, advocacy, research or the like;
- Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise, accessible way;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor;
- Efficient, organized work style, and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines;
- Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
At least five years of project management, and policy analysis in combination with work experience in the field of corrections & reentry, and criminal justice.
Medical, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, Life, Paid Holidays, Paid Personal Time, Paid Sick Time, Paid Parental Leave